After the transit mask mandate went away, are you required to wear a mask anywhere in KC?
After a federal judge struck down the Transportation Security Administration’s mask mandate for the nation on Monday, the places where masks are required are dwindling.
It’s part of the general shift in both Kansas and Missouri toward approaching COVID-19 as an “endemic” instead of a “pandemic.” We explained what that means in this story here.
While masks are required in fewer settings, some local public health experts are still recommending masking to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially in crowded indoor settings.
“There are many factors there, both individual and as a community that we have to understand,” said Dr. Dana Hawkinson, infectious disease expert with KU Medical Center, in a briefing on Tuesday. “I think that moving forward, the way to go and the way to be the safest is to continue to do the masking.”
We checked in around KC to see where you still need to mask up. Here’s what we found.
No masks required on local transit anymore
Not only did airlines drop their mask mandates, but public transportation did as well. Kansas City’s streetcar and RideKC, the city’s bus service, also said that masks are now optional when riding.
Uber’s rideshare service announced an end to its mask mandate too. In a statement on Tuesday, the company said masks are now recommended not required. Lyft has also dropped its mask mandate, but encourages drivers and riders to continue to wear masks for safety reasons.
No more local mask mandates
Kansas City and its surrounding municipalities such as Independence, Lee’s Summit, Olathe and Roeland Park have all lifted their local mask mandates, leaving the choice to require or wear masks at the discretion of businesses and individuals.
Rules vary at area restaurants, theaters, hospitals and other businesses
Theater organizations like the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts and KCRep no longer require masks unless the performer asks visitors to wear them. However, KCRep staff will continue to wear masks while working.
Hospitals like the University of Kansas Health System and University Health still require visitors to wear masks while inside their facilities.
Most area businesses will continue to operate the way they have been for the past couple months. It’s up to them to decide if masks are required while you’re inside.
What about schools?
Most local school districts have ended their mask mandates or made masks optional for staff and students except for kids and teachers in Kansas City Public Schools’ Head Start program, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and Piper School District.
Are we done with masks for good? Is anyone worried about that?
The requirements and recommendations for masks in Kansas City may change, as the BA2 variant continues to pop up and increase COVID-19 cases in the metro.
The CDC lists Jackson County as low risk and Wyandotte County as high risk for COVID-19 levels. We broke down what that means for each county here.
Do you have any other questions about masks or COVID-19 in Kansas City? Let us know at kcq@kansascity.com.
