Mask mandates are disappearing around Kansas City. Here’s where they’re still required
Editor’s note: This story originally published in October 2021, and we are regularly updating it. The last update was on Feb. 15, 2022.
Kansas City’s omicron wave has peaked, with cases finally coming down. Local doctors and health officials are saying that people can cautiously let their guards down a bit if they’re fully vaccinated, but that protective measures like wearing masks can help make sure COVID-19 case numbers keep declining.
Studies in both Kansas and Missouri have shown that wearing masks is an effective way to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
As the number of cases drop, mask mandates are ending across the metro.
It’s hard to keep track of where masks are required around Kansas City. So, we wanted to put the latest guidance all in one place.
Even if masks aren’t required, they are still a precaution that can reduce the exposure and spread of COVID-19, and local doctors are encouraging it.
This list will be updated as new information becomes available. If you don’t see your location, school district or favorite business, reach out to us at kcq@kcstar.com.
Counties
Cass County
No mask mandate.
Clay County
No mask mandate. This excludes North Kansas City, which is mentioned below.
Jackson County
The mask mandate ended on Nov. 12 after a 5-4 vote by the Jackson County Legislature.
Johnson County
Johnson County doesn’t have a mask mandate except for some schools (details below), but it strongly recommends that people wear masks in indoor public spaces.
Platte County
Masks are optional after the Health Department’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted against a mandate. The board decided to recommend wearing masks in some public settings based on personal choice.
Wyandotte County
The Unified Board of Commissioners voted to end the mask mandate on Dec. 16.
Cities
Fairway
The mask mandate ends Feb. 17, as Fairway leaders are letting it expire.
Independence
No mandate since August.
Kansas City
The mandate for everyone — including in K-12 schools — is ending on Feb. 17, as mayor Quinton Lucas intends to let the mandate expire.
With cases, hospitalizations, and deaths on a continued decline, it is time for government to focus on COVID-19 mitigation efforts such as regular testing and ensuring all have access to vaccines.
I do not intend to renew Kansas City’s mask mandate after its Feb. 17 expiration.— Mayor Quinton Lucas (@MayorLucasKC) February 15, 2022
Mission
The city’s will vote on extending the mask mandate Feb. 16.
North Kansas City
The City Council voted to amend its mask mandate on Dec. 7. Masks are no longer required unless you’re inside a school building.
Prairie Village
The city has a mask mandate through Mar. 16.
Roeland Park
The City Council extended the mask mandate through Mar. 16.
Schools
Belton
Masks are optional in school buildings.
Blue Springs
The mandate ended when Jackson County voted to end its mandate.
Blue Valley
Masks are optional for all students in Blue Valley school buildings.
Bonner Springs
Masks are optional for high school students on school grounds. Masks are still required for preschool, elementary and middle school students.
De Soto
Masks are required in buildings that include students up to sixth grade — meaning elementary and middle schools, per Johnson County’s order. The school board voted to make masks optional for high school students as long as the percentage of students needing to quarantine or isolate after being exposed to the virus remains below 4%.
Fort Osage
Masks are now optional inside schools.
Gardner Edgerton
Masks are optional for all schools, going against the Johnson County mandate requiring masks for all schools that have students as old as sixth grade.
Hickman Mills
Students and staff must wear a mask while inside the school. Parents or guardians checking their students in or out of the building must also wear a mask.
Independence
The school district dropped its mask mandate for everyone inside school buildings.
Johnson County
Everyone must continue wearing masks in schools serving students as old as sixth grade, as of Jan. 6.
Kansas City
Mayor Quinton Lucas intends to let the mask mandate expire on Feb. 17.
Kansas City Public Schools
All students, staff and visitors are required to wear masks inside KCPS buildings.
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Everyone must wear masks indoors.
Kearney
There is no mask mandate inside school buildings.
Lee’s Summit
Masks are required until Feb. 24.
Liberty
Masks are required for all students over the age of 5, staff and visitors following Kansas City government leaders reinstating mandatory mask-wearing.
North Kansas City
District officials don’t expect Kansas City’s school health order to be extended, so masks will become optional in NKC schools.
Olathe
The mask mandate ends Feb. 18, making masks optional for all students.
Park Hill
The school board voted to reinstate the mask mandate.
Piper
Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors while inside district buildings and riding district transportation.
Platte County
Masks are recommended in Platte County schools.
Raymore-Peculiar
Masks are optional for the school district in Cass County but highly recommended in large groups of people.
Raytown
Everyone must wear masks while inside school premises.
Shawnee Mission
Masks are required in elementary schools and optional for middle and high school students per Johnson County’s order, but they’ll be optional for all students if the mandate is removed on Thursday.
Spring Hill
Masks are required in buildings serving students as old as sixth grade, per Johnson County’s order. The district requires masks for elementary and middle school students, but parents can apply for medical exemptions without needing approval from a doctor. Masks are highly encouraged for high school students.
Turner
Masks are no longer required but strongly recommended.
Universities
Anyone visiting the University of Kansas, Kansas State University or Wichita State University must wear a mask. There’s no recent announcement on when the mandate will end.
On the Missouri side, the University of Missouri System let its mask mandate for the four schools end on Oct. 14.
Metropolitan Community College’s five campuses have made masks mandatory once again until numbers trend downward.
Venues
Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland
They no longer require masks, but require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to entry.
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Masks are encouraged, but not required while inside the stadium. However, they’re required for unvaccinated staff.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The performance center requires masks to enter the building.
T-Mobile Center
They follow the city’s guidelines, meaning masks are no longer required at the venue.
The Uptown Theater
The venue lets each performing artist decide the requirements for entry, including masks.
Businesses in Johnson County strongly encourage customers, visitors and employees to wear masks while inside one of their buildings.
