After weeks of pressure from all over the state, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Friday issued a statewide “Stay Home Missouri” order during his daily press briefing Friday at the state capitol in Jefferson City.
“First and foremost, I want everyone to know that I love this state and the people of this state,” Parson said. “The people of this great state clearly define who we are in Missouri, and as Governor, I have no greater responsibility than to protect the health, well-being, and safety of all Missourians.”
The order, set to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 6, and last until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 24, is similar in nature to one issued by the Perry County Commission and all county municipalities on March 24 based on the recommendation of the Perry County Health Department, down to the date the order is expected to expire.
“I think the health department has provided exceptional leadership, along with the county commission,” said Perryville city administrator Brent Buerck. “The date the governor picked was the same date we picked a week ago. I think that’s significant. I think these guys have their finger on the pulse and they’re trying to do the right thing to keep us all safe.”
The governor’s order explicitly states that individuals currently residing within the state of Missouri should avoid leaving their homes or places of residence unless necessary, and includes specific guidance for staying home, social distancing, businesses and employees, schools, restaurants, firearm sales, and state government buildings.
Although the governor’s order is in effect statewide, it still gives local governments leeway to expand. Buerck said Friday he didn’t foresee a need for that to happen in Perryville or in the county as a whole.
“The city is partners with the county and the health department on this,” Buerck said, adding that Altenburg and Frohna were also involved. “We’re having twice-a-day conference calls; we’re working together to do what’s right. The single order the county put in place applies to all of us and we’re working together to make sure we get it right.”
Perhaps the most noteworthy difference between the governor’s order and the earlier one issued by the county commission lies in the requirements for retail establishments.
Under the governor’s order, any business that employs individuals to perform essential worker functions, and that is engaged in retail sales to the public, will be required to limit the number of individuals in their stores based on the size of the store.
Businesses that have less than 10,000 square feet will be limited to 25 percent or less of that business’ authorized fire or building code occupancy, while those larger than 10,000 square feet will be limited to 10 percent occupancy.
In short, this would limit the number of shoppers allowed into stores at any given time. For reference, Rozier’s Food Centre in Perryville has about 29,000 square feet, according to Rozier’s president Jay Lottes, while the True Value store across the street checks in at less than 10,000.
Lottes said Friday night that he would have to consult with the city to determine how many shoppers could be allowed in at one time.
In addition, the order requires that:
The order does not prohibit Missourians from accessing essential services, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and banks, or engaging in outdoor recreation, provided that necessary precautions are taken and maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including observing the social gathering and social distancing requirements set forth in the order.
According to the governor’s statement, the the provisions of the order will be enforced by local and state health authorities “by any legal means.”
“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, friends, neighbors, and the entire state of Missouri. For the sake of all Missourians, be smart, be responsible, and stay home, Missourians.”
The Perry County Health Department on Friday reported 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a total that includes 13 women and nine men, ranging in age from 30 to more than 80 years old. Seven of those cases are reported as recovered. On Thursday, the health department reported that “several cases” required hospitalization.
Also on Friday, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports 2,113 positive COVID-19 cases out of 24,727 tested in a total population of six million Missourians, indicating that 8.5 percent of those tested have been positive.
Of those positive tests, approximately 22 percent have required hospitalization. The remaining 78 percent are recovering at home or have already recovered.
Missouri has at least one positive case in 76 of Missouri’s 114 counties. More than half of the total positive cases are in the St. Louis region.
The death rate in the state remains below 1 percent, with 19 deaths reported.
To view the full “Stay Home Missouri” Order, or to review the federal government’s guidance on essential businesses and workers, see below.
For more information and resources regarding COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and the DHSS website at www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus.
