LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. — Face masks are required in Lincoln County after the county's health department board of trustees approved new measures Wednesday aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. The order took effect on Friday.
Those who are 10 years old or older must wear a face mask "any time they are, or will be, in contact with other people in public indoor and outdoor spaces, who are not members of their household," according to the press release from the county.
Businesses must post signage that masks are required upon entry.
The order is part of the county's "COVID Stops with Me" campaign and it is in effect until March 31 or until conditions improve within the county.
The county is currently under an "extreme risk advisory" for COVID-19, under Missouri's most recent guidance. The county's positivity rate is 28.2%.
5 On Your Side's Robert Townsend spoke to several people in Lincoln County.
“I think it’s a good idea. I think that if anything can be prevented then what’s the point in not taking that extra step,” Samantha Vanhose said.
“I think it’s a good thing, but I personally don’t think it’s going stay in effect because a lot of people aren’t going to like it,” Gary Dixon said.
“It’s sort of underscores a level of responsibility. It’s an individual hazard that can have positive health concerns, and, so we’re hoping people will do the right thing,” said Brett Siefert, Lincoln County’s Health Administrator.
Officials hope by requiring people to mask up will slow the spread of the virus and bring the rising COVID-19 numbers down in Lincoln County.
“Late summer and into fall we saw our numbers go up at a faster rate and indeed that’s just getting steeper and steeper. Through the holiday season, we expect to see some surge activity. It’s hard to imagine a reasonable person looking at the facts that are out there and not realizing that the data is just way too strong to really say masking has no effect,” Siefert said.
Missouri does not have a statewide mask mandate. Gov. Mike Parson has maintained that he will leave it to local leaders to make those decisions.
However, local jurisdictions have begun adopting mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. Franklin and Jefferson counties approved mask mandates this month. St. Louis and St. Louis County have had mask mandates in place since this summer.
St. Charles County does not have a mask mandate in place.
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann shared the following statement on Wednesday,
“I’d like to see people wear a mask, social distance, avoid big crowds, limit groups…do all of those things, and do them voluntarily. I have said numerous times that I don’t think County Government should tell people what to do. Everyone needs to act responsibly and all businesses need to follow recommended guidelines – and the majority of them do. But if some continue to not follow the guidelines, and the number of hospitalizations continue to increase as they have recently, then County government may have to step in with further restrictions.”
Illinois has had a statewide mask mandate for months. The City of Edwardsville recently approved an ordinance that people caught not wearing a mask could get fined.
For more information on Lincoln County's order, click here.