I'm thinking this move is purely political virtue signalling..

What's happening before the mandatory date? The virus isn't prevalent? It isn't infecting surfaces/individuals?

Why is it on that specific day that one must wear a mask to protect themselves and others?

The virus is clearly a form of intelligent life... It can decide not to infect BLM "peaceful" protesters and now it only becomes a threat at a certain date, until I'm assuming the vaccine comes?