Restrictions to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 to Remain In Place Following Labor Day Holiday Weekend

COVID-19 reduction measures implemented three weeks ago will continue past the Labor Day holiday. Dr. Fredrick Echols, Acting Director of Health for the City of St. Louis has issued Executive Order #14, extending restrictions placed on bars and restaurants to limit the continued spread of COVID-19.

In the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Metropolitan area, the spread of COVID-19 continues to impact the health of residents in all communities. The seven-day moving average of COVID-19-related hospital admissions in the region remain in the mid to low 40’s, and individuals younger than 40 years continue to represent the majority of new positive cases in the City.

“We must stay vigilant in our actions if we wish to protect the health of our community by slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the City of St. Louis,” says Dr. Echols. “As we head into the holiday weekend, if someone relaxes their preventative measures, they could bring the virus home to their family or spread it to friends. Renewing these measures can help to reduce the positivity rate in the City of St. Louis.”

Health Commissioner’s Order No. 14 adopts and extends the following guidance and standards required beginning at 12:00 a.m. on September 8th and remains in effect until revised, modified, or rescinded, and remains under review continually:

1. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs shall limit their capacity to 50% of their permitted occupancy or less and shall close by 11:00 p.m.
2. Large venues shall reduce their capacity to 50% or less of their permitted occupancy and shall continue to comply with the Guidance and Protocols for Cultural Institutions/Destinations & Attractions/Large Venues attached to Order No 9 as Exhibit I. 
3. All businesses shall encourage employees and volunteers to quarantine or isolate if they have or are believed to have COVID-19 or if they have come into contact with individual(s) with COVID-19. All businesses shall encourage employees and volunteers who have been tested for COVID-19 to self-quarantine until they receive their test results.
4. Any business that closed as a result of an enforcement action or to protect the public’s health may conduct activities necessary to perform the following activities: maintain the value of a business’s inventory, provide security, process payroll or employee benefits, or to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely provided that such activities do not further endanger the public’s health.

A full copy of the Executive Order No. 14 extension can be found on the City’s COVID-19 website. Order No. 14 does not replace other provisions set forth in Orders 8, 9, and 11, including all attachments, which remain in effect.

Individuals, businesses, and entities with questions about these measures should contact RestartStLouis@stlouis-mo.gov. Residents who witness any business in violation are asked to make a report to the Citizens’ Service Bureau at 314-622-4800 or online at stlouis-mo.gov/csb.

Documents

• Health Commissioner's Order No. 14