City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update - Stay at Home Order issued, City facilities and playgrounds closed - Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m.

(COLUMBIA, MO) -  
Tuesday, March 24 summary
There are no new cases in Boone County from the March 23 update, however, the transmission of one case changed from pending investigation to travel related. On Tuesday, March 24, a Stay at Home Order was signed to strive to limit the continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community. See the information below for more details about the order. Because of the order, a few changes are being made to City operations and services, including the closure of all City facilities to the public and the closure of all playground equipment, sports courts, fields and other active recreation areas where it could be difficult to maintain recommended social distancing guidelines.

Cases in Boone County

Total positive cases	Deaths
20	1

*Numbers current as of March 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Ages:
15-24: 4 cases
25-44: 6 cases
45-64: 7 cases
65+: 3 cases

Transmission:
Travel-related: 15 cases
Contact to a confirmed case: 2 cases
Community transmission: 3 cases

Health message
On Tuesday, March 24, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Director Stephanie Browning signed a Stay at Home Order (Order 2020-03) related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The order is effective beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and will continue to be in effect until 8 a.m. on April 24, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended. The order was issued to protect the health and safety of all residents, with the goal of limiting the continued spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The order requires residents to stay at home unless they are engaged in one of the essential activities specified in the order. Essential activities include working at an essential business, obtaining supplies or necessary services, seeking medical care, caring for a family member or loved one, and exercising and maintaining personal health. Individuals must practice social distancing to the extent feasible while engaging in these activities, and stay home if not engaging in one of these specific activities.

Officials are relying on the goodwill and common sense of residents to follow the executive orders that have been implemented. If not, there are enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with the new order. To read the order and see answers to frequently asked questions, please visit https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=6656. To watch the press conference where the Stay at Home Order was announced, please visit https://gocolumbiamo.granicus.com/player/clip/2000?view_id=13.

Changes to City services
City facilities
All City facilities will be closed to the public, beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 24. A previous press release on March 20 listed limited access to some facilities. Those facilities that had limited access will now be closed to the public. Please call the City's Contact Center at 573.874.CITY (2489) for inquires. 

While City Hall is closed to the public, public notices will be posted on the windows on the southeast part of the building (just to the east of the front doors near the keyhole). Board and commission meetings have been canceled until further notice.

Transit - Tiger Line
Effective immediately, the Tiger Line, which serves the University of Missouri campus, will be suspended for the duration of the semester. Service will resume in August 2020. 

Parks and Recreation
As mandated by Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Order No. 2020-03, the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department will be closing all playground equipment, sports courts, fields and other active recreation areas where it could be difficult to maintain recommended social distancing guidelines.

Other closed facilities include golf courses (L.A Nickell and Lake of the Woods), picnic shelters, basketball and tennis courts, ballfields, skate parks and other active recreation locations. Parks and trails where social distancing can be maintained remain open. Gatherings of 10 or more people for games, picnics, parties and other events will not be permitted.

A limited number of restrooms within parks will continue to be open to the public and will be cleaned and sanitized daily. However, it is recommended that all park users bring and use hand sanitizer for all critical touch points.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has flagged mental health as a top concern associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Parks and Recreation recognizes that social distancing may take a toll on mental health, especially during high-stress and anxiety-producing global public health emergencies. Officials also know that parks provide a connection to the outdoors and green space as well as opportunities for physical activity which studies demonstrate reduces stress and improves mental health. Officials encourage residents to go outside for a walk or physical activity while still practicing social distancing.

Read more about which park restrooms are open and tips for using the trails while practicing social distancing: https://www.como.gov/parksandrec/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2020/03/Parks-Rec-Response-to-Order-2020-03.pdf.


Official information from the City of Columbia and Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) can be found at CoMo.gov/Coronavirus. The City will also be utilizing City and PHHS official social media accounts to post updates. They can be found at @CoMoGov on Facebook and Twitter and @CoMoHealthDept on Facebook and @CoMo_HealthDept on Twitter.