Scott County Commission repeals stay-at-home order, effective Monday

Thursday, April 30, 2020

BENTON, Mo. — The Scott County Commission decided on Thursday to repeal the county’s “stay-at-home” ordinance, effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday. However, residents are encouraged to continue practicing social distancing and good hygiene.

The official decision was made during the Commission’s regular meeting Thursday at the Scott County Courthouse in Benton.

“We have made this decision after much thought and research on the current state of COVID-19. On Monday Gov. (Mike) Parson announced his phase-in plan for reopening Missouri, and Scott County will follow his lead,” said Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Oesch following Thursday's meeting.

The ordinance, which went into effect April 4, was a collaborative effort with the Scott County Commission, Scott County Sheriff, Scott County Health Department, Scott County Prosecuting Attorney and all of the city municipalities in Scott County.

Citizens are encouraged to continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing, Oesch said.

“The purpose of the ordinance was never to ‘wipe out’ COVID-19, but instead to slow the spread and allow our medical professionals to be better prepared,” Oesch said. “In the last week, Scott County has seen a decrease in new reported numbers. We understand that business owners and citizens are anxious to get back to work and recover financially.”

The Scott County Health Department will put links on its Facebook page to the governor’s and Department of Health and Senior Services’ guidelines and recommendations, according to Scott County Health Department Administrator Barry Cook.

“A few of the counties are talking, and we’re trying to come up with and find some guidance for business owners,” Cook said.

In the past couple days, Cook said he’s fielded multiple phone calls from hair stylists and restaurants inquiring about the guidelines.

“We’re trying to look at not really giving business owners rules because they have the guidance we do, but some general guidance we think is good,” Cook said.

Businesses and individuals should still be practicing social distancing to the best of their abilities by limiting the amount of people coming into their places and possibly wearing masks, Cook said.

“Wearing masks can’t hurt,” Cook said. “If you have access to some masks – now, don’t go out and use up the N95s which are needed for the frontline workers — but general or homemade cloth masks are good. I’m not going to say they work — because I’m not a doctor — but it can’t hurt. A lot of people are wearing them out and about in places.”

As of Thursday, Scott County had 68 confirmed cases of the virus, according to Cook. Cases have been on the decline, he said.

“Actually over the last week or so, we saw a decline in confirmed cases, for sure,” Cook said. “I expect with the loosening up of this order, people will be chomping at the bit to get outside, and in two or three weeks, I think we should see an upturn in cases — and that’s only my opinion — but people still need to practice safety.”

Citizens can continue what they’ve been doing because the virus is still out there, he said.

“Just because businesses open doesn’t mean you have to go,” Cook said. “I’m not saying don’t go to a business, but if you feel it’s too early, you can still play it safe for a longer time period.”

There are some surrounding counties that are going to continue stricter policies, Cook said.

Oesch said county officials commended the citizens of Scott County for their support and adherence to the ordinance for the last several weeks.

“We want to thank everyone for what they did, the schools and businesses for closing and the restaurants for still offering the carryouts and keep what we could going. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be in the position to open back up,” said Second District Commissioner Donnie Kiefer. “We want to thank everyone for their patience. It’s something we’ve never seen before, and we wish everyone the best in the future.”

Kiefer said the Commission’s decision to lift the order was made after a long, hard discussion and out of respect for the governor reopening Missouri and out of respect for the 41,000 constituents of Scott County.

“Hopefully, we protected them and put a slowdown on this virus and get it under control,” Kiefer said.

Ziegenhorn agreed.

“We will never know how much we saved people from getting it, but we hope that we did,” said First District Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn. “We want to thank our citizens because we know it was an inconvenience, but hopefully, it’s been worthwhile.”

Ziegenhorn also expressed gratitude to the health department for their work during this pandemic.

“Barry (Cook) and his staff have done a great job for all the things they’ve done and will continue to do for the county,” Ziegenhorn said.

Again, Oesch said, citizens are reminded that COVID-19 is still prevalent, and they should still use caution, common sense and care in public gatherings. Any individual or business that wishes to continue restrictions are allowed to do so, the prosecuting attorney said.

“Repealing the ordinance just allows Scott County to move forward in the governor’s plan to reopen Missouri,” Oesch said. “And if the situation arises in the County where the commission feels the stay-at-home order needs to be re-enacted, the commission still has that option during this ever-changing situation.”

Ziegenhorn and Kiefer agreed.

“Hopefully, this will stay slowed down, and we can move forward,” Kiefer said. “If it spikes agin, we won’t have a choice but to enact the order again.”

Please, still remember to stay safe, Ziegenhorn added.

“It’s not over,” he said. “Everyone should take caution, and this may be a new way of life.”

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