A judge is considering the fate of a new COVID-19 mask mandate in St. Louis County.
During a virtual court hearing Tuesday, attorneys argued over whether the St. Louis County Council had the authority to rescind a mask mandate imposed by county health officials.
The council voted last week to rescind a mask order issued by County Health Executive Sam Page, but Page insisted the mandate remain in place. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued to obtain a restraining order to block the mandate.
Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo said she would rule on the issue by the end of the day Tuesday.
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is pressing forward with efforts to allow schools to mandate face masks as coronavirus infections continue to rise in the state.
Hutchinson on Tuesday called the legislature back into session to consider revising a law he signed in April that prohibits mask mandates by schools and other governmental entities. Some lawmakers in the Republican-controlled body are opposing a mandate.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt discusses mask mandate lawsuit on ‘Fox News Primetime.’
A local judge granted a temporary restraining order Tuesday that will halt St. Louis County s mask mandate for at least the next two weeks.
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health issued a face covering order on July 26 amid rising COVID-19 cases, but the St. Louis County Council voted to terminate that order the next day.
Circuit Judge Ellen Nellie Ribaudo ruled Tuesday that there is a likelihood of success on the merits that the St. Louis County Counsel does have the authority to terminate the mask mandate.
Associated Press
St. Louis County residents will not be required to wear masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for at least two more weeks, after a judge issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday against a mask mandate that was issued last month.
Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo sided with Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who had sued to stop a mask mandate issued by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and county health officials. She set a hearing on a preliminary injunction for Aug. 17.
Hours after the ruling, Schmitt filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a recently reinstated mask mandate in Kansas City. The rule took effect Monday and was scheduled to last until at least Aug. 28.
CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) – St. Louis County residents will not be required to wear masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for at least two more weeks, after a judge issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday against a mask mandate that was issued last month.Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo sided with Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who had sued to stop a mask mandate issued by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and county health officials. She set a hearing on a preliminary injunction for Aug. 17.
The St. Louis County Council voted last week to rescind the mandate but Page insisted the mask requirement remained in effect.