Stillwater City Council Votes Unanimously For Mask Mandate

Stillwater became another city inside Oklahoma to require masks in their city limits. The city council voted 5-0 in favor of the measure on Thursday.

The new rules will take effect Saturday and will continue until November 30.

The decision now means Stillwater and Norman, the cities that house the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, will have mandatory mask orders for the foreseeable future.

In Stillwater's case, a mask will be mandatory in all indoor public spaces.

Public spaces include restaurants, school buildings, retail stores or "personal service establishments that provide goods or services directly to the public."

The face mask rule does not apply to children under five years old or people with medical conditions and disabilities that would make it difficult.

People eating inside of a restaurant or exercising are also exempt as long as social distancing is maintained.

The city said there will be signs outside of school buildings and businesses to let people know a mask is required.

“It’s our obligation to try and keep this community safe and functioning,” Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce said. “This is a proactive, low impact option for our community to adopt that will help control incidents of COVID-19.”

People who do follow the ordinance could face criminal trespassing, disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct complaints.

Businesses that do not follow the ordinance could also face punishments, as well.