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.
(The New York Times provides interactive maps of COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates in all 50 states.)
So what are the mask requirements in the state of Missouri? The answer 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 May 4, 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.
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.
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. On April 23, the order was amended to no longer require masks outdoors.
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.”
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.
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 May 4, 2021, the following counties lifted their mask mandates or allowed them to expire:
- Adair County
- Andrew County
- Cape County
- Grundy County
- Jefferson County
- Johnson County
- Lincoln County
- Livingston County
The following Missouri counties have not issued a countywide mask mandate. 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:
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.
Kansas City
Kansas City requires all individuals in the city to wear a face covering when indoors with someone not from their household.
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.
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. 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.
As of May 4, 2021, the following cities lifted their mask mandates or allowed them to expire:
- Branson
- Clinton
- Fulton
- Joplin
- Maryville
- Marshfield
- Ozark
- St. Joseph
- Washington