I've been plenty of places where masks are "required" and nobody gives a shit. Sarah is the health reporter at St. Louis Public Radio. Schools with immunocompromised faculty or children too young to be vaccinated might also keep their requirements for face coverings, he said. Still, he thinks the restaurant groups vaccine requirement for indoor reservations, announced in July, will stay in place for the time being. St. Louis forecast: Mostly clear tonight into Sunday, warmer afternoons through Monday. COVID-19 Coronavirus Information - St. Louis Copyright 2022 KMOV. Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. In a press conference Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee said . When worn properly, facemasksprimarily contain exhaled respiratory droplets and particles, while providing some protection against inhaling materials exhaled by others. Under state law, the citys Board of Aldermen has had to periodically vote to extend the July mandate. Mandate Ends in St. Louis on Anniversary of First Mo. 470 were here. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Its board chairman says it does absolutely nothing for our neighborhood.. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Why are they allowed to say the same lies over and over again? She and her brother Ignatius Harding were visiting the Arch from out of town and made sure to have their masks on. Designed to meet international safety standards. The total number of patients with COVID-19 remained unchanged at 203 hospitals that are part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. Asked why the city doesnt end the mandate before then, Davis said city attorneys had told her there isnt a clear legal authority for us to immediately stop it. St. Louis County drops mask mandate with COVID cases waning - KSHB The new guidance that the CDC provided last week has helped us to understand what the landscape is to come, she said. Bush's campaign paid her now-husband, Cortney Merritts, $60,000 for security in 2022 despite him not having a private security license, which is needed to conduct such services in the St. Louis . Doctors Clay Dunagan and Alexander Garza, co-leaders of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, discuss vaccinations, the lifting of mask mandates, and COVID-19 statistics. The best states in the U.S. come from coast to coast. We have an entire side of town that has been left decayed because of the color of the skin of the individuals who occupy that side of town, he said. And well be prepared for that.. The current order expires Saturday, March 5, at 11:59 p.m. That's why, starting Monday, anyone visiting the Gateway Arch will be required to wear masks inside all park buildings regardless of vaccination status. Wearing masks outdoors is strongly encouraged, especially in group settings. Later in the meeting, Alderman Brandon Bosley, 3rd Ward, spoke for more than 16 minutes on Black History Month. . In January, St. Louis County board members voted to approve the mandate after weeks of infighting. Long-Term Mask Mandate? - OSHAToday ST. LOUIS (AP) On the second anniversary of Missouri's first COVID-19 case, St. Louis city's mask mandate has ended. Isn't this the same county council that proudly and loudly celebrated the rescinding of a previous mask mandate? Learn More. When asked about coordination between . The city of St. Louis' mask mandate is scheduled to expire March 6, and its Board of Aldermen has not yet been asked by Mayor Tishaura Jones to renew it, an official said. Just days after St. Louis County dropped its mask mandate, St. Louis City is following suit. City Hall and city offices will still require masks for employees and visitors in indoor common areas and spaces. Comments are helpful! Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, St. Louis' health director, on Monday told the Board of Aldermens Health and Human Services Committee that city officials could drop mask requirements given the new CDC guidance. Director of Health for the City of St. Louis Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis said the priority must still be a community harm reduction approach because we are still not out of the woods.. Were optimistic weve seen the worst of this, he said. Being able to lift the mask mandate is an encouraging step, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page told reporters Wednesday. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The district said it will monitor virus rates closely and remain ready to shift protocols if needed. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. asked a Missouri judge to overturn the countys mask mandate, Safety advocates welcome promise of St. Louis traffic fixes, but want quick action, Willing to fight, scratch and bite, St. Louis City SC is ready for its CityPark debut, Parson says crime in St. Louis is hurting Missouris image, Missouri House passes bill limiting foreign ownership of farmland, Science backs mask mandates. Thirty minutes ago, St. Louis Countys mask mandate was officially lifted, after being in place for nearly 2 months, said Page. St. Louis Health Department Director Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis on Thursday, March 3, 2022, announces the city will allow its mask mandate to expire on Saturday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m. St. Louis indoor mask mandate will end at 11:59 p.m. Saturday I dont think anyone has any idea if its mandated or not at any given time so its just treated as voluntary tho most do wear them at least. Republican politicians on the countys board have criticized the mask mandate on the grounds that county officials dont have the authority to pass such a rule. ST. LOUIS St. Louis, the last jurisdiction with an indoor mask requirement in the metropolitan area, will be ending its mandate at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, the citys health director announced Thursday. voted to approve the mandate after weeks of infighting. It's a historic elec, The bill specifically targets major thoroughfares such as Kingshighway, Grand and Jefferson Avenue, as well as the city's most dangerous inter. Dr. Fredrick Echols, acting health director, will remain in