Missouri to see statewide stay-at-home order

Effective Monday, Missouri will join the majority of states operating under a stay-at-home order, Gov. Mike Parson announced Friday night.

The order, he said, will be in effect until the end of the day on April 24.

Under this order, people are required to avoid leaving their homes and social gatherings of more than 10 people. The public and charter schools will remain closed for the duration of the order. People will still be able to leave their homes for essentials such as grocery shopping.

“Together, we must continue to control, to contain and to fight this virus to stay ahead of the battle,” Parson said.

The order will take effect when Parson’s prior social distancing order is scheduled to expire.

“On March, the 21st. I ordered a statewide social distancing order,” Parson said. “...This is exactly where Missouri needed to be at that time.”

Under the social distancing order, people could not gather in groups more than 10. They were encouraged to avoid eating or drinking at restaurants — which has since been expanded to a ban — and access to nursing homes or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance. It also ordered schools to remain closed.

The order, Parson said, “will provide a clear framework to allow businesses to operate” while still following social distancing guidelines. Businesses that perform an essential function or work in retail will need to limit the number of individuals at any particular location as follows:

• For retail locations of less than 10,000 square feet, 25% or less of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities;

• For retail locations of more than 10,000 square feet, 10% or less of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities.

The county commissions are able to place additional restrictions.

“You know the people and the needs of your communities the best,” he said.

Parson also addressed the current state numbers. As of Friday, he said, the state had 2,113 positive cases, with about 8.5% of individuals tested coming back positive. The 19 known deaths is less than 1% of those with positive tests. Only 22% of those infected have required hospitalization with the rest recovering at home or already recovered.

During the announcement, he recognized the impact this could have on Missourians.

“There comes a time when we have to make major sacrifices in our lives,” Parson said. “Many of us make sacrifices each and every day, but now more than ever. We must all make sacrifices. This is not about any one individual person. This is about our families, our friends and our neighbors. This is about the entire state of Missouri.”