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All large gatherings of people in Cole County will be prohibited as of 12:01 a.m. Monday morning, following guidelines recommended by President Donald Trump and the Centers for Disease Control to keep COVID-19 from spreading.
The order making this official was signed Thursday afternoon by Cole County Health Director Kristi Campbell. State statue allows for the county health director to issue such an order.
The order, which includes "large public gatherings are those with more than 10 people in attendance, both indoor and outdoor," is in effect until further notice.
This applies to restaurants, bars and movie theaters. Curbside, take-out, drive-thru, and food delivery may still be done by these establishments.
Law enforcement officials will be ensuring the order is being followed by such entertainment establishments.
Establishments exempt from the order include government and judicial functions, child care facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, health care facilities, private business operations, and religious and faith-based activities.
Cole County Health Director Kristi Campbell said large businesses such as Walmart and Unilever are exempt from this order.
Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin, a business owner herself, said her business would be exempt from this order, but she will follow the guidelines and only do curbside business at Carrie's Hallmark.
Tergin also announced Thursday the city's Madison Street Parking Garage will be free to use until further notice. Parking enforcement of the downtown Jefferson City area will also be temporarily halted.
All fixed-route fares for the JeffTran public bus service are being temporarily suspended, Tergin added. JeffTran officials are asking that riders enter and exit through the rear doors of all fixed-route buses and not use seats near the drivers. Handi-Wheels is not included in this fare suspension.
"We're also asking that residents avoid coming to city government facilities in person for the time being," Tergin said.
Residents can still call Jefferson City Hall at 573-634-6410 for assistance, and payments may be left in the dropbox at the front entrance of City Hall.
Two people in Cole County have tested positive for COVID-19, as of Thursday afternoon. Both cases were said to be travel-related. Health officials would not say Thursday what their conditions were.
Visit "Mid-Missouri business coronavirus-related closings and announcements" for more information.