JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson has issued a statewide stay-at-home order for Missouri. The governor made the announcement Friday from Jefferson City, calling it “Stay Home Missouri”.
The order begins at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 6. It’ll remain in place through Friday, April 24.
It calls for Missourians to avoid leaving their homes unless necessary.
It also places added restrictions on how many people are allowed inside "essential" retail businesses, such as grocery stores and hardware stores.
“First and foremost, I want everyone to know that I love this state and the people of this state,” Gov. Parson said. “The people of this great state clearly define who we are in Missouri, and as Governor, I have no greater responsibility than to protect the health, well-being, and safety of all Missourians.”
Before issuing the order, Missouri was one of 10 states that didn’t have a statewide stay-at-home order.
The order does not ban Missourians from essential services. Residents will still be able to go to the grocery store, gas station and the bank, and they'll still be able to do outdoor activities. However, everything must be done while still following social gathering and social distancing measures.
"What we have seen and what the medical experts have told us is that, in some instances, the essential businesses have become hotbeds for transmission as people flocked to those locations and risk spreading the virus even further," Parson said.
That's why, under the statewide order, Parson is limiting the number of people allowed inside essential retail businesses to only a percentage of the building code occupancy. A full breakdown is below.
The governor said, "Local public health authorities are directed to carry out and enforce the provisions of the Order by any legal means."
The governor's office said small business owners who fall into the non-essential category but believe they provide an essential service can apply for a waiver here.
The order requires the following:
- All individuals in the state of Missouri shall avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people.
- All public and charter schools must remain closed for the duration of the Order.
- Any entity that does not employ individuals to perform essential worker functions, as set forth in guidance provided by the federal government, shall adhere to the limitations on social gatherings and social distancing.
- Any entity that employs individuals to perform essential worker functions, and that is engaged in retail sales to the public, shall limit the number of individuals in any particular retail location as follows:
- Twenty-five (25) percent or less of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of less than ten thousand square feet (10,000 ft²);
- Ten (10) percent or less of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of ten thousand square feet (10,000 ft²) or more.
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"There comes a time when we have to make major sacrifices in our lives. Many of us make sacrifices each and every day, but now more than ever, we must all make sacrifices,” Governor Parson said. “This is not about any one individual person. This is about our families, friends, neighbors and the entire state of Missouri. For the sake of all Missourians, be smart, be responsible, and stay home, Missourians.”
You can watch the full announcement from Gov. Parson by clicking play on the video below.
You can read the full stay-at-home order from the governor by clicking here.
Missouri’s coronavirus cases topped 2,000 on Friday.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri has 2,113 confirmed COVID-19 cases, which is 279 more than on Thursday.
The state report included 19 deaths, which was unchanged from Thursday.
However, the state’s report on Friday included three deaths in St. Louis County. Earlier Friday, the county confirmed its seventh death from the coronavirus. The state also is reporting three deaths in St. Charles County, but that county’s health department confirmed six deaths Thursday night. And Jefferson County confirmed its first death COVID-19 death on Thursday, but it’s not included in the state’s count.
Those additional deaths would bring the state’s total to at least 27 people statewide.
You can see a county-by-county breakdown of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Missouri with 5 On Your Side's interactive map below.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.