Mayor Krewson Announces Additional Public Health and Safety Measures to Combat Resurgence of COVID-19 Cases

Mayor Lyda Krewson today announced the implementation of additional public health and safety measures to protect the community at large and combat an ongoing resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

In the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Metropolitan area, there has been a sustained increase in the percentage of the number of people testing positive. The seven-day moving average of COVID-19-related hospital admissions in the region has also increased from less than 20 to more than 40. Additionally, over the last month, individuals in their 20’s and 30’s have represented more than 50% of the new positive cases in the City.

“We continue to see an increase in positive cases in the City of St. Louis, particularly among young people who often times show no symptoms. And while they might not always have the underlying health conditions that can land them in the hospital for an extended period of time, they still present a significant risk of infecting others,” said Mayor Krewson. “Our intent here is to ensure the maximum number of people and businesses take prudent precautions to reduce the exposure to, and slow the spread of, COVID-19.”

Under Health Commissioner’s Order No. 13, which has been signed by the City’s Acting Director of Health, Dr. Fredrick Echols, the following guidance and standards will be required beginning Thursday, August 13 and remain in effect through September 7:

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 Order No. 13 can be found on the City’s COVID-19 website. Order No. 13 does not replace other provisions set forth in Orders 8, 9, and 11, including all attachments, which remain in effect.

Individuals, businesses, and/or entities with questions about these measures should contact RestartStLouis@stlouis-mo.gov.

Documents

• Health Commissioner's Order No. 13