KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Friday that Kansas City, Missouri, is extending its requirement to wear face masks in public spaces indefinitely.
The requirement was put in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and originally was set to expire on Sunday. It mandates that anyone visiting public spaces in KCMO where a mask, especially when social distancing isn't possible.
COVID-19 cases in the Kansas City area continue to rise as businesses continue to reopen.
Lucas said the requirement will run in conjunction with the citywide state of emergency order, which is currently set to expire August 15 but could be extended.
KCMO will also keep its 50% capacity limit in place for bars and taverns.
When asked if there has been any consideration of closing bars and restaurants again, Lucas said city officials will continue to consult medical professionals and, if there are continued spikes in COVID-19, it is a possibility it it's determined that's what is best to safeguard residents' health.
The wearing of masks has been a hot-button issue for months now with some people divided on their use.
"Everything is mask now, mask this," KCMO resident Kema Meeks said. "Mask this, mask that, you can’t come here without a mask, I really think it’s just doing too much."
Other residents disagree.
"That’s not something you want to be selfish of," KCMO resident John Dobbins said. "I work outside all day. I work around other guys. It doesn’t bother me."
The mandate relies on businesses to enforce wearing masks and remind customers to do so.
"About 80% of them have a mask on and, if it’s not dense, I don’t say anything," Tom Wayne, owner of Prospero's Books on West 39th Street, said.
Other businesses, including Emilie's French Teas in Waldo, believe the city-wide mandate is helpful if they have to tell someone to wear a mask.
"Everybody has to do it ,so it’s easier for us to re-enforce it," owner Emilie Jackson said.
KCMO Health Department Director Dr. Rex Archer said that consistently wearing masks should help prevent COVD-19's spread, helping get kids back to school and fans back to sporting events.
During his press conference, Lucas also provided updates on a few other ways the city has responded to the pandemic.
He said the small business relief fund that Kansas City created has been completely distributed.
According to Lucas, 128 businesses applied for the loans, and 28 businesses were awarded loans.
Small businesses in the Clay County portion of Kansas City can apply for $1.5 million of funds provided by Clay County through the CARES ACT. That information can be found at edckc.com.
Jackson County has yet to disperse most of the $122 million it received in CARES Act funding, which must be used by the end of the year.
Clay County is also providing $1 million in funding for housing rental and nutrition services, which can be obtained through calling 311.
In an order to continue monitoring the rising cases in Kansas City, COVID-19 testing is being provided for restaurant workers free of charge. Any Missouri resident in the food service industry can call 311 to schedule an appointment.
A large-scale testing event will also be held next week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday at the KC Homefield Sports Facility.
Preregistration is required for the event and can be completed online at kcmo.gov or by calling 877-435-8411 or 311.
