Aldermen Drop Mask Mandate

By ERIC X. VICCARO

eviccaro@stegenherald.com

The City of Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen decided to drop the mask mandate at its public buildings during last Thursday’s regular meeting.

That’s despite COVID-19 (coronavirus) remaining a front-burner issue.

“Last week, there were three or four new cases, and masks have now been made optional in the schools,” Ste. Genevieve city administrator Happy Welch noted.

Masks will now be optional, but strongly recommended, at Ste. Genevieve City Hall, the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Welcome Center and other facilities – the water plant, wastewater plant and street department building.

Welch said he made his decision based on the “comfort level” of the elected officials.

“Most of the employees prefer not to wear a mask,” Welch told the board of aldermen, when asked about the matter from Ward 2 Aldermen Bob Donovan.

Welch said employees are spread out far enough – especially at city hall – and that has lessened concerns about the virus.

According to data gleaned from the Ste. Genevieve County Health Department on Oct. 15, there were four new confirmed cases.