Johnson County Mask Mandate Discontinued as of April 30 at 11:59 p.m.

The Johnson County Board of Commissioners didn’t vote to continue the county-wide mask mandate and social distancing requirement in a meeting held on Thursday, April 29. 

The previous public health order, which required the use of masks in indoor public spaces and adequate social distancing guidelines, is set to expire on April 30 at 11:59 p.m. Voting to not extend this order would not require by law the use of masks in public businesses.

“This is a nuanced thing in the sense that even though there are no longer legally-mandated mask wearing and social distancing rules, it’s still strongly recommended by our public health officials and the Board [of Commissioners],” said director of Johnson County Public Affairs and Communication Jody Hanson.

However, individual businesses are still able to set their own mask-usage guidelines, and the Shawnee Mission School District Communications Department stated that they are continuing their policy requiring the use of facial coverings and social distancing in all district buildings.

“The language in the resolution still recommends that people still wear masks and observe social distancing — but now it’s just a recommendation rather than a mandate,” said Hanson.