New Boone County health order removes hours limits on bars and restaurants

Columbia and Boone County’s health department is lifting limits on hours at bars and restaurants in the next coronavirus health order.

Health director Stephanie Browning said Monday those businesses can return to their normal operating hours. The latest health order forced them to close by midnight.

The order also increases limits on public and private gatherings, from 20 to 50. It sets the limit on large gatherings and events at businesses at 200 people, or 50 percent capacity.

The new health order takes effect at noon on Thursday, Mar. 4, and runs through Mar. 24.

Read the city order here.

Read the county order here.

(This story was last updated at 5:50 a.m. Tuesday.)