Missouri governor extends COVID-19 order through mid-June

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri's current COVID-19 health order will be extended through mid-June.

Gov. Mike Parson said at his regular COVID-19 briefing on Thursday that he will extend the state's current "Phase 1" reopening order through June 15. The order went into effect May 4 and was set to expire Sunday.

Watch a replay of the briefing in the player below.

"Some communities across the state are farther along than others when it comes to reopening and economic recovery," Parson said. "Extending the order will give these communities more time to prepare and align with us at the state level as we continue working toward Phase 2."

He said the extension was not because Missouri has regressed in its fight against COVID-19. Instead, Parson said the extension is meant to make sure the state is fully prepared to move to "Phase 2."

The extension will also align with executive orders and a state of emergency, Parson said.

The order allows all businesses to open but directs them to follow social distancing requirements, including limited seating in restaurants. Retail businesses are held to 25 percent or 10 percent of their building capacity, depending on their size.

Nursing homes remain off limits to the public under the order. The size of gatherings is no longer limited, though some local orders, including one in Boone County, place limits on gatherings.

Parson warned that changes to everyday life because of COVID-19 will have to continue for an indefinite amount of time.

"We have said all along social distancing will be a part of our lives for some time. This was true a month ago and it’s true now," Parson said.

The governor said he was "extremely" confident in the state health care system's ability to keep up with the demands of treating COVID-19 patients.

State officials have repeatedly said the number of hospitalizations and the strain they bring to the health care system is more indicative of the pandemic's effects on Missouri than overall cases.

As of Thursday, the Missouri Hospital Association reported 648 hospitalizations, an increase of four from the previous day but well below the peak of more than 900.

Hospital reported more than 2,000 available ventilators.