St. Louis County Announces New Restrictions for Social Gatherings, Update on School Recommendations

In an effort to flatten the COVID-19 curve, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page this morning announced seven new mandates for businesses, with particular emphasis on gatherings at bars and restaurants. The following mandates begin at 5 p.m. on Friday:

• Gatherings will be limited to 50 people or less. Preapproved events will receive a notification from the St. Louis County Department of Health.
• The county is rolling back business occupancy rates from 50% to 25% capacity.
• Bars and restaurants will close at 10 p.m. to prevent late-night gatherings that are an area of concern for social distancing and face coverings.
• A new process is being rolled out to temporarily close businesses that do not comply during the pandemic.
• Individuals who are waiting for tests results have to quarantine to avoid the possibility of spreading the virus if they do have COVID.
• All health care providers, particularly at urgent care locations, must report test results promptly.
• St. Louis County is working on providing safe places for teachers to quarantine.

Page expressed concern about the possibility of those traveling to other counties or coming to St. Louis County spreading COVID-19. He hopes state-wide mandates can be put in place and/or followed to help curb the rising numbers.

Page also urged parents to consider online options if available for their child’s schooling this fall, stating the following:

“It’s my recommendation as a parent that parents who can, choose the virtual option if it’s available,” Page said. “I know that the virtual option will be difficult for many. My son wants to be back in his class this fall. He’s a senior, and he wants to be with his friends. I understand – virtual learning is not the same. I know that for some parents, virtual learning creates challenges. Some parents have kids with special needs. They need that support structure, that predictability for their kids to be able to learn. This is not something I would ask the community to do if it weren’t to protect the health and welfare of the kids and their parents and their neighbors. It’s all at stake. St. Louis County is resilient and will get through this best as we know how.”

St. Louis County reported 523 new cases on Sunday, breaking Friday’s record-setting number, which was 375. Currently, the rate of new diagnoses is highest
among people aged 20 to 29 years, and lowest among people aged 9 years and younger.