Debate Over Renewed Mask Mandate In St. Louis, Missouri

There has been pushback from several elected officials with some attempting to reverse the mandate amid an increase in COVID-19 cases statewide.

The St. Louis area became one of the first in the country to reintroduce mask mandates.  Despite pushback from some elected officials, face coverings became mandatory Monday in indoor public places and on public transportation in St. Louis city and St. Louis County for everyone age 5 or older — even for those who are vaccinated. The decision comes as both of Missouri's urban areas see a big uptick in coronavirus hospitalizations that began in rural areas of the state, especially in southwestern Missouri.