Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon has announced that a plan to reopen economic and social activity in the county will start Monday, May 4.
The plan, which was announced today (April 28), also was signed by Jefferson County Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar.
The plan ends a stay-at-home order and an order prohibiting inside dining at bars and restaurants that have been in place to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The restaurant order, which restricted bars and restaurants from offering sit-down service, has been effect since March 20.
The county’s stay-at-home order has been in effect since March 23.
Gannon said the county’s plan to reopen businesses and other activity is identical to the “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan” announced on Monday (April 27) by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson.
“We encourage people to get out into their communities,” Gannon said.
Essentially, Gannon said, beginning May 4 there will be no restrictions on business operations and public gatherings.
“These are guidelines,” he said. “There is no order mandating that this is what you should do.”
He said because “every business in Jefferson County is different,” county officials could not draw up a one-size-fits-all plan to ease back into normalcy.
“The Jefferson County administration believes all county businesses are important to our county’s economy and families’ well-being; therefore, all businesses can reopen (on May 4),” he said.
He said it will be up to business owner’s discretion to determine the best way to proceed after May 4, and encouraged merchants to check the state’s guidelines under Parson’s plan for specifics.
Vollmar said those planning events that will draw large crowds are still encouraged to follow social-distancing standards.
Asked how she would respond to people who say it’s too early to lift restrictions since hospitalization rates for COVID-19 reportedly have not yet peaked in the St. Louis area, Vollmar said, “This is a very difficult, to balance the physical health of the community with its financial health. We have to look at both. As the county’s public health agency, we still encourage people who believe that they are at risk that they are safer at home.”
She said she and Gannon will monitor the number of hospitalizations in the area once the restrictions are lifted to determine whether changes are necessary.
“Closing things up was not intended to prevent cases, but to keep the hospitals from reaching capacity,” she said. “We understand that there will be more cases, but we’ll be looking at the numbers closely.”
Vollmar said her five-member Health Department board unanimously approved the joint order in an emergency meeting held earlier today.
“This is not a mandate to open or close,” Gannon said. “It’s a mandate to be wise.”
Echoing Parson’s briefing, Vollmar stressed that all Jefferson County residents should continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others, including:
■ Staying home when people are sick.
■ Washing hands often with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
■ Avoiding touching your face.
■ Sneezing or coughing into a tissue or the inside of elbow.
■ Disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces.
■ Avoiding socializing in groups that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing.
■ Minimizing travel.
Gannon said he and his administration would be working on a plan to reopen county government functions, including having public County Council meetings rather than by telephone.
“We hope to have the next meeting here,” Gannon said. “We might remove chairs to keep healthy distancing. And if we have to, we can go back to having it by telephone.”
The County Council’s next scheduled meeting is May 11.
St. Louis and St. Louis County officials have extended their stay-at-home orders indefinitely, while Jefferson County joins St. Charles County in adopting Parson’s plan.
Franklin County relaxed its business restrictions on April 24, but allowed certain businesses to only have 10 people in them at a time.
Parson’s guidelines for businesses encourage them to do the following:
■ Implement basic infection-prevention measures informed by industry best practices.
■ Modify physical workspaces to maximize social distancing.
■ Minimize business travel.
■ Develop an infectious disease preparedness and response plan.
■ Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider.
■ Encourage telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
■ Return to work in phases or split shifts.
■ Limit access to common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact.
■ Ensure sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance.
Parson said the first phase of his recovery plan is expected to continue through Sunday, May 31.
During the first phase, Missourians “may begin returning to economic and social activities but must adhere to social-distancing requirements, including maintaining 6 feet of space between individuals in most cases,” the state report said. “There are currently no limitations on social gatherings as long as necessary precautions are taken and 6 feet of distance can be maintained between individuals and/or families.”
In addition, “all businesses may be open provided the social-distancing guidelines set forth in the new health order are followed. Some businesses will be required to take additional precautions to protect their employees and the public, such as occupancy limits at retail locations.”
For more information on Parson’s recovery plan, visit ShowMeStrong.mo.gov. The county’s website, jeffcomo.org, also will include information.
