Another area city is now requiring face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. By a 3-2 vote Wednesday evening, the West Plains City Council approved an ordinance immediately making clean coverings mandatory for anyone in the city ages 10 and older.
The ordinance will remain in effect through Feb. 2. Mayor Jack Pahlmann will have the authority to suspend its enforcement if West Plains’ 14-day positivity rate falls below 5% for at least seven consecutive days.
Mayor Pahlmann is encouraging the ordinance’s enforcement to be administered by education and an opportunity for voluntary compliance. The measures include a warning and a civil citation. If convicted, a fine of up to $100 could be assessed.
West Plains’ ordinance comes just over three months after Branson’s mask mandate was approved. The Branson Board of Alderman voted 4-1 on July 28 to approve an ordinance requiring face coverings for people ages 13 and older, with some exceptions.
West Plains’ mandate has several exceptions as well, including scenarios where an individual is able to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others. Click here for the full details and exceptions to the ordinance.
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