City Of Branson West Orders Masking
Ordinance Also Requires Signs About The Rule
August 12, 2020

Isaac Estes-Jones
The City of Branson West voted Wednesday, August 5, to enact an ordinance requiring masking at public places. The rule, approved 2 to 1 by the board of aldermen, also requires all businesses to post notices about the requirement. The ordinance goes into effect August 12.
The notices, which will be provided by city hall, must be placed at points of entrance or exit to a business.
The measure follows several other cities across the state and nation ordering the use of masks while in public in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19.
According to the ordinance, “it is unlawful to be in a public space without wearing a face covering” except in certain circumstances.
Exemptions in Branson West’s ordinance include those under the age of 13; sitting and eating or drinking, so long as social distancing is possible; those with a documented health condition prohibiting wearing a mask; anyone in the water; playing a sport or exercising; anyone outside that is socially distance from others not living in the same household; and several other exemptions. See Branson West City Hall for the full list of exemptions to the mask rule.
Anyone found guilty of failing to abide by this ordinance is subject to a $50 fine, plus court costs.
Businesses must display signs on the entrances and exits of their facilities. These signs are required to have letters at least half an inch tall on a white background.
These signs must say “1. IT IS A VIOLATION OF LAW TO ENTER THE PREMISES WITHOUT A FACE COVERING.
“2. PLEASE MAINTAIN AT LEAST SIX FEET OF DISTANCE BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT FAMILY MEMBERS OR DO NOT RESIDE TOGETHER.”
The City of Branson West will provide signs that comply with this portion of the ordinance.
Any business that does not post these notices or does not require compliance with the mask ordinance is subject to a fine of $50 plus court costs if found guilty of violating the ordinance. In addition to those fines, the ordinance indicates places that do not comply with the ordinance may have permits or licenses suspended as a result of not following the ordinance.
The ordinance does specifically mention that if a public place requires masking and someone at that location refuses to comply, the business or place will not be found in violation.
The rule will go into effect on Wednesday, August 12. It will remain in force for up to 90 days unless it is rescinded by the city.
The City of Branson West voted Wednesday, August 5, to enact an ordinance requiring masking at public places. The rule, approved 2 to 1 by the board of aldermen, also requires all businesses to post notices about the requirement. The ordinance goes into effect August 12.
The notices, which will be provided by city hall, must be placed at points of entrance or exit to a business.
The measure follows several other cities across the state and nation ordering the use of masks while in public in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19.
According to the ordinance, “it is unlawful to be in a public space without wearing a face covering” except in certain circumstances.
Exemptions in Branson West’s ordinance include those under the age of 13; sitting and eating or drinking, so long as social distancing is possible; those with a documented health condition prohibiting wearing a mask; anyone in the water; playing a sport or exercising; anyone outside that is socially distance from others not living in the same household; and several other exemptions. See Branson West City Hall for the full list of exemptions to the mask rule.
Anyone found guilty of failing to abide by this ordinance is subject to a $50 fine, plus court costs.
Businesses must display signs on the entrances and exits of their facilities. These signs are required to have letters at least half an inch tall on a white background.
These signs must say “1. IT IS A VIOLATION OF LAW TO ENTER THE PREMISES WITHOUT A FACE COVERING.
“2. PLEASE MAINTAIN AT LEAST SIX FEET OF DISTANCE BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT FAMILY MEMBERS OR DO NOT RESIDE TOGETHER.”
The City of Branson West will provide signs that comply with this portion of the ordinance.
Any business that does not post these notices or does not require compliance with the mask ordinance is subject to a fine of $50 plus court costs if found guilty of violating the ordinance. In addition to those fines, the ordinance indicates places that do not comply with the ordinance may have permits or licenses suspended as a result of not following the ordinance.
The ordinance does specifically mention that if a public place requires masking and someone at that location refuses to comply, the business or place will not be found in violation.
The rule will go into effect on Wednesday, August 12. It will remain in force for up to 90 days unless it is rescinded by the city.