Nixa's masking order extended

Nixa Mayor Brian Steele signed an emergency order to extend the city's masking requirement indefinitely.

The decision announced yesterday keeps the face mask order in place through the end of the city's COVID-19 state of emergency, according to a news release. City spokesperson Drew Douglas said there's no set date for the declared emergency to come to a close.

"When the pandemic ceases to be a crisis, and when the mayor or the council determines that it is safe and appropriate to do so, both the mask order and the emergency declaration can be terminated at any time," Douglas said via email.

The city's declared emergency took effect March 23, he said.

The two-month-old masking order requires the use of face coverings in public spaces and includes a fine of up to $100 for violations.

Data from the Christian County Health Department show more than 5,600 confirmed cases, an increase from roughly 2,200 when the Nixa face mask order was enacted Oct. 20.

Both Nixa and Ozark enacted face mask orders in October, with the mandates slated to expire at year's end. The city of Ozark has not announced an extension.