KANSAS CITY (AP) — Health officials are recommending that Kansas City extend its mask mandate for at least a little bit longer.
Frank Thompson, interim health director, told the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee on Wednesday that cases have seen a downward trend since the mask order was implemented in August and that the city is in a “much better" place than it was a month ago.
But the health department recommended the city maintain the mask order until it no longer is in the high risk threshold defined by the Centers for Disease Control. The mandate applies to those over the age of 5 in indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status, with some exemptions.
Thompson said Kansas City still has a “long way to go” in vaccinating residents. Areas with the highest case rates continue to be those that also have the lowest vaccination rates, he said. He added that just about every COVID-19 hospitalization is preventable with the protection offered by vaccines.
The City Council will meet and vote on whether to extend the mandate Thursday. Due to new Missouri law, public health restrictions are required to be reviewed by the council every 30 days.