By a vote of 4-3, the St. Louis County Council approves new mask requirement

CLAYTON — The St. Louis County Council voted 4-3 along partisan lines Tuesday to enact a countywide mask requirement in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases that has pushed infection and hospitalization rates to record levels locally and across the country.

Council Republicans opposed the move, insisting it was illegal. And almost immediately, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican, announced he would sue to try to overturn the measure.

The order, which takes effect at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, requires masks in public indoor spaces for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people older than 5. The order remains in effect until amended or rescinded.

The move is meant to give legislative approval to a mask order the county rescinded Dec. 9 after a Cole County judge struck state regulations allowing local health departments to issue such orders. The county has appealed the ruling, which did not explicitly bar orders approved by local politicians.

Read more: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/by-a-vote-of-4-3-the-st-louis-county-council-approves-new-mask-requirement/article_23eb80ad-b847-503c-ac09-2af4c1d9c8aa.html