Following the lead of the State of Missouri and the recommendations of local, state, and national public health officials, the West Plains City Council has extended its Stay at Home Order through 11:59 pm Thursday, April 30, as the City attempts to safeguard the health and well-being of West Plains citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Order, approved unanimously by Council, now matches Missouri’s Stay at Home Order with the exception of its end date, with the City extending the order an additional six days through April 30. The Order requires individuals to remain in their residences unless performing “essential activities” for their home or business, prohibits any public gatherings of ten or more people, and requires any businesses not defined as “essential” to cease.
Citizens and businesses are encouraged to read the complete Order by visiting westplains.net, and clicking on the green “Stay at Home Order Facts” button at the top of the landing page. The Order includes definitions of essential activities and a listing of essential businesses, as provided by the State of Missouri.
Occupancy limits are now in effect, with the Order requiring retail operations to limit the number of customers in a building to 25 percent or less for businesses with less than 10,000 square feet, and 10 percent or less for locations with 10,000 square feet or more. That percentage is based on the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy.
Under the Order, all citizens and businesses must follow social distancing rules of at least six feet per the President’s mandate.
Businesses found to be in violation of the Order will first be contacted by a member of the City and advised they are in violation. If the business is unable to show that they are an essential business according to guidelines from the Order and Homeland Security and continues to violate the Order, the business will be issued a warning by the West Plains Police Department. If the business remains open in violation of the Order, the business could receive a summons from the Police Department. Punishment could be a fine or jail time.
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