Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon issued an executive order Monday that extends the joint stay-at-home order that he and Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar issued on March 23, but at the same time sets a date for the possible start of a gradual reopening of the county.
The joint stay-at-home order, which was set to expire just before midnight April 23, has been extended through just before midnight on May 3.
“There are no modifications, just an extension,” Gannon said, noting that guidelines on businesses, including bars and restaurants, remain in place.
Those guidelines were extended indefinitely on April 2. Gannon said the restaurant order likely will be modified before May 3.
Gannon said the May 3 date was chosen as a possible end to the orders to coincide with the order Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued.
“We anticipate that a lot of coordination of effort will take place in anticipation of May 3,” Gannon said. “While nothing has been decided, an easing of the restrictions will still include an element of social distancing.”
To allow local merchants and residents to prepare for a possible easing of restrictions, more information may be forthcoming later this week, Gannon said.
“People need to be prepared and informed,” he said. “We’ve (regional and state officials) talked about a lot of things, but nothing is set in stone. And the important thing is that people have to know they’re safe. That’s a big concern.”
Gannon said he doesn’t foresee moving the May 3 date up earlier, but, barring unforeseen circumstances, doesn’t see extending the restrictions in their current forms past then.
“We need to make sure we don’t do anything incredibly stupid right now,” he said.
Gannon said he witnessed a small group of people protest in Hillsboro on Monday, demanding that he lift restrictions.
“They called it a protest, I called it a parade,” he said. “They didn’t tell me anything new. I get it, I understand. They didn’t have to tell me. We don’t want to violate anyone’s liberties and we’re sensitive to that. I guess I’d say it was a nice day to get out and protest.
Gannon said he’s heard people say the number of coronavirus cases in the county hasn’t warranted the stay-at-home order.
“Some people have told me that in our county, it’s all been restricted to one place (Festus Manor Care Center), and while that may be true, the caregivers there go home to their families and are out in public,” he said. “The numbers (in the region) of people testing positive and being hospitalized are still going up.”
An executive order declaring a state of emergency in the county to qualify for state and federal aid will remain in effect at least through May 15, Gannon said.
He said it is important for Jefferson County residents to continue the next two weeks practicing proper hygiene practices and social distancing so preparations can continue for a return to normal routines.
