KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Starting Monday, you have to wear a mask when you go into most buildings within the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri.
Mayor Quinton Lucas announced the new rule Friday in his latest attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the area.
The rule says you must wear a face covering while inside a building where six feet of separation is not possible between coworkers and/or the public. The rule applies to retail stores (like grocery stores and malls), special events, public transportation, office buildings, government buildings and more.
Lucas said the Kansas City area is seeing a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and there’s proof wearing masks prevents the spread of the virus.
“This isn’t a political issue, instead it’s an issue that’s keeping people safe and hopefully saving lives,” he said Friday.
The city’s health department will take the lead in enforcing the rule. But the mayor wants businesses to be the ones holding their customers accountable and not letting people inside unless they’re wearing a mask.
Exceptions to the requirement include:
- Minors, with guidance that children older than two should wear a mask
- People with disability that either prevent them from comfortable wearing or taking off face coverings, or prevent them from communicating while wearing masks
- People with respiratory conditions or breathing trouble
- People who have been told by health professionals not to wear face coverings
- People seated in a restaurant or tavern and actively consuming food or drink while adequately distanced
Reaction to the rule has been mixed among the public and business leaders.
For more information on the requirement, click here.
