The City of Seward issued a reminder Monday that the city requires individuals to wear face coverings per an emergency ordinance passed last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city has received numerous complaints about people and business staff not wearing face coverings, which are required in open, public spaces, the city said in a release.

The ordinance is set to expire on Feb. 23, at which point the city council may vote to extend it.

“Lots of people in Seward have embraced mask wearing as a simple and effective thing to do to help prevent the spread of the virus,” said Seward public information officer Brenda Ballou.

Ballou added that Seward Mayor Christy Terry has said that wearing face masks is the “least invasive thing” members of the community can do to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

As of Monday, Seward was the only city on the peninsula to have required members of the community to wear face coverings.

Ballou also noted the recent death of Todd Brewer, who served as Seward schools’ activities bus driver and unofficial photographer, who died last month due to COVID-19.

“The students loved him, he was a big supporter of the athletics programs, and was generally beloved by everyone who knew him,” Ballou said. “His passing hit home for a lot of people.”

Eastern peninsula schools, including Seward elementary, middle and high schools became the first on the peninsula to drop out of high-risk level, allowing all students to return to in-person classes five days a week on Monday. The city reported three new COVID-19 cases on Monday independently of the state, which reported two new cases on the peninsula-wide on Monday.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.