This past Tuesday (03-23-21) the city council met and voted to repeal Lawton's mask mandate. The updated or revised city ordinance (21-07) eliminated the requirements for local businesses to post COVID-19 and face mask signage. The ordinance also ended the mandatory mask mandate as well. Since then the City of Lawton has issued a statement concerning the wearing of face masks in city owned buildings, properties and facilities. The mask mandate may have been repealed, but you'll still be required to wear a face mask and/or covering when visiting, or going into any City of Lawton sites or facilities.   

Not only will you be required to wear a face mask at all city owned facilities. All City of Lawton employees and staff working at city owned properties will continue to wear masks or coverings while indoors and interacting with the general public. See the official press release from the City of Lawton below:

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A lot of residents are concerned about the city repealing the mask mandate and feel it's too soon. Other disagree and are relieved, if not overjoyed by the decision. Of course with this being a highly controversial issue and opinions running from one extreme to the other it's caused a lot of arguement and concern among citizens. Our numbers continue to improve and most feel it's due to the availability of the new COVID-19 vaccination. As more and more people get vaccinated we're nearing heard immunity, at least according to some health experts. Even with the vaccine a lot of people are worried it's too soon to do away with face masks and to stop following all the familiar health protocols like social distancing etc. They're worried that if we loosen up even a little another wave will hit, or the variant strains of COVID-19 will take hold.

The mask mandate may have been repealed but local and area businesses, both private and corporate will have their own policies concerning masks. Meaning that while the city itself doesn't require face masks, the business, restaurant, bar or other stores you visit may still require you to wear one to enter. More than likely it'll be a patch work of different places in Lawton that you'll need a mask to go into. Some won't, and others will ask that you wear a mask or covering. That's to be expected. The same goes for people, even with the mask mandate being repealed a lot of people are still going to wear face masks and that's their business, nothing says you can't. So what do you think about the City Council repealing Lawton mask mandate? Take the quick poll below and let us know your thoughts:

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