The coronavirus global pandemic has transformed the way we live our lives, making social distancing, working from home, and wearing a mask the norm.
According to the CDC, wearing a mask out in public can protect you and your community by preventing COVID-19 respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and infecting others.
Most state Governors have issued mandatory mask requirements. Only 12 states – including Missouri – have not issued any statewide mask mandates.
So what are the mask requirements in the state of Missouri? The answer is that it depends on where you live.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has not issued a statewide mask mandate and left the decision to issue ordinances requiring face coverings up to local governments.
A mask ordinance can either be issued by a county or city – usually through the City Council or Board of Aldermen.
Below is a comprehensive list of county wide mask mandates across Missouri as of February 12, 2021. Note that ordinances can be issued by either a city or county, so it’s best to check both. For example, St. Louis County’s ordinance applies to all 88 municipalities within the county.
This page will be updated as new information is made available.
Missouri Mask Mandates by County:
St. Louis County
St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page issued an ordinance requiring individuals age five and older to wear a face covering in all county municipalities. The measure requires masks to be worn in businesses, on public transportation, while working out in fitness facilities, and practicing sports indoors.
St. Louis City
St. Louis City issued an ordinance requiring individuals age nine and older to wear a face covering inside public facilities, public transportation, and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Jackson County
Jackson County requires individuals age five and older to wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Adair County
Beginning November 23, 2020, masks are required to be worn in public indoor spaces when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Andrew County
In December 2020, the county issued an ordinance requiring face coverings to be worn by individuals age 10 and older in public places or with groups of 10 or more when social distancing is not possible. The order has been extended through February 28, 2021.
Boone County
Boone County issued a mask ordinance requiring residents 10 and older to wear a face covering when near those not in their household.
Cape County
A mask ordinance was issued in October 2020 requiring residents and visitors 10 and older to wear a face covering in indoor and outdoor public spaces when social distancing cannot be maintained. Exceptions are made for eating, drinking, and swimming. The mandate will expire when the county’s positive rate drops below 5 percent or two consecutive weeks or a vaccine is made widely available to the public.
Clay County
In July 2020, Clay County issued a mandate requiring individuals five and older to wear a face covering in indoor and outdoor spaces when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Cooper County
Cooper County requires individuals to wear masks when entering city buildings. The county strongly encourages residents to wear masks elsewhere.
Greene County/Springfield
Greene County and the city of Springfield issued an ordinance July 16, 2020, requiring face masks in “most places of public accommodation with limited exceptions.”
Grundy County
The county issued a mask ordinance requiring residents age 10 and older to wear a face covering any time they’re interacting with individuals not in their household. The public health order was extended February 12, 2021 and will be reevaluated in 60 days.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County issued an order requiring those age 10 and older to wear a face mask when in public spaces with individuals not in their household. The order was extended to February 25, 2021.
Johnson County
Johnson County issued an order September 2020 requiring face coverings to be worn in indoor public places. The ordinance will stay in place until further notice.
Lafayette County
On November 16, 2020, Lafayette County issued an ordinance requiring face coverings in indoor and outdoor public spaces. Exceptions are made for individuals actively eating and drinking, working in an office, and speaking at an event, so long as social distancing is maintained, as well as other criteria. The public health order will remain in effect until further notice.
Lincoln County
In December 2020, Lincoln County issued an ordinance requiring face coverings to be worn by individuals age 10 and older within the county while around individuals not in their household.
Livingston County
On November 20, 2020, Livingston County issued an ordinance requiring individuals age 7 and older within the county while around individuals not in their household.
Morgan County
The Morgan County Board of Education approved a mandate requiring masks in pre-K-12th grade schools.
Platte County
Platte County issued an ordinance November 23, 2020 requiring face masks to be worn in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.
As of February 12, 2021, the following Missouri counties do not have a countywide mask mandate in place. However, there may be local municipal ordinances within the county that could still require the wearing of a mask. Continue to check your local health department, and media outlets for the latest information:
- Atchison County
- Audrain County
- Barry County
- Barton County
- Bates County
- Benton County
- Bollinger County
- Buchanan County
- Butler County
- Caldwell County
- Callaway County
- Camden County
- Carroll County
- Carter County
- Cass County
- Cedar County
- Chariton County
- Christian County
- Clark County
- Clinton County
- Cole County
- Crawford County
- Dade County
- Dallas County
- Daviess County
- Dekalb County
- Dent County
- Douglas County
- Dunklin County
- Franklin County
- Gasconade County
- Gentry County
- Harrison County
- Henry County
- Hickory County
- Holt County
- Howard County
- Howell County
- Iron County
- Jasper County
- Knox County
- Laclede County
- Lawrence County
- Lewis County
- Linn County
- Macon County
- Madison County
- Maries County
- Marion County
- McDonald County
- Mercer County
- Miller County
- Mississippi County
- Moniteau County
- Monroe County
- Montgomery County
- New Madrid County
- Newton County
- Nodaway County
- Oregon County
- Osage County
- Pemiscot County
- Perry County
- Pettis County
- Phelps County
- Pike County
- Polk County
- Pulaski County
- Putnam County
- Ralls County
- Randolph County
- Ray County
- Reynolds County
- Ripley County
- St. Charles County
- St. Clair County
- St. Francois County
- Ste. Genevieve County
- Saline County
- Schuyler County
- Scotland County
- Scott County
- Shannon County
- Shelby County
- Stoddard County
- Stone County
- Sullivan County
- Taney County
- Texas County
- Vernon County
- Warren County
- Washington County
- Wayne County
- Webster County
- Worth County
- Wright County
Missouri Mask Mandates by City:
Branson
Branson requires individuals age 13 and older to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor public spaces. The order has been extended indefinitely.
Columbia
On July 6, 2020, Columbia City Council passed an ordinance requiring individuals age 10 and older to wear a mask when around people not in their household. Exceptions are made when exercising outdoors when social distancing can be maintained and actively eating and drinking.
Clinton
The city of Clinton released a November 2020 declaration that “strongly encourages individuals to use facial coverings in all settings where there is the possibility of exposure to non-household individuals.”
Fulton
Fulton City Council voted in December to require individuals age eight and older to wear a mask in public settings. The ordinance will be reevaluated after 90 days.
Joplin
On November 19, 2020, Joplin passed a mask ordinance requiring individuals to wear a mask in indoor businesses, public transportation, and outside when social distancing isn’t possible.
Kansas City
Kansas City requires all individuals in the city to wear a face covering when indoors with someone not from their household.
Maryville
On January 29, 2021, the Maryville City Council voted to continue its mask mandate for an additional 90 days.
Marshfield
In December 2020, the Marshfield Board of Aldermen voted to extend its face covering requirement for an additional 90 days.
North Kansas City
North Kansas City requires individuals age five and older to wear a face covering in indoor spaces and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Ozark
The city of Ozark requires individuals over the age of 11 to wear a face mask in public spaces. The order was extended December 7, 2020.
Springfield
Greene County and the city of Springfield issued an ordinance July 16, 2020, requiring face masks in “most places of public accommodation with limited exceptions.”
St. Joseph
St. Joseph passed an ordinance requiring individuals in indoor spaces around those not from their household to wear a face covering. On February 8, 2021, the mandate was extended an additional 60 days.
St. Louis City
St. Louis City issued an ordinance requiring individuals age nine and older to wear a face covering inside public facilities, public transportation, and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Washington
Washington issued an ordinance requiring individuals to wear a mask in public settings.