WATCH: Boone County receives 36 mask ordinance complaints in first week

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services has received 36 complaints related to a new city mask requirement, the department's assistant director said Thursday.

Scott Clardy appeared live on ABC 17 News at 5 to answer questions about the COVID-19 pandemic and Columbia's mask ordinance. The requirement took effect on Friday. Violators face potential fines.

Clardy said despite the complaints, he feels most people are following the new law. Clardy said he has observed widespread mask wearing in the last week.

He said he is optimistic the wider use of masks will bring down new COVID-19 cases. The county has seen a major surge over the past several weeks.