Stephanie Browning, director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) has issued Order No. 2020-06. This order includes a framework for all establishments within Boone County to reopen with updated limitations on occupancy. This order will be effective at 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020 and signals the next step in ongoing reopening and COVID-19 response efforts in Columbia and Boone County.
"We believe that Boone County is in a place where we can safely move forward in our slow reopening plan and continue to maintain low-levels of transmission by following these new guidelines," said Browning. "We appreciate the hard work and sacrifice our residents and business community have done to help control the spread of COVID-19."
Highlights:
- All businesses can reopen with occupancy limitations and social distancing requirements.
- Restaurants and bars can operate at 50% seating capacity.
- Under this order, retail businesses can operate at 50% capacity. However, retail establishments are restricted under Governor Parson's state order as follows until May 31 unless extended:
- For smaller locations (less than 10,000 square feet), they must maintain 25% or less of the authorized occupancy.
- For larger locations (10,000 square feet or greater), they must maintain 10% or less of the authorized occupancy.
- Facilities that offer personal care services, such as hair and nail salons, massage services and others, can operate with 50% occupancy or a total of 25 people, whichever is fewer.
- Large venues, entertainment facilities, movie theaters and nightclubs are to submit an operational plan to PHHS before reopening.
- Mass gatherings of more than 50 people are not permitted. Social distancing should continue to be practiced at all times when around others not in the same household.
- Playgrounds are now open.
- Child care, day camps, and other dependent services can operate with stable group sizes of up to 25 children.
- Sports
- Non-contact and limited-contact sports such as baseball, softball and volleyball can begin playing.
- Contact sports such as football, soccer and wrestling can have non-contact practices.
- Spectators are limited to 50% capacity or 50 people, whichever is less and social distancing must be practiced.
The current guidelines are dependent on maintaining healthcare system capacity, contact tracing capacity, PPE availability and reviewing the rate at which new cases occur. Should there be any indication that the progress that has been made thus far is jeopardized, the PHHS director may reinstate restrictions based on the epidemiological conditions at that time.
Businesses should refer to the business guidance document provided by PHHS for more information on how to safely operate during this time. If you are a business with questions about operating requirements, please email [email protected].
We encourage everyone to review the Order in its entirety. Additional information can be found in our FAQ document or by emailing [email protected] for general questions.