OKC City Council Extends Mask Mandate To Oct. 20

The city council is extending Oklahoma City's mask mandate through October 20.

The council's original vote on Tuesday morning was whether to pass the mask mandate through the end of November, but it was pitched to shorten the mandate to October 20, which was approved 6 to 3.

Councilman David Greenwell suggested shortening the mask mandate in efforts to continue monitoring COVID-19 numbers and health officials recommendations.

Councilman Todd Stone agreed with shortening the mandate.

“I think it's very important that we do continue to focus on the data and focus on what we are continuing to hear from our experts on a biweekly basis," Stone said.

Several members of the public chimed in on Tuesday morning’s meeting asking for no continued mask mandate, worried about how it could affect the flu season and young children's mental health.

However, the OKC city council proceeded with the vote and approved the mask mandate through October 20.

The extended mandate will go into effect in Oklahoma City at midnight on September 8 when the current mandate ends.

The current penalty fee could change, but as of now, the violation of the mask mandate means a $9 fine for the first and second offenses.

A third offence could mean as much as a $100 fine.