By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostIn a unanimous vote, the Salina City Commission today approved repealing the city's facemask ordinance.While the repealing ordinance technically will not go into effect until it is published once in the official city newspaper, which most likely would be later this week. Commissioners were told, however, that there was some leeway concerning enforcement between the vote and the repealing ordinance being published."We discussed that in terms of the timing of that. From an enforcement standpoint, it would be up to the police department, but we can certainly advise the police department to cease enforcement between your action and publication," City Manager Mike Schrage told commissioners.Deputy City Manager Jacob Wood told commissioners that private businesses would still be able to require people to wear masks in their establishments.Prior to the vote, Mayor Melissa Hodges made a statement concerning the city's facemask ordinance, saying that with the new CDC guidance, it was time to repeal the ordinance."But as we go forward together in these unprecedented times, let's please keep a few things in mind. The repeal of this ordinance does not change the fact that the CDC recommends unvaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors and maintain social distancing. For the sake of the vulnerable members of our community, like those who are immuno-suppressed or too young to receive the vaccination, if you haven't been vaccinated, please continue to wear your facemasks indoors. But individual businesses and organizations have the ability to require masks in their place of business and that citizens should respect the policies that have been established," Hodges said. "I'd like to offer heartfelt thanks to Salinans who understood the importance of doing their part to limit COVID's effects on our community, who willingly complied with our mask ordinance, and who were vaccinated at their earliest opportunity."

Salina City Commission repeals facemask ordinance