Independence, area counties drop mask mandate amid new CDC guidance Precautions still recommended for unvaccinated (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Orlin Wagner/AP A dinosaur replica wears a mask outside Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. The dinosaur is promoting a Dinosaur Road Trip exhibit. and last updated 2021-05-14 13:51:24-04 KANSAS CITY, Mo. â Independence, Jackson County and Clay County joined Kansas City, Missouri, and other regional jurisdictions Friday in rolling back its emergency health orders put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. âEffective immediately masks are not required indoors or outdoors and all social distancing capacity restrictions have been lifted,â the city said in a release announcing the changes.