Stillwater City Leaders Extend Mask Mandate Through Late May

While more cities around the state begin to loosen mask ordinances, Stillwater city leaders are doubling down on their mandate.

The current mandate runs through May 25. It requires face coverings in all public spaces and city facilities including schools, food services and retail.

Stillwater mayor Will Joyce said the decision was well thought out.  

“But kind of looking out over the next two months with schools, and trying to keep things as they were and just wanting to make sure that we didn’t jump the gun too early, we wanted to make sure we extended it out,” Joyce said.

While there has been some opposition, Joyce said most of the people in Stillwater have supported the move, but the mandate isn’t stopping businesses from reopening.

The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts is launching its 2021 season this Sunday with a performance by band Canadian Brass, but they are taking necessary safety precautions.

First, the artists have agreed to perform two shows back-to-back.

“By offering those two shows, we are able to split the audience into two groups,” The McKnight Center marketing director Jessica Novak said. “It helps us spread them out around the theater, so there’s always six feet of space between each seating pod and each household that has been sheltering together.”

Masks are still required. Between shows, the entire facility will be sanitized by a cleaning crew.

Novak said there will be a way for people to watch the performances outside of the facility.

“Our artists have also agreed to let us simulcast their performances to our outdoor plaza space,” Novak said. “Outside on our lawn we have a 32-foot plasma wall and surround sound speakers. Those tickets are free but must be reserved to assure social distancing even outside.”

Joyce said most Stillwater businesses have shown support for the mask mandate extension.