Why was this order issued?
This order was issued to protect the health and safety of all residents, with the goal of limiting the continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community.
How long is the order in effect?
The order took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2020 and will remain in effect through 12:01 a.m. on May 4, 2020. The order will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and may be modified as circumstances for Perry County change.
What does this order require?
The order requires residents to stay at home unless they are engaged in one of the essential activities specified in the order. Essential activities include working in an essential business, obtaining supplies or necessary services, seeking medical care, caring for a family member or loved one, or exercising and maintaining personal health. Individuals must practice social distancing of 6 ft. apart from others to the extent feasible while engaging in these activities, and to stay home if not engaging in one of these specific activities. Residents are also asked not to gather in groups greater than 10.
Why does Perry County’s order differ from the state or national directives that have been put in place?
The orders put in place by the Perry County Commission and the Perry County Health Officer are tailored to fit the unique needs and demands of the community. Federal guidance and State orders, are broader due to the population they serve but local leaders utilize that guidance as a resource in future response planning. The ultimate goal of community leadership is to keep our public safe and disease-free.
Will residents be subject to penalties such as arrest or citations for leaving their homes?
Residents can leave their residences to engage in essential activities, including exercising and maintaining personal health (walking/bicycling/running/etc.), going to work, obtaining supplies or necessary services, or seeking medical care. We strongly urge residents to stay at home if they are not engaged in any of these essential activities as this will greatly aid efforts to stop the community spread of the COVID-19. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one-year in jail, up to a $1,000 fine, or both such jail time and fine. See RSMo Sec. 192.32.
Does my business qualify as an essential business as defined in the special order?
Major categories of essential businesses defined in the order include:
- Health care (doctors, dentists, nurses, hospitals, pharmacies, medical research facilities, labs, ect)
- Food and drink production and distribution (including grocery stores, and markets that offer food for carryout, liquor stores);
- Sanitation (including Laundromats, dry cleaners, household and business cleaning services and supply stores);
- Transportation (including gas stations, public transit, taxis, airports, railroads and other private transportation providers);
- Financial Services (including banks, insurance providers, and professional services required to comply with legal and regulatory requirements);
- Manufacturing and distribution of supplies and materials for essential businesses (including trucking and other supply chain support functions);
- Maintenance and construction of infrastructure and households;
- Utility Services;
- Child care;
- Essential Government Operations;
- Residential facilities (including hotels and motels);
- Media and Communications Providers (including newspapers, radio stations and television stations); and
- Mailing, Shipping, and Delivery services.
A full list of categories of essential businesses is provided in the order. We strongly encourage all essential businesses to allow employees to work from home and/or to maintain social distancing to the extent feasible in continuing to carry out their operations.
My business does not fall under one of the categories deemed essential. Can it remain open if health precautions are taken?
Effective at 12:01 a.m. April 27, 2020 non-essential businesses and operations within the county may re-open but must comply with the social gathering and social distancing requirements mandated by the State of Missouri’s order that require a social distance of 6 ft between individuals and no gatherings of 10 or more people.
As the owner of a retail business, should I regulate the amount of people in my business?
Yes, per guidelines created by the State of Missouri, you should limit the number of individuals in any particular retail location as follows: If you are an essential business, Twenty-five percent or less of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of less than ten thousand square feet, or ten percent or less of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of ten thousand square feet.
Non-essential retail business (i.e. clothing stores) must comply with the social gathering and social distance requirements of the Order. This means no more than 10 individuals can occupy a single space, including both employees and customers. Individuals must also be able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others
Do businesses and/or employees need formal certification or identification that they qualify as an essential business and/or are employed at an essential business?
No.
How will this emergency order be enforced?
We are relying on the goodwill and common sense of residents to follow the Commission’s Order that has been implemented. Should the county be made aware of a resident or organization not following the order, we will provide education to ensure they fully understand the order released. If needed, fines and penalties will be used as a last resort. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one-year in jail, up to a $1,000 fine, or both such jail time and fine. See RSMo Sec. 192.32
Is construction activity classified as essential?
Yes, activities at open construction sites, and related architectural design, and land surveying activities, are classified as essential, provided social distancing can be maintained.
Are manufacturing facilities classified as essential?
Any manufacturing operation that supplies goods necessary for the operation of other essential businesses (for example medical equipment, transport equipment, telecommunications equipment, supplies necessary to maintain or build infrastructure, sanitation and cleaning supplies, food or beverages, etc.) is classified as essential.
Are restaurants open for business?
Restaurants must comply with the Perry County Health Officer’s current operation order. This order states that patrons cannot enter or exit the facility. Food and beverage must be exchanged curb side, delivery or drive-thru.
Are bars and private clubs open?
Bars and private clubs must comply with the Perry County Health Officer’s current operation order. This order states that patrons cannot enter or exit the facility. Any food or beverage must be acquired curb side, delivery or drive-thru.
Are hotels and motels classified as essential?
Yes. We recognize that individuals employed in essential businesses, who travel (for example medical workers or infrastructure maintenance workers) and/or individuals who find their homes temporarily uninhabitable may need to secure shelter.
Are home repair and maintenance services classified as essential?
Yes, home repair services including plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and essential businesses are classified as essential.
Are child care providers allowed to be open for business?
Yes, only to the extent that they are providing childcare to working families. The County and municipal governments of the County recognize that many workers need access to child care to continue to work. The order includes the following guidance for child care providers and the City and County recommend that all providers comply with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regulations and take reasonable actions to comply with social distancing requirements as well as sanitation requirements. Contact the Perry County Health Department for further clarification.
Are Legion Lake and Perry County Community Lake open?
Both of these recreational areas are open, and have never been closed for public use due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are encouraged to enjoy fresh air and outings at these places, as long as social distancing guidelines are followed, and groups of 10 or more do not gather.
Are liquor stores and other markets that sell liquor classified as essential?
Yes, businesses that distribute food or drink are classified as essential. We encourage the maintenance of social distancing to the extent feasible in all cases.
How are personal services, such as nail salons, hair salons, tanning facilities and spas affected by these orders?
Retail portions of such businesses may open for operation as long as operators can ensure employees and clientele can adhere to gathering restrictions and social distancing measures as all individuals must be able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others enhanced sanitation efforts are practiced. Personal services that involve touch or close proximity are not able to comply with such guidelines and remain suspended under the State of Missouri’s order. In all cases, no more than 10 individuals can occupy a single location, which includes both employees and customers. Tanning facilities may open, but must maintain proper cleaning protocol of beds. However performing spray tans can only occur if no physical contact occurs between individuals.