Mask mandates for Memphis could return via a last-minute request from Memphis City Council member Dr. Jeff Warren for Tuesday’s council meeting.
As council meetings were underway Tuesday morning, a revised committee agenda was issued. The new agenda included a resolution requesting Mayor Jim Stickland’s administration “to reinstate a mask mandate in the city of Memphis.” The new resolution was made public about 15 minutes before the committee to review the measure was scheduled to begin.
The resolution came with an additional request for same-night minutes, meaning if the resolution were approved Tuesday, it could not be changed at a future council meeting. However, if the resolution is approved, it does not bind Strickland to act upon it.
City leaders dropped enforcement of the city-wide mask mandate on May 15th. The move followed Gov. Bill Lee ending the state-wide public health emergency and the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) ending its mask mandate.
COVID-19 numbers have risen and continue to rise, however. Though, the SCHD said in July it had no plan to bring back its mask mandate. However, masks are required, once again, in Shelby County government buildings. Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey told WMCTV that COVID mandates are, basically, over.
