Missouri Senate will not be in session next week amid concerns over coronavirus

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Senate will not be in session next week, according to State Sen. Caleb Rowden.

Rowden tweeted Wednesday night that the Senate will not be in sessions "as we work to ensure the safety of our members and Capitol guests from the ongoing #COVID19 realities."

Rowden said that he would release a full statement on Thursday.

The announcement comes after state lawmakers asked the public to avoid the State Capitol unless they are directly involved in legislative business.

Lawmakers also ended public access to the House chamber and some other public spaces.

“Schools, advocacy groups, and the public at large should strongly consider the reality that a large and diverse population travels to and from the Capitol on a daily basis,” said Senate President Pro-Tem Dave Schatz. “Most people will not be at risk but, as with any other infectious disease, we need to remain vigilant because populations we may come in contact with, such as the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, are at risk.”

In a letter to House members Wednesday, House Speaker Elijah Haahr said five people worked in the Capitol on Monday and Tuesday after attending a conference in New Orleans where an attendee tested positive for COVID-19.

Haahr said legislative leaders asked the conference attendees to record how they spent their time in the Capitol.

Lawmakers plan to communicate with those the conference attendees came in contact with inside the Capitol, Haahr wrote.