Director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services releases stay at home order 2020-04, April 21

Stephanie Browning, director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services has issued Stay at Home Order 2020-04, which includes the addition of supplemental authorized activities to include curbside pickup and delivery for all retail businesses. The order is effective at 8 a.m. on April 24 and expires at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 3 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by further order. A signed copy of the order is attached. 

"This order now aligns with the timeline from Governor Parson's order. The prevalence of new COVID-19 cases has decreased to the point that I feel comfortable in starting to slowly open up some retail businesses. I do want to emphasize how important it will be for everyone to continue to practice social distancing and good hygiene so we don't see a resurgence in cases," Browning said.

The highlights of the renewal of the stay at home order are:

1. This extends the stay at home order through May 3 to align with the Governor's order.
2. Restaurants and retail food establishments cannot conduct dine-in service, but can continue to do curbside pickup, drive-through or delivery.
3. This order allows retail businesses, including those that have been deemed non-essential to take orders and fill those orders via shipping, delivery, or curbside pickup.  
4. All businesses must adhere to social distancing requirements. 

In addition to the renewal of the stay at home order, a framework for response and recovery is being drafted which will describe in some detail the measured steps necessary to reopen our communities. This plan will be shared the week of April 27.  

A list of frequently asked questions regarding order 2020-04 is also attached to this release.