Hundreds of people, mostly unmasked, gathered at a St. Louis County Council meeting last week to protest a new mask mandate. St. Louis health officials confirmed this weekend that an attendee from St. Louis tested positive for the coronavirus, and they worry the event may spark a wider outbreak of the virus.
Chad Davis
/ St. Louis Public Radio
Originally published on August 3, 2021 4:39 pm
A circuit judge Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order blocking St. Louis County’s indoor mask mandate — which only went into effect last week.
Representatives for Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and St. Louis County argued
in court Tuesday morning. The attorney general’s office said the county’s mask order violated a new state law that restricts local leaders from issuing public health orders for businesses, churches and schools. County representatives said the mandate didn’t violate the new law because mask mandates don’t restrict or close businesses.