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Statewide social distancing begins today; local businesses adjust
SIKESTON — On Saturday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson directed the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams to order statewide social distancing beginning Monday.
Individuals “shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, or food courts; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed throughout the duration of this Order,” according to the news release issued by Parson.
“As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop, this is a critical step in protecting the health and safety of Missourians,” Parson said in the release. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for all citizens to practice social distancing and abide by this order, which is backed by intense deliberation and knowledge.”
The order also says individuals should not visit nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, or assisted living homes unless to provide critical assistance. The order does not prohibit schools from providing child care and food and nutritional services for those children that qualify.
The order took effect Monday and will last until 12:01 a.m. April 6 unless extended by Williams.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, was up to 183 Monday afternoon, according to statistics released by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service. There have been three deaths in Missouri.
With Parson’s order, a number of local businesses and services in Sikeston have made temporary changes.
The Sikeston Housing Authority issued a statement that they will intend to close this week, and staff will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic with the offices possibly closed longer.
The release said all service calls would be limited to emergency situations, as determined by the maintenance staff. All tenants should make all scheduled payments on time, utilizing a money order, and placing it in the drop box located at the office.
Also, Sikeston BMU canceled the scheduled hydrant flushing scheduled for this week.
Other local business updates:
• LaRuleta is open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for pickup or drive-thru. Delivery also available for banks, hospitals, and businesses only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.
• El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant has closed its dining areas.
• Quick Chek, Quick Chek II, and J&E Wholesale Outlet will continue to stay open. They do suggest to send one member of the immediate family to do the shopping to keep the crowds to a lower number.
Quick Chek is also looking for immediate temporary help and will be hiring this week.
• Pizza Inn is still open and offering special deals for carryout, dine in, or delivery.
• Colton's Steak House & Grill will only offer carryout and delivery beginning today. They will also be selling groceries out of the restaurant. Call the store to place the order to be picked up.
• El Bracero Mexican Restaurant has closed its dining area and will be offering pickup orders only.
• Kirby’s Sandwich Shop will be offering call in and carry out only.
• Watami is doing take-out orders only.
• Jay’s Chicken has closed their dining area, but drive-thru and pick up is still available. They will open at 6 a.m. instead of 5 a.m. and close depending on business.
• Merick’s Sandwich Shop is ceasing operation. Anyone needing groceries can personal message Merick’s Facebook for a time to meet. Only payment with credit cards is accepted. Anyone needing food with no funds available can contact Kristi at Merick’s for help.
• JD's Steakhouse is ceasing operation until further notice.
• Parengo will offer only curbside service beginning Monday. Orders can be made by calling or pulling up and waving with a smile.
• The dining area at Bo’s Breakfast & Bar-B-Q is closed but are continuing their drive-thru and are now offering curbside pickup. Orders can be made by phone, online or through Facebook Messenger. Bo’s is also temporarily expanding their hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• Subway at 1203 E. Malone has a drive-thru window and has inside pickup at that location as well as their location inside Walmart. Orders through the app are also accepted.
• Taco John’s in Sikeston is offering drive-thru only.
• Susie’s Bake Shop & Restaurant is offering carry-out or delivery.
• Bear Creek Mercantile in Charleston is closed for daily business but available by phone for deliveries or meet at 573-380-4554 or 573-391-4553.
• Mary Ada’s in Portageville has closed their dining area but is offering delivery and curbside pickup. Normal hours of 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. will continue with additional hours of 5-8 p.m. offered for weeknights.
• Katie’s Diner in Portageville closed their dining room but will offer drive-thru pickup from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Delivery will also be available inside the city limits from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• McClains Food Center in Charleston is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with truck deliveries continuing to arrive twice a week.
• City Limits Grill in Charleston is ceasing operation.
• Casey’s General Stores in Charleston are open regular hours with all ready-to-eat foods handed to you by employees rather than self serve.
• Waffle & Pancake House in Charleston has closed their dining area but offering curbside from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Monday through Sunday.
• The Charleston Chamber of Commerce is operating as normal but with no public access.
• The Portageville Community Care Center will implement a temporary policy regarding scheduling patients. Well and sick visits will have separate, designated appointment times. Please call the office to schedule. Only one person will be allowed to accompany a patient to their visit. Any additional persons have to wait in their vehicle.
• Tis the Season in Portageville will temporarily close their storefront, but shopping is still available by phone, texting, or through Facebook. Curbside delivery will continue as well as free in-town delivery.
• All New Madrid Chamber events have been postponed or canceled until further notice; this includes the Chamber banquet (the Traeger grill fundraiser will have an extension) the April First Friday Coffee and the City Wide Yard Sale.
• Visitors to Susanna Wesley in Charleston has restricted to lobby and outreach activities. They canceled in-person adult education classes.
• New Madrid Farm and Home is using temporary hours. They are now open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning Tuesday and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday.
• The New Madrid County Collector’s Office has closed for the meantime to window traffic. Payments can be made over the phone, dropped into the white mailbox on the south side of the courthouse, and through the mail.
BANKS
• All FOCUS Bank lobbies have closed, but drive-thru windows, ATMs, and digital banking options are still open.
• First State Bank & Trust Co., Inc. has closed their lobby, but all banking needs can be done through their drive-thru and/or call center during regular business hours.
• First State Community Bank is offering lobby access by appointment only, but drive-thru service hours are still the same, and they also offer ATMs, online banking, and a mobile app.
• Montgomery Bank is operating its drive-thru only with essential lobby visits made by appointment only. Online banking, ATMs, and their mobile banking app are also available.
• First Midwest Bank is limiting lobby access at all branch locations, but the drive-thru windows will continue to operate as normal. Lobby appointments are still available by phone call.
• Regions Bank drive-thru services are open at their locations during regular hours, but lobby access is by appointment only.
• All branch lobbies of Southern Bank will be open by appointment only, but full-service banking is available in the drive-thru.
• Citizen’s Bank branches have closed their lobbies, but their drive-thru services are open.