A mandatory mask order for the entirety of St. Lucie County is set to go into effect on Wednesday.

According to officials, the mayor’s executive order does have a downside to it, that it carries criminal penalties for people who violate the order. However, county officials say the mayor’s intent is not to have those criminal penalties enforced.

St. Lucie County officials held a news conference to discuss the decision as Florida saw more than 12,000 coronavirus cases Monday.

“The time for politics is over,” said one official during the news conference.

Hospital officials say one of their concerns with younger people who contract the virus are long-lasting side effects, including brain aneurysms.