Action follows new masking recommendation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Areas with High Rates of COVID-19 Transmission, including Kansas City

Following new masking guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to curb the spread of COVID-19, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced July 28 that he will reinstate an indoor mask mandate for all persons aged five and older, regardless of vaccination status, in places of public accommodation, effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2 through at least 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28.

In light of recent litigation between the State of Missouri and the City and County of St. Louis, Mayor Lucas will also introduce a resolution in the weeks ahead for City Council support of emergency actions. Mayor Lucas stands with Mayor Tishaura Jones and County Executive Sam Page in protecting Missourians from the spread of COVID-19, according to his office.

“Since COVID-19 first entered our community, Kansas City has followed the guidance issued by our nation’s leading scientific experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and locally by our own Health Department and regional health care leaders,” Lucas said. “With a 15% increase in hospitalizations over the past week and a full vaccination rate of just 39% in Kansas City, the CDC and our own Health Department have issued recommendations that all persons—regardless of vaccination status—begin masking in all places of indoor public accommodation. As such, Kansas Citians will need to begin masking in all indoor public places on Monday to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and throughout Missouri.”

The most effective way to rid COVID-19 from the community is to get vaccinated, Lucas said. The City will continue its efforts to reach all residents in all neighborhoods about the importance of the vaccine.

“I applaud all who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine, and who have shared the importance of the vaccine with their friends and family—please keep talking with those close to you about how the vaccine is the best way to protect themselves and those around them and our community,” Lucas said. “I thank all Kansas Citians, our businesses, and our schools for understanding the reinstatement of the mask requirement is a necessary and immediate step we must take to protect our community.”

Kansas City Health Department Deputy Director Health Frank Thompson agreed vaccinations are the best of all prevention measures.

 “As long as transmission continues, variants will continue to develop,” Thompson said. “We don’t know what the next variant will look like, how virulent it will be, and that should concern everyone. Because less than 50 percent of Kansas City is vaccinated, and transmission is still occurring, Kansas Citians should wear a mask according to CDC guidance. The Kansas City metro area has so many jurisdictions, and few people stay in just one to live, work, and play.  No matter where you travel to in the metro, please continue to mask up. This is one important way we can all protect each other.”

Vaccination Opportunities:

The Kansas City Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the Health Department, 2400 Troost Avenue, each Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

Any Kansas Citian interested in being paired with a COVID-19 vaccine may also call 3-1-1 or visit www.kcmo.gov/coronavirus.

Later this week, Mayor Lucas will share additional details related to incentives for Kansas Citians who choose to take the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the Gucci Mane and Garth Brooks concerts, among other upcoming community events.