Public Health and Human Services Director extends Reopening Plan - Phase 2, Step 3

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) announced that the health order outlining Phase 2, Step 3 of the reopening plan has been extended.

Stephanie Browning, Director of PHHS, has issued Order No. 2020-08 and order 2020-08(c) to extend the current step of reopening until 11:59 p.m. on August 10, 2020, unless otherwise extended, rescinded or modified. 

All restrictions under the current health orders (Order 2020-07 and 2020-07(c)) remain in effect. No additional restrictions or modifications have been issued. Phase 2, Step 3 of the reopening plan authorized businesses to reopen with the implementation of social distancing requirements and limiting large gatherings to 100 persons. 

This extension has been issued because Boone County is not meeting all of the criteria to signal that it is safe to move into the next step of reopening. The following criteria of reopening are not being met due to the rapid increase in new cases of COVID-19:

• Public health can maintain active disease investigation, contact tracing, and monitoring.

"Based on the numbers we have seen in the last couple of weeks, we need to pause our original reopening plans," said Browning. "The plan we outlined was for the best-case scenario and we just aren't there right now. Extending the current step allows us to get a handle on this virus so that we can try to avoid moving backward in our response."  

Please be mindful that any public outing, especially those in large group settings, can increase your risk of being exposed to the virus. Help fight the spread of COVID-19 in Boone County by:

• Staying home if you are sick.
• Avoiding close contact with others by social distancing from individuals outside of your household.
• Wearing a mask when around others. MaskUpComo
• Following all guidelines when visiting businesses in Boone County.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Covering coughs and sneezes.
• Contacting your primary care physician or local health care system immediately if you begin to experience any symptoms of COVID-19.