Director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services releases Order No. 2020-10 and Order 2020-10(c)

(COLUMBIA, MO) - Stephanie Browning, director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) has issued Order No. 2020-10 and Order No. 2020-10(c). Columbia and Boone County remain in Phase 2, Step 3 of the reopening plan under these orders with amended restrictions in order to help control the spread of COVID-19 throughout the county. These orders are effective at 12 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2020. These orders will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2020, unless extended, rescinded or modified prior to such expiration. 

The reopening plan has been modified under these orders due to the steady increase in COVID-19 daily cases, including 83 new cases recorded on Aug. 27. The positivity rate for Boone County residents tested during the week of Aug. 20 through Aug. 26 was 36.1%. The average number of cases in the 18-22 age bracket increased over 220% in the seven days ending on Aug. 27 compared to the previous week. Additionally, the number of hospitalizations within Boone County has increased to a current high of 43 patients.

Modifications from previous Orders:

• Restaurants and bars serving alcohol are required to stop serving alcohol at 9 p.m. and shall close no later than 10 p.m. Restaurants that do not serve alcohol are not required to close at 10 p.m.
  • Restaurants and bars serving alcohol may conduct curbside pickup and delivery of food items only after 10 p.m. 
• Entertainment venues are required to close at 10 p.m. Any entertainment venue that serves alcohol must stop serving alcohol at 9 p.m. Entertainment venues can continue to operate with 100 people or less, provided an operational plan has been submitted to PHHS. In addition, they must meet the following requirements:
  • Dance floors at entertainment venues shall be closed for dancing. Owners may repurpose the dance floor for table seating or other authorized uses if approved by PHHS in an Operational Plan. 
  • All food and beverage at an entertainment venue must be consumed while seated.
  • Table seating shall be limited to a maximum of ten (10) people per table. Tables must be socially distanced. 
  • Any person at an entertainment venue who is not seated must comply with Face Mask Requirements*. 
• All public and private gatherings not described within these orders are limited to 20 people or less. Social distancing and face mask requirements* must be observed at all gatherings.
  • Any large group gathering or event held at a business or institution open to the public is limited to 50% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less. This includes events in hotels, conference/event centers, places of worship, etc.
• All business establishments are strongly encouraged to operate at a capacity less than otherwise permitted to allow for more distancing within the establishment. Businesses are also encouraged to provide services remotely or in a manner maximizing social distancing such as curbside, pickup, delivery, etc.

*Masks required within Columbia city limits. Masks are strongly encouraged within Boone County.

PHHS encourages everyone to review these Orders in their entirety. Additional information can be found in the FAQ document (attached) or by emailing [email protected] for general questions.