Food to-go orders continue, but dining in, bars will shut down

Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers said in a meeting Sunday afternoon Governor Mike Parson has directed Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams to order statewide social distancing and the order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday in Butler County, as well as across the state.

The new directive means all dining rooms and bar areas serving 10 or more people will be shutdown.

Myers explained these businesses in Butler County may prepare carry out meals, offer food to be picked up or they may deliver food.

In Missouri, 90 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed and three have died, Myers said.

Of the 18 people in Butler County who have been tested, 12 have come back negative and as of Saturday the results of six are pending.

While the number will continue to grow in the state, Myers said, there are no confirmed cases in Butler County at this time.

As Butler County prepares to enter its second week dealing with the virus, Myers said, the community will begin looking at other areas of concerns and programs for the people and businesses being impacted.

“Tomorrow we may have an overload of information,” he said.

Monday and Tuesday, Myers and other emergency operations team members will be working with issues that are overwhelming many of the public, he said. Preparations are being made to help those with mental health issues.

Myers explained, being outdoors has not be taken off the table. The state has no curfew.

“Practice social distancing,” he said. “Stay at home as much as possible.”

This does not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks and banks, so long as necessary precautions are taken and maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including maintaining at least six feet of distance between all individuals that are not family members.

For offices and workplaces that remain open, individuals shall practice good hygiene.

The more people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this order will expire, officials report.

Local public health authorities are directed to carry out and enforce the provisions of this order by means of civil proceedings.

Myers and the emergency operations team will meet for briefing at 2 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Poplar Bluff Police Department.