Springfield City Council members will vote on a measure to extend the city’s masking ordinance on Monday, December 14, 2020.
The current mask ordinance is set to expire on January 9, 2021. If passed, the new ordinance would extend the mandate through April of 2021.
At the City Council lunch held Tuesday, December 8, 2020, Council members heard from local health leaders and discussed possible changes to the ordinance.
Another proposed update to the ordinance is how Springfield Police enforce the mask mandate. Springfield City Manager Jason Gage said since the COVID-19 pandemic is moving into a phase that could put pressure on our healthcare system, it’s time to “elevate our enforcement.”
Gage said the city is looking at issuing more citations. Up to this point, the city and Springfield Police Department have been taking a complaint-based approach, and opting to educate, instead of issue citations for violators.
