← Back to Blog

Face Masks Now Optional in Independent Living Areas

group of happy senior friends having lunch

On Friday, May 14, John Knox Village received word that the current health order requiring people to wear a mask when out in public in Jackson County has expired.

Therefore, to remain consistent with Jackson County, John Knox Village also lifted the mask mandate for independent living residents effective immediately.

What this means is wearing a mask is now optional for independent living residents who are “fully vaccinated* when visiting most areas of the campus. However, those planning to visit Village Assisted Living/Memory Care or the Village Care Center must wear a mask and follow the visitor guidance that each facility has put into place.

The decisions made by Village leadership and Jackson County officials to lift the mask mandates are consistent with the recommendations and guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday, May 13.

It is also important to note that all John Knox Village associates must continue to wear their masks while indoors on the John Knox Village campus.

Finally, Phase III of the Independent Living Reopening Plan was released May 14. Although it is not scheduled to go into effect until June 1, Village leaders plan to re-visit the plan to see if anything needs to be altered. Additional information will be shared once finalized.

 

To summarize:

  • If you are fully vaccinated, but you feel more comfortable wearing a mask while you are out in public, please feel free to continue to do so until you are ready to go without.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated, it is recommended that you continue to wear your mask when outside your home.
  • Independent living residents who use John Knox Village transportation do not need to wear masks on the buses.
  • When leaving the campus, residents should remember to take their masks. There are several businesses and other parts of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area that still require masks indoors. Also, the CDC recommends wearing masks in health care settings, at transportation hubs such as airports and while traveling on planes or other public transportation.
  • Finally, we ask that resident guests follow the same recommendations listed above.

 

This announcement is good news, and it offers us one more step toward getting back to a more normal lifestyle. However, please remember that these are recommendations, and some people may feel more comfortable by continuing to use this added layer of protection regardless of their vaccination status. Please respect every individual’s choice.