St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson announced today the County and City will be adopting new restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In a press release released this morning, the new restrictions will ensure that residents can meet their basic needs and that essential services will still be provided. The new restrictions will require people to stay at home when possible.
After Monday, residents will still be able to go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, and take a walk in a public park in both jurisdictions. Each leader will make more details available this afternoon.
The leaders say the announcement comes after collaboration with public health officials and other county leaders. Other area counties are considering similar orders.
In a Saturday (3.21.20) afternoon press conference, Gov. Parson announced he has directed the Missouri Department of Health to order statewide social distancing.
The order includes new measures to protect the health and safety of Missouri citizens and frontline workers, Parson said.
“As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop, this is a critical step in protecting the health and safety of Missourians,” Governor Parson said. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for all citizens to practice social distancing and abide by this order, which is backed by intense deliberation and knowledge.”
The order will take effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 23 and remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 6 unless extended by further order of the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Below is the order outlined by the governor’s office
1. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people. For purposes of this Order, “social gatherings” shall mean any planned or spontaneous event or convening that would bring together more than 10 people in a single space at the same time.
2. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, or food courts; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed throughout the duration of this Order.
3. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, people shall not visit nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, or assisted living homes unless to provide critical assistance.
4. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, schools shall remain closed. This Order does not prohibit schools from providing child care and Food and Nutritional Services for those children that qualify. Teachers and staff may enter the building as long as they follow the directives set forth in this Order.
DHSS activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19: 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, labs are required by the Missouri Code of State Regulations to immediately report positive COVID-19 test results. It is important to note that results received from these labs are from patient samples taken over a period of time due to potential testing backlogs. As commercial labs increase their capacity for testing, the department will continue to receive results from them requiring immediate verification of patient data for each result.
JEFFERSON CITY -- During a press briefing Saturday (3.21.20) afternoon, the Missouri Department of Revenue announced Missourians will have an extra two months to file state income taxes. DOR Director Kenneth Zellers said the April 15, 2020 tax filing deadline will be extended to July 15, 2020. This applies to individual taxes and commercial businesses.
The announcement mirrors the federal guidelines already issued by the IRS.