‘Stay Home Missouri’ order grants local leaders jurisdiction

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri will be under a statewide stay-at-home order as of Monday, but some counties already have orders in place.

Parts of Boone and Cole counties' orders are stricter than the new statewide "Stay Home Missouri" order.

Under the Boone and Cole stay-at-home orders, which are similar to each other, non-essential businesses will remain closed.

The county orders say that non-essential businesses must "cease all activities except minimum basic operations." The order says those kinds of operations include things like providing security, processing payroll or finding ways to allow employees to work remotely.

Under the state order, non-essential businesses will be able to stay open with a permit.

Essential businesses, like grocery stores, gas stations and medical offices, among other things, are allowed to stay open under all three orders.

Both Columbia and Jefferson City mayors shared their thoughts Friday on Parson's statewide order.

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said he was pleased with the state order.

"A statewide stay-at-home order will protect the health, safety and economic well-being of all Missourians, just like it has done for Columbia," Treece said. "Our order is already flattening the curve and reducing the impact on healthcare providers and first responders."

Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin said she was also pleased but had a reminder for people living in Cole County.

"The Capital City is already under a stay at home order and I am thankful to Governor parson for issuing stay at home statewide. Although the state's order doesn't begin until Monday, I want to reiterate to everyone in Cole County that ours is already in effect, and they are required to comply," Tergin said. "To those in other areas of the state not already covered by the order until Monday, I urge you to practice these measures now."