New Boone County health order takes effect Wednesday at noon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County's latest health order set to go into effect Wednesday at noon will lift all occupancy limits on businesses.

While businesses will not be limited by occupancy limits, social distancing and mask guidelines are still required. Some business owners told ABC 17 News that the 6-feet social distancing requirements will still limit capacity.

Below are all modifications to the new health order (all still require social distancing and masking):

• Occupancy limits for large gatherings or events held at businesses have been removed.
• Occupancy limits for entertainment venues have been removed.
• The limit on group size at bars, restaurants and entertainment venues has been removed. Social distancing between groups or tables is still required. Masks are still required when not seated.
• At child entertainment facilities and arcades, capacity limits are removed but limiting occupancy is encouraged.
• Childcare, day camps, and other similar providers may operate and are encouraged to limit the number of participants in any single group to a maximum of 50 children. Additional guidelines are still required.
• Social distancing at pools should be maintained.
• Organizers of sports and activities are encouraged to conduct activities in stable groups. Social distancing requirements and face mask requirements must be met for all spectators but limits for the number of spectators have been removed.
• Public gatherings of more than 250 people need to submit an Operational Plan for approval.
• All employees who are unable to be vaccinated and are able to work from home should continue to work from home to the greatest extent possible.

As of Wednesday morning, 27.8 percent of Boone County residents have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This brings the total first doses administered to 50,128, with 26,013 people completing the vaccination process in Boone County.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Director Stephanie Browning said, "While many in our community are being vaccinated, not everyone has had the opportunity to be vaccinated yet so we need to continue spread mitigation efforts such as masking and social distancing to keep our community safe and healthy."

In Boone County, 25 new COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday, with the five day rolling average currently sitting at 11.

The five day rolling average is at its' lowest point since March 3.

Browning said she is glad to see there haven't been any recent spikes in COVID-19 in Boone County.