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KCK Chamber of Commerce backs governor's mask order

Posted at 1:26 PM, Nov 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-19 14:26:20-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce on Thursday threw its support behind the statewide mask mandate issued by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Daniel Silva, president and CEO of the KCK Chamber, said the group was “proud to support Governor Kelly’s face-covering protocol, which promotes collaboration among communities in our state and doing what is best for the common good.”

The new order goes into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Counties have one week to create their own local mask requirement or they will automatically be enrolled in the statewide protocol.

Counties also still have the option to opt out of a mask mandate, which many did last spring.

On Wednesday, Kelly said she believed more counties would choose to adopt a mandate this time.

COVID-19 cases in Kansas continue to surge, and most counties in the state have moderate to high levels of community spread. The White House said Kansas has the fifth-highest positivity rate in the nation.

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce also voiced support for the governor’s order after she announced it on Wednesday.