ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Starting Monday in St. Louis County younger kids will have to start following the public face mask mandate.
The minimum age will be lowered to include anyone over the age of 5-years-old. It was previously anyone over 9-years-old.
There are also new requirements for schools and businesses. The new mandates include that businesses must "deny entry" to anyone not wearing a proper face mask.
"Modifying the language from "authorizing", to "must deny" entry, empowers the businesses to enforce the requirement," a press release states.
For schools, face mask will now be required for everyone inside school buildings grades kindergarten through 12th-grade.
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health reports that it has received many complaints that some businesses are not requiring face coverings.
Here's a list of the newly announced mandates:
- Requires masks to be worn in educational institutions, public or private, in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12).
- There are a few times during the school day that a student can remove their masks:
- While at recess or in physical education class, as long as students are at least 6 feet apart;
- While participating in band, choir, or music class, as long as students are at least 6 feet apart;
- While consuming food or drink as long as students are at least 6 feet apart; and
- In accordance with DPH's Youth Sport Guidelines while participating in a school sponsored sport.
- The Order changes the age for children to wear masks in public accommodations from over the age of 9 to over the age of 5 - to reflect the requirement now in schools. If a 5 year old is attending kindergarten they must wear a face covering.
- The Order specifically states that businesses "must" deny entry to customers who refuse to wear a face covering. Modifying the language from "authorizing", to "must deny" entry, empowers the businesses to enforce the requirement.
The amended orders will be posted online at stlcorona.com later today.
© 2020 KMOX (Entercom). All rights reserved
