Columbia and Boone County’s health order that has required masks in public places for most of the past year expired at 11:59 a.m. Wednesday.
Masks are still required in city and county buildings, at MU and in Columbia Public Schools buildings. Businesses, however, can make their own decisions about requirements.
As COVID-19 case numbers have decreased and vaccination numbers have increased, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services decided to move away from the ordinance, instead favoring recommendations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends people continue to wear masks while inside public spaces.
Many businesses took to social media leading up to the order’s expiration to lay out their plans. Some will continue requiring masks to enter, while others are leaving it up to the customers.