ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — More businesses in St. Louis County will be allowed to open this month.
Bars in St. Louis County can reopen on June 8. All other businesses can reopen June 15, including gyms, pools, bowling allies, conference centers, casinos and mass sporting events.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page released the plan for reopening businesses in St. Louis County on Monday. Guidelines for reopening will be posted on stlcorona.com.
"The reason we have fewer (coronavirus) deaths than previously forecast is because of individual responsibility. Common sense is a powerful deterrent against a highly contagious virus," Page said during his briefing Monday morning.
"We have all been told repeatedly, ‘social distancing, wear masks, wash your hands.’ And because of these decisions, we’re in a better place today, where it comes to a point that we can get our businesses back online with guidelines to protect both our employees and also the patrons of those businesses."
Page also expressed support for ongoing protests over the death of George Floyd while asking that those who participate continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.
"‘Justice for all’ – this is a glaring imperfection in our country and these three words are not yet fully realized," he said. "As these demonstrations play out they do so as we respond to a pandemic that affects many of our families, and a disproportionate number of them are African American. It’s another example of inequity....
“We are a country that is scared, we are a country that is angry, we are a country that is holding out for the promise of justice for all. And when it is abundantly clear that those promises have been broken, then we will see marchers in our street.”
Page said that anytime there are mass gatherings, people need to practice social distancing.
"We saw a lot of that on Saturday... we saw masks and we saw social distancing," Page said. "Anyone who participates in these large crowds, who is not wearing a mask and is not social distancing, should quarantine, should stay away from others at high-risk and recognize that they are at high-risk for contracting COVID-19."
On May 18, the St. Louis area began its first phase of reopening.
During Page’s last COVID-19 briefing on May 29, Gov. Parson joined him. The two discussed economic recovery plans and the COVID-19 testing efforts for long term care facilities.
“I believe that our response here in St. Louis County, our focus on seniors in nursing homes, has saved lives. It was quick and alert reaction from our public health department. And it is really a testament to the work, the good work that they do every day for public health, for the residents of St. Louis County. I'm glad that Governor Parson is here to join us today,” Page said.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Page’s office said he will hold briefings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 a.m.
