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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a 6-3 vote, the Jackson County Legislature extended its mask mandate through Oct. 7.

The decision means that everyone will be required to wear masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status in the county.

It applies to all of Jackson County except Independence and Kansas City. Both those cities have their own health departments and develop their own health mandates. Kansas City currently has a mask mandate. Independence does not.

Jackson County’s original mask mandate began Aug. 9 and lasts for 30 days. According to a new state law, a public health order is limited to 30 days. Any extension of this order beyond 30 days requires the support of a majority of the Jackson County Legislature.

Nearly 20 people attended Monday’s legislature meeting to speak both for and against extending the mandate during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

The majority of people who testified did not support extending the mandate. They disagreed with doctors and experts who have said that wearing masks, along with getting vaccinated, provides another layer of protection against COVID-19.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has sued both Jackson County and Kansas City over the mask mandates.