Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October, 21, masks will be required in both Nixa and Ozark. The leaders of both cities Tuesday issued orders requiring masks when people are not able to maintain at least a six foot distance from others anywhere except for their primary residence.
Nixa mayor, Brian Steele, decided to issue an emergency order requiring face coverings after hearing from officials at CoxHealth and Mercy, according to a news release. They told him about the strain rising COVID-19 cases are putting on their staff and facilities. Christian County currently has the second highest amount of COVID-19 patients in regional hospitals, including those in Greene County.
In a statement, Ozark mayor, Rick Gardner, said he issued an executive mask covering order due to area hospitals being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and an increase in quarantined students and teachers in Ozark Public Schools.
The mask mandates for both Nixa and Ozark apply to anyone over age 11 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on December 31. The ordinances will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and could change based on information from health experts.
