ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — More people will be allowed inside businesses in St. Louis County after officials announced eased restrictions earlier this week.
Bars, gyms and restaurants can operate at 50% capacity as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page made the announcement on Oct. 5 during a briefing.
"Thank you to everyone in St. Louis County for wearing masks, for social distancing and for adjusting your lives to keep our community safe. We must all continue to exercise caution and remain committed to the precautions that have gotten us to where we are today," Page said on Monday.
Previously, the businesses had been operating at 25% capacity for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bars and drinking establishments still must close by 10 p.m., according to the guidelines. Bars that are separate areas in restaurants and hotels or other facilities (such as roof top bars, lounge bars, and other defined areas where primarily alcoholic beverages are served) must close by 10 p.m. each evening. Alcoholic beverages, however, may be served in the restaurant area while customers are dining after 10 p.m.
As the weather cools down, the capacity limit now at 50% allows restaurants to have more people inside.
County executive Page also announced high-contact youth sports can resume, which includes football, hockey and basketball.
"And in many places across St. Louis County this Friday, football will be played. This is a work in progress. The rest of our community is coming together to comply with our mask mandate, with our social distancing guidelines. And that's what has allowed us to make these changes and improve our public health orders in St. Louis County," Page said during a Wednesday morning briefing.
