Kansas City leaders rescind mask mandate outside of schools

The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council has rescinded its order requiring masks in public places to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but masks will still be required for both kids and adults in schools, and private businesses still can choose to require them.

The City Council voted 11-2 on Thursday to continue to require masks in school buildings and on school buses through Dec. 2, The Kansas City Star reported. A mask order for everyone 5 years and older expired Thursday afternoon.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said the COVID-19 case numbers for adults have trended down, while numbers for children have gone up. Nearly 49% of Kansas Citians have been vaccinated, according to the health department.

There continue to be mask rules in place for city buildings, federal buildings and the Kansas City International Airport.

KCUR-FM reports the move puts Kansas City’s guidance at odds with the Jackson County Legislature, which voted on Monday to extend the county mask mandate for another three weeks.