Marshfield proposes mask mandate

The Marshfield Board of Aldermen is considering a citywide face mask mandate.

The board is hosting a public comment session on Thursday for the proposed ordinance, which would require those who are more than 10 years old to wear a face covering in public spaces, according to a news release.

The proposal by the city states the mandate would be in effect for 60 days starting Sept. 15, when the board is slated to vote on the order. The proposal points to 204 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Webster County as of Aug. 27, when there were more than 79,000 cases in Missouri.

If passed, Marshfield would join Springfield and Branson in implementing face mask mandates. The Ozark Board of Aldermen last month rejected a proposed ordinance, following a similar decision by the city of Nixa earlier in the summer. The ordinances in Springfield and Branson have faced legal challenges.