Missouri is under a Stay-At-Home Order beginning today, Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 24. Governor Mike Parson announced the order on Friday, April 3. And while the order directs all Missourians to stay in their homes “unless necessary,” it proves plenty of room for getting out, too.

From the order: “This Order directs all Missourians to avoid leaving their residences unless necessary and to practice social distancing when they need to travel outside their homes to work, access foods, prescriptions, health care, and other necessities, or to engage in an outdoor activity. This Order does not require all businesses statewide to close or cease operation.”

However, Parson's order does not supersede or nullify orders that may be stricter, that have been implemented on the county or city level throughout the state.

More information here: https://governor.mo.gov/stay-home-missouri-order-guidance-and-frequently-asked-questions

What’s Allowed

Among the things the order says Missourians are explicitly allowed to do:

Go to grocery, convenience, or warehouse stores

Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities

Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first)

Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery, or drive-thru

Go to a place of worship – just make sure that no more than 10 people are in any single space at one time and keep 6 feet of distance between you and others

Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, fish, hunt, golf and be in nature for exercise – just keep six feet of distance between you and others

Receive deliveries from any business which delivers

And among the things that are explicitly banned:

Visit state office buildings that are closed to the public

Stand closer than 6 feet of distance from others

Visit loved ones in nursing homes, long term care facilities, and assisted living homes, unless you are providing critical assistance

Boating?

The order does not ban boating. In fact, it explicitly allows for fishing and for being “in nature for exercise,” with the caveat that people keep six feet of distance between themselves and others who are not part of their household. On Truman Lake, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed corps-operated campgrounds and beaches, as well as some boat ramps. On Lake of the Ozarks, boating is allowed and no ramps have been closed, although some local boaters have worried that people congregating at ramps could result in the shutting down of those areas.

Businesses Can Stay Open

The order does not require any businesses to close. Rather, it “means that no more than 10 individuals can occupy a single space, this includes both employees and customers.” It also requires people to maintain 6 feet of space between them and mandates employees to practice good hygiene and sanitation.

So in other words, under the state order, businesses can stay open as long as they follow those guidelines. However, some counties have passed stricter orders that have required some businesses to close. For example, in Camden County, salons, spas, and other personal service providers have been forced to close.

Businesses considered “essential’ are under less stringent rules. Essential businesses include but are not limited to:

Healthcare workers and caregivers

Law enforcement, fire fighters, and first responders

Government operations

Mental health and Social Service workers

Pharmacy employees

Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail sales of food and beverage products

Restaurant carryout and quick-serve food operations and food delivery employees

Farmworkers

Electricity and Utility Industry Employees

Critical Manufacturing Employees (medical supply chains, energy, transportation, food, chemicals)

Petroleum, Natural and Propane Gas Workers

Transportation and Logistics Workers

Communications and Information Technology Employees

Businesses that are considered “essential” under CISA guidelines and that engage in retail sales to the public are required to reduce the amount of people inside the place of business, to 25 percent of the occupancy limit for smaller locations (less than 10,000 square feet) and 10 percent of the occupancy limit for larger locations (10,000 square feet or greater).

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are encouraged to set aside hours outside of regular store hours where third-party delivery services can provide grocery shopping services for their customers. Grocery shoppers are urged to limit the number of people shopping to 1 per household.

Daycares

Daycares and childcare providers can continue to operate, but are directed to follow CDC guidance.

Restaurants

Restaurants do not have to close. Restaurants can be open for delivery, drive-thru, or carryout services as long as the other requirements of the Order are being followed. Restaurants are allowed to provide dine-in service but no more than 10 people can be in the restaurant at once, including employees.

Enforcing The Order

It appears the state will be relying on local law enforcement to enforce the order: “The State is working with local health authorities to support the order. Local health authorities and law enforcement maintain the same jurisdiction and authority they have always had.”

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