Branson plans to repeal its face mask ordinance in two months.
The Branson Board of Alderman voted 4 to 2 to repeal the ordinance requiring face masks and social distancing starting May 24.
That’s later than originally proposed, but just before peak tourist season.
Once the ordinance is repealed, the city is asking businesses to mandate their own requirements for face masks for customers and employees.
Press Release
In a double read, the Branson Board of Aldermen voted in favor of an ordinance that would repeal Chapter 58 of the Branson Municipal Code pertaining to communicable diseases and face coverings that nullifies the required use of face coverings in public spaces, effective May 24, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting that was held on March 23, 2021. This amendment will take effect May 24, 2021, to account for the statewide vaccination plan.
Branson Mayor, Edd Akers sponsored this ordinance because of the following:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown a significant decrease in weekly COVID-19 cases since late 2020 for Missouri and is forecasting a continued decline as of March 17, 2021.
As of March 17, 2021, 20.0% of Missouri, 13.8% of Taney County, and 17.5% of Stone County residents have initiated COVID-19 vaccination.
The CDC has provided their Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated people, which relax the use of face coverings and physical distancing for those individuals that are fully vaccinated.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has announced moving to Phase 3, which will open vaccine eligibility to all Missouri adults, citing significant increases in vaccines coming to the state.
The City of Branson would like to encourage local businesses to mandate their own safety requirements for both staff and customers to include the CDC and the State of Missouri recommendations for COVID-19 prevention, which includes the use of face coverings, social distancing and frequent hand washing or sanitization. The City of Branson would also like to encourage residents and businesses to sign up to get a vaccine through the Taney County Health Department here: https://www.taneycohealth.org/covid19-vaccine or through your healthcare provider.
The Branson Board of Aldermen voted to mandate face coverings in public spaces on July 28, 2020, with the ordinance going into effect on July 31, 2020. The Board then voted to extend the face covering mandate on September 8, 2020, and again on October 13, 2020.