the No. . And she said she doesnt want to give up on the protection. St. Louis County ends mask mandate, St. Louis City expected to follow, St. Louis Fire Department K9 dies during search and rescue mission, Woman shot in attempted robbery at St. Peters Schnucks, No active threat after barges carrying anhydrous ammonia break free in Lincoln County, Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis. Based on those metrics, the mandate will expire, she said. Earlier this month, a judge in St. Louis County denied Schmitts request for a preliminary injunction that would remove the mask mandate and dismissed all but one count of the lawsuit against the county. Page said some businesses and schools might still keep mask mandates in place, depending on the customers they serve. These maps and charts show the spread of and vaccination rates against COVID-19 in Missouri and Illinois. "There was a couple of people probably around my age, that have them on. Some business owners in the city reacted positively to the news. St. Louis County ended its mask mandate last week, and the St. Louis city's mandate came to an end on Monday. Local residents are also trying to make sense of the mask mandate potentially ending. The department still recommends wearing a mask in public spaces to protect themselves and high-risk groups, including the elderly, immunocompromised, children under five and who are not able to get the vaccine, those in congregate living facilities, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. A surprising number of shoppers continued to wear a mask despite the lack of a requirement. Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org. Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, in an online news briefing, said her department is following new recommendations issued last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt asked a Missouri judge to overturn the countys mask mandate. St. Louis County was the site of the state's first confirmed coronavirus case . Please check out our sidebar and wiki for a plethora of knowledge. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. This is just a situation that is mind-boggling, said Lisa Middlebrook, D-2nd Ward. I would not call this getting back to normal. St. Louis County was the site of the state's first confirmed coronavirus case on March 7, 2020. "I think we should take full protection of everything we can in our disposition and that means masking indoors as well as getting vaccinated and boosted if you're eligible," Manian said. The Department of Health urges everyone to wear a mask in public settings, especially when the Community and Transmission levels are high. Davis declined to comment on Echols job status. Reuters, 4 killed, 4 critically injured in crash at South Grand Boulevard and Forest Park Avenue, Parents push back on allegations against St. Louis transgender center. "Boosters are really going to be crucial in terms of preventing or trying to reduce our chance of getting infection and winding up in the hospital," Manian said. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). ST. LOUIS St. Louis City has officially ended its mask mandate. The percent positivity rate was at 4.6%, down from a peak of 35.7%, with the goal being 5% or smaller, CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: Missouri adds nearly 3,500 cases in its weekly report; Arkansas adds 250+ daily new cases, Health Minute: First at-home flu and COVID test authorized, Colchester grower recognized for pest management prowess, Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis. For more information or for questions about travel requirements in Puerto Rico, you can contact our traveler help center at: 939-592-5115 | infoviajeros@salud.pr.gov. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. ST. LOUIS A spike in COVID-19 cases is prompting some businesses and at least one major attraction to bring back mask requirements. In a statementlast week, the citys department of health said the mask mandate would expire on Saturday, March 5, at 11:59 p.m. because of the decline in number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and positivity percentage rate, along with updated guidance from the CDC. State law requires local governing bodies to approve extensions of health orders affecting businesses. Ill probably have to switch from mandated to strongly recommended, she said. CLAYTON, Mo. LOUIS (AP) On the second anniversary of Missouri 's first COVID-19 case, St. Louis city's mask mandate has ended. Page and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones last July reinstated mask mandates in public spaces as coronavirus cases rose due to the contagious delta variant of the virus. I still wear it just in case. Missouri AG sues over St. Louis area mask mandate | AP News View CDC guidance on mask wearing [www.cdc.gov]. St. Louis County officials are planning to put an end to the county's mask mandate for public indoor spaces, County Executive Sam Page announced Wednesday. - St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page is celebrating a milestone today. This content is available in the following format: City of St. Louis Department of Health Masking Guidelines PDF The current executive orders, including requiring the wearing of facial coverings (masks) in indoor spaces are available here. Representatives of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen say theyre waiting on similar guidance from city health officials. I've been here two days," Luann Harding said. Public health is by definition about community prevention. By. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitts lawsuit challenging the city health order remains pending in St. Louis Circuit Court. Under the new CDC recommendations, the federal agency classifies counties as low, medium or high COVID-19 risk, based on the rates of new hospital admissions, the portion of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and the rate of new cases. The mask mandate St. Louis officials put in place to protect residents against the coronavirus will expire on Sunday, but the city's health director still thinks people should wear a mask indoors, even if there is no official requirement.