No individuals charged with violations of Columbia COVID-19 mask ordinance

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia city prosecutor's office says no individuals have been charged with violations of a Columbia ordinance requiring a mask in public.

However, nine businesses have been served with violation notices related to the ordinance.

The mask order went into effect July 10 and is meant to slow down the spread of COVID-19 by requiring that people wear masks in public and inside businesses when social distancing can't be maintained. The city and Boone County have experienced a sustained surge in cases this summer.

The city's website lists several businesses in Boone County that have been served a notice of violation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Out of the 12 businesses that have been served a violation, nine were because of mask ordinance violations.

As of Friday, KFC, Brookside Midtown, Silverball, Tiger Barber & Hairstyle Shop, U-Haul of Missouri, Midwest Petroleum, Plaza Tire, Maxwell Family Chiropractic and Elite Barber Shop had been served with violation notices.

Columbia/Boone County Health and Human Services Assistant Director Scott Clardy confirmed that no individuals have been cited, since there is no need for proof if a person has an exemption for wearing a mask.

“As long as there are exemptions and we dont require people to carry proof of exemption, how would we enforce it," he said.

The owner of Nash Vegas, Justin Conrad, said employees and owners are in a really awkward position.

“The city attempting to force business owners and employees  to provide the policing that they are incapable of doing on their own we know this because they have issues zero citations to the individuals downtown not wearing masks,” he said.

But, Clardy said businesses don’t have to police everybody that comes in, they just have to show they are making a good faith effort to comply.