Patchwork of COVID-19 health orders might lead to misunderstanding for students coming to Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Not all students who have returned to Columbia are aware of the updated COVID-19 health order in place in Boone County.
Ian Cody, a bartender at International Tap House downtown, said it's been hard to regulate students who are not familiar with the restrictions.
"People are coming from different places and different towns, they either have stricter or not as strict health ordinances, so I think we are seeing a lot of people that don't know whats going in Columbia," he said.
Thousands of students have come to Columbia in recent days as the fall semester begins. Classes at the University of Missouri began Monday. Meanwhile, Boone County's cases are rising quickly, particularly in the college age range.
The county reported its sixth COVID-19 death Monday, as well.
Cody said he hasn't seen students struggling with wearing a mask, but most customers are finding it hard to practice social distancing.
"Social distancing especially at a bar is something that you have to stay on top of and definitely remind people of, because people get comfortable and they forget that a lot of people don't want them to be within their bubble," Cody said.
Silverball, an arcade bar downtown, violated the city's health order Saturday night, Columbia/Boone County Health Department Assistant Director Scott Clardy said.
Clardy said the bar had multiple violations, including having more than 100 people inside at one time, customers not wearing masks when they should be, people walking around with drinks and no social distancing.
The current Boone County health order requires customers at restaurants and bars to remain seated unless they're entering or leaving the business or going to a restroom.
The health department asked Silverball to get rid of some customers in order to be compliant with the local health order, Clary said.
The health department also flagged another major health order violation over the weekend. The pool at the Brookside Midtown student housing complex was shut down because of a health order violation Saturday.
Clardy said Saturday that the pool will only be able to reopen if a plan is presented explaining how Brookside can follow the local health order.
Check back for more on this developing story or watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.
