LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — All Missouri businesses and social events will be allowed to reopen next week as long as residents and business owners continue to practice proper social distancing requirements, Gov. Mike Parson announced Monday.
The Republican governor said the first phase of the reopening might look different in various regions of the state and local governments will be able to impose stricter limitations if their officials believe it is necessary. But he said as of next Monday, Missourians will be able to return to all businesses, such as restaurants, manufacturing plants, gyms and, hair salons, along with churches, sporting events and social gatherings.
Kansas City's stay-at-home order is scheduled to continue through May 15. St. Louis, which has had a majority of the state's cases, has not yet said when it will lift its order.
There will be no limit on the size of social gatherings if people maintain the current 6-foot social distancing efforts but some businesses — such as retail stores — will be required to take extra steps, such as limiting occupancy, he said.
“We are successfully flattening the curve,” Parson said. “With the help of all Missourians, our plan is working. The health care system is not overwhelmed and we are winning the battle."
The news conference was interrupted several times by protesters. The governor acknowledged many people will disagree with decisions made throughout the pandemic but he said he believes Missourians will look back on the state and local efforts with pride.
The decision to reopen was made based on favorable data and approval from state health officials, but Parson warned reopening will be gradual and is “the turning of a dial, not the flip of a switch.”
The first phase of reopening will last through May 31. State and health officials will re-evaluate the data later in May to determine the next step.
The decision comes as state state reported 7,171 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 288 deaths on Monday, up from 6,997 cases and 274 deaths on Sunday. The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected without feeling sick.
Parson, along with state, health and business leaders, said the decision was based on four “pillars” that have been reached — expanding testing capacity across the state, expanding reserves of personal protective equipment, continued monitoring of the hospital and health care system capacity and the improved ability to predict where “hotspots” of the disease might spring up in the state.
Herb Kuhn, CEO of the Missouri Hospital Association, said the reopening will include a phased in resumption of elective surgeries, which many people and doctors have postponed because of fears of the coronavirus. Hospitals are prepared to return to restricted operations if needed but the good social-distancing efforts of state residents and planning by state and health officials “puts us in a place where we believe we can safely move to this next step.”
Nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes and assisted living homes, which have been hotspots in Missouri, must continue stronger guidance to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Parson and Rob Dixon, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, stressed that the reopening will be successful only if Missourians use common sense, follow social distancing guidelines and continue proper hygiene.
Dixon said businesses are encouraged to implement safety measures such as temperatures testing, modifying work spaces, using staggered shifts and limiting access to common areas as the state continues to fight the virus for the foreseeable future.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
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JEFFERSON CITY —Governor Mike Parson announced Phase 1 of the “Show Me Strong” Recovery Plan during his Monday news conference.
The order will begin Monday, May 4 and extend through Sunday, May 31.
"This will be a deliberate process, and is flexible to adapt to different situations."
"Some communities may be able to reopen at a faster rate, while others may need to continue some restrictions to keep the virus from spreading.
Nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, and assisted living homes must continue to have stronger guidance to mitigate the risks of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
Later in May, we will re-evaluate Missouri-data to determine next steps," he said.
"Missouri’s economic recovery plan will focus on the diversity of Missouri – its people, businesses, and communities among others.
A strategic “reopening” of the economy will not be successful without proactive steps taken by our state’s businesses & citizens to mitigate risk.
During Phase 1, we can gradually start to reopen economic and social activity.
However, we should continue to maintain social distancing and practice good hygiene to protect ourselves and others.
Monitoring and expanding hospital capacity is another essential pillar of the recovery plan.
Our hospitals are stable. All regions have demonstrated reductions in hospitalized cases, with the exception of St. Louis. Expanding our PPE reserves and using public health data two predict potential outbreaks are also an important part of our plan."