Governor Parson announces first phase of “Show Me Strong Recovery” plan to begin May 4

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced the first phase of the “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan outlining how Missouri will gradually reopen economic and social activity during his COVID-19 briefing Monday.

Parson, who will end the state’s stay-at-home order Monday, May 4, said it will be a “turning of the dial, not a flip of a switch” with the first phase of the plan to extend through May 31.

Resting on four essential pillars, the “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan is intended to protect those most at risk of exposure to COVID-19 while returning Missouri to a new normal:

1. Expand testing capacity and volume in the state

2. Expand reserves of PPE by opening public and private supply chains.

3. Continue to monitor and, if necessary, expand hospital and health care system capacity, including isolation and alternate care facilities for those that cannot self-quarantine at home

4. Improve ability to predict potential outbreaks using Missouri's public health data

This framework will allow the state to work through a gradual reopening, leading to broader economic recovery.

Parson said all businesses can be open provided that the social distancing guidelines set forth in the new health order are followed. Some businesses will be required to take additional precautions to protect their employees and the public, such as occupancy limits at retail locations.

“All of Missouri’s businesses, employers, and employees are vital to our state’s economy and well-being,” Parson said. “Opening these businesses is going to look very different for awhile, but I’m confident Missourians will abide by the guidelines as we move forward.”

During phase one of the plan, citizens may begin returning to economic and social activities but must adhere to social distancing requirements, including maintaining six feet of space between individuals in most cases. There are currently no limitations on social gatherings as long as necessary precautions are taken and six feet of distance can be maintained between individuals and/or families.

While the state stay-at-home order will be lifted, Parson said cities and counties can have stricter guidelines where needed and some communities may be able to reopen at a faster rate than others. Local officials will have the authority to put further rules, regulations, or ordinances in place so long as they are not inconsistent with the statewide order. Currently Scott County and the City of Sikeston have orders that would need to be lifted by May 4 to end the stay-at-home order.

The Sikeston City Council has scheduled a meeting for 11 a.m. Wednesday to vote on ending the stay-at-home order.

According to President’s Trump reopening plan, they are asking states to meet have a downward trend of influenza and COVID-like illnesses for 14 days and Parson said he believes Missouri is seeing that. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams agreed.

“I think if you look at the data we post every day and the number of cases. I noticed yesterday on ‘Meet the Press’ they did a map of the 17 states around us that had their peak number of cases in the last seven days and the only state in the middle of that map that didn’t is Missouri,” Williams said. “If you look over our cases the last several weeks, our cases are declining for the whole state. Our modeling shows over the next seven days those cases will continue to decrease.”

Williams was asked during the briefing if the state was giving enough tests and he said it was, adding that the state was doing 3,000 tests Monday in Buchanan County and will be doing 4,000 tests in areas that previously didn’t get as much testing, such as Mississippi County this week.

“Just we are ourselves have arranged for 9,000 tests and that’s just us, not even people being tested by their doctors,” Williams said.

Williams also is giving help to smaller health departments to help better track contact tracing.

Even as Missouri gradually reopens, citizens are encouraged to continue taking precautions to protect themselves and others: 

• Stay home if sick

• Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer

• Avoid touching your face

• Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of elbow

• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces

• Avoid socializing in groups that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing

• Minimize travel to the extent possible

Additionally, all businesses are encouraged to do the following:

• Implement basic infection prevention measures informed by industry best practices

• Modify physical workspaces to maximize social distancing

• Minimize business travel

• Develop an infectious disease preparedness and response plan

• Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider

• Encourage telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations

• Return to work in phases and/or split shifts

• Limit access to common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact

• Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance

“As we begin to reopen, we will be prepared, but the virus is still here. Protect yourself and the people you love. Take care of each other,”  Parson said. “Together, we will defeat COVID-19. Together, the state of Missouri will come back stronger than ever before.”

For more information on the “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan, please visit ShowMeStrong.Mo.Gov.  

To view the full public health order and additional guidelines for businesses, communities, and citizens, please see attachments. These documents will also be available on Governor Parson’s website, the DHSS website, and the Show Me Strong Recovery website.