City of Independence, Missouri
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City of Independence issues Health Order encouraging masks for everyone, announcing City facility changes

The City of Independence Mayor Eileen Weir in collaboration with the Independence Health Director has issued a Health Order formalizing the Public Health Advisory issued on July 9 and providing additional resources to businesses and citizens in the region. This order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 29.

“The new CDC recommendations reaffirm the Public Health Advisory the City of Independence issued on July 9,” Mayor Eileen Weir said. “We have seen troubling data for our region – with watershed testing nearly doubling for cases of the Delta Variant and regional hospitals at capacity. Missouri is a hot zone for COVID-19, and we all need to do what we can to protect one another, particularly those children under 12 who cannot yet be vaccinated. I continue to encourage everyone, regardless of vaccine status, to wear a mask while in indoor spaces. Beginning on August 2, we are expanding access to Independence Health Department vaccine clinics across the City with options five days a week. We are also exploring resources to provide more testing options in our area.”

Key points of the Independence Health Order include:

  • Everyone is encouraged to wear masks while indoors and to avoid large groups or other crowd-based activities.
  • All businesses are encouraged to require masks of their employees and guests when indoors. Further businesses are encouraged to promote vaccination among their staff.

Additionally, the City of Independence announced today that beginning on July 29 masks will be required in all City facilities including City Hall, Police Headquarters, Independence Utility Center, Sermon Center, Truman Memorial Building, Palmer Center, Independence Uptown Market, and the Cable Dahmer Arena. Exceptions to this mask requirement include:

  • Minors below the age of 5
  • Individuals who have disabilities for which masks constitute a substantial impairment to their health and well-being based upon medical, behavioral, or legal direction and for whom an accommodation cannot be made to allow business to be conducted remotely, curbside, or outdoors; and
  • Individuals who are actively engaged in consuming food or drink while remaining seated.
  • Professional athletes actively engaged in high-intensity, organized game play. Masks are required at all other times in gyms and fitness facilities without further exception.

Please note at this time there are no changes to City facility hours.

“We are closely monitoring the changes occurring in our area,” Mayor Weir said. “We will have Independence data on our website for our residents and stakeholders later this week. Our city remains steadfast in protecting the health of our citizens, as we have throughout the on-going global pandemic. I will review the health order with our staff weekly and will make changes as necessary as we work through this surge. Please continue to do all you can to protect yourself and your neighbors. If you have not already, please consider getting a vaccine and talking to a trusted healthcare provider to answer any questions you might have. Stay home if you are sick, get tested if any symptoms resemble COVID-19, and regularly wash your hands. Our community is relying on each of us to do our part by complying with the city recommendations.”

For more vaccine information, visit indep.us/vaccines. For other COVID-19 related information from the City of Independence visit indep.us/coronavirus.