Fulton city leaders discuss possible mask ordinance with state health director
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)
Members of Fulton City Council met with the state health department director Wednesday afternoon over a conference call to discuss a possible mask ordinance.
Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri Health Department Director, said he would leave any decisions on masks up to the city.
Fulton Mayor Lowe Cannell said the city is working on a draft ordinance to put in place if the COVID-19 situation in Callaway County changes for the worse.
He added it would take at least a week to have the ordinance drafted.
The mayor said Wednesday's meeting was called to look at more information surrounding the possible ordinance.
"We wanted to get a better idea of what the ordinance could look like and what the city's liability could be," Cannell said.
City leaders looked at four existing ordinances to model their decision after. The council generally agreed to base the Fulton rule off an order in place in Springfield.
The state health director suggested the city look at more information before putting a mask order in place.
Cannell said the city council is concerned about COVID-19 and it's possible effects on the community.
William Woods University in Fulton started classes on Monday.
The mayor said he's pleased with the way the school handled a small coronavirus outbreak earlier this year.
"We feel like (the university's) proactive approach will limit widespread exposure," Cannell said.
The Callaway County Health Department confirmed an increase in COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The county added 27 new coronavirus cases since Monday, the last time the data was updated.
According to health department data, 27 others have recovered over the last 48 hours. It added there were 53 active COVID-19 cases in the county as of Wednesday.
