City Of Claremore Passes Mask Mandate, Takes Effect Dec. 20

Claremore's City Council voted to approve a mask mandate Friday night 5-2, but it won't go into effect for another month.

The mandate passed with a majority vote but did not have enough votes to kick in an emergency clause that would have put it into effect right away. As it stands now, the mandate will go into effect December 20 unless otherwise amended.

Mayor Bill Flanagan is in favor of the mask order.

"We think this will add and make it a little bit safer in Rogers County and Claremore, and that's why we did it," Flanagan said.

Several people who spoke, including two councilmen, were strongly against the mandate. Councilman Justin Michael took particular issue with the effectiveness of what he calls a toothless mandate.

"Has no penalty - none. So my question is, what is the point of mandating something and it doesn't do any good?" Michael said.

Michael and Flanagan both had concerns about the economic impact, but ultimately the mayor thought it would help and not hurt the local economy.

"We don't need or want a further shutdown of our economic system. It's already tough enough for our businesses to survive as it is," Flanagan said.