Topeka Municipal Court follows Stormont Vail's lead by reactivating mask requirement

With Stormont Vail Health having recently reactivated its masking requirement, Topeka Municipal Court has followed suit.

The court will require all employees and visitors to wear masks beginning Monday.

"The policy is being implemented to ensure the court can remain open, and serve its function of carryingout the administration of justice," Topeka's city government said in a news released Wednesday.

Mask-wearing remains optional at all other buildings operated by Topeka's city government, which encourages practices aimed at stopping the spread of disease that include social distancing and regular handwashing.

Stormont Vail masking move reversed decision made in October

The municipal court move comes at a time of concern over the potential spread of diseases that include COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, said Gretchen Spiker, the city's communications director.

Stormont Vail recently reactivated its requirement that the public wear a mask when visiting the hospital or any of its clinics, and that staff members wear masks when they are interact with patients.

That move reverses the decision Stormont Vail made in October to drop masking requirements for patients, team members and visitors.

Masks had most recently been required at municipal court in February.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at 785-213-5934 or threnchir@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Mask requirement reactivated starting Monday at Topeka Municipal Court