ST. LOUIS–Masks are required again inside the Gateway Arch National Park. Starting Dec. 27, non-cloth masks are mandatory due to St. Louis City’s high COVID Community Level, according to Gateway Arch officials.  

The CDC’s COVID Community Level site states if transmission is at a high level you should wear a high-quality mask, avoid indoor public activities if you are at a high risk of getting very sick and to wear a mask indoors if you are with someone who is at high risk for getting very sick.

The COVID Community Level tracker says St. Louis County and Jefferson County are at a high level of transmission, but St. Charles County is at a low level of transmission.

A Facebook post on the Gateway Arch National Park’s page also says cloth masks are no longer allowed. Guests are being asked to wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask, defined as a “surgical mask, procedure mask, a KN95 mask or a respirator.

Arch officials say cloth masks and gaiters are not considered high-quality masks. It will have paper surgical masks available for those who need one. 

This comes during the holiday, a busy time for the landmark, according to officials. Another Facebook post says tickets often sell out during this time of the year.