A local Florida sheriff has ordered officers to stop wearing face masks while on duty, sparking concerns on a day the state recorded a new daily record for coronavirus deaths.
Sheriff Billy Woods from Florida's Marion County also told visitors they will be thrown out of the sheriff's office if they don't remove their face masks.
Florida is the epicentre of a surging coronavirus outbreak and has the second highest number of infections in the US, ahead of New York and behind only California.
The state on Tuesday recorded a daily death toll of 276 - the same day Mr Woods sent the order directing officers to remove their masks.
"So, as for us, my order will stand as is when you are on-duty/working as my employee and representing my office, masks will not be worn," Mr Woods wrote.
Mr Woods said the purpose of the order was to improve communication with the public and to broker trust with police.
He also suggested the science wasn't settled on the benefits of wearing a mask.
"The fact is, the amount of professionals that give the reason why we should, I can find the exact same amount of professionals that say why we shouldn't," he wrote.
Mr Woods did encourage officers to wear a mask in certain select situations, such as when responding to an incident at a nursing home, inside hospitals, or when dealing with the elderly.
US President Donald Trump, who was initially reluctant to wear a face mask, has encouraged Americans to wear a mask if they cannot maintain social distance.
"Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact. They will have an effect and we need everything we can get," he said in July.
Leading medical experts across the globe, including in Australia, have stressed the need for people to wear masks to halt the spread of the disease.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
