93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Boone County’s health director is ready to loosen up several restrictions in place because of COVID-19.
Stephanie Browning said at Monday night’s Columbia City Council meeting the plan is to allow most businesses to expand to half their capacity starting next Tuesday, May 26, with social distancing. That includes the return of venues like bars (without counter service) and movie theaters. The capacity limits are on track to end June 22.
Browning says if there is a spike in cases, the restrictions may have to come back.
“There’s some personal responsibility involved when you go out, and caring for others,” Browning said. “Then there’s the responsibility of the businesses and organizations and institutions to make sure that they plan right.”
Public gatherings of up to 50 people will be allowed, with social distancing. Bigger crowds are possible after June 22: up to 100 people starting June 23, and up to 250 people from July 24-Aug. 24.
Playgrounds, parks, and trails are set to fully reopen for the summer. Pools can open too, with several restrictions.
While Boone County has confirmed five coronavirus cases since Saturday, the county has only reported nine total positives since May 4.
“We’re at a point where I think given our good numbers we can start to think how can we move ahead, loosen some restrictions,” Browning said.
I love that they use low number as excuse to reopen when 9 case over a 2 week(May 4 to May 17th) period seem small but if you go back the previous 17 day before the May 4th we have only had 9 case from March 17th to May 3rd. They should have open Boone then and not a month later. I am not even sure they should have ever close any place in Boone. just put social distance standards in and leave it at that. Honestly we have had more influence case and death in Boone county this year than Covid19 yet we let them treat us all like cattle and herd us around.