Many ignore health recommendations during holiday weekend
LAKE OF THE OZARKS Mo. (KMIZ)
Thousands of people flocked to the Lake of the Ozarks on Saturday for Memorial Day weekend.
Caleista Sciortino, who is visiting from St. Charles said it's nice to have a break from wearing a mask.
"Feels really good to be out here honestly, it doesn't even feel like this whole coronavirus has been going on," Sciortino said. "Staying safe in the meantime as much as we can but living the best life here because everyone's happy, no one's judging you and you don't have to wear a mask."
The current state Economic Reopening Health Order asks every person and business in the State of Missouri to abide by social distancing requirements, including maintaining six feet of space between individuals.
The order also says restaurants may offer dine-in services while following guidelines including social distancing and 10 people max to a table.
The Lake of the Ozarks stretches across Camden, Miller and Morgan counties however the Missouri State Highway Patrol is the only law enforcement agency on the lake.
Scott White, a spokesperson for the Missouri State Highway Patrol says they prepared for a busy weekend.
"So right now we encourage people to make sure they maintain that social distancing, that's not really a huge concern for us at the lake because it is a big area, and you know we just ask people use common sense when they're out there on the waterways," White said.
This year's counting period for the holiday weekend begins at 6 p.m., Friday, May 22, and ends at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2020.
Sciortino said data will show whether there is a spike in COVID-19 cases after the holiday weekend.
"For right now it's all coming back and it feels normal life is coming back to normal," Sciortino said. "I love that I'm seeing a lot of faces, I'm happy with a lot of people are out, maybe dangerous, but we'll see the cases when this weekend is over."
