CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) - The gradual reopening of Missouri's economy continued Monday, as restaurants and most nonessential businesses began operating in St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis, but residents were urged to keep following safety guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the reopening of businesses should not be considered a victory because too many people have died and too many families are suffering because of the pandemic. Health officials said 335 people have died from COVID-19 in St. Louis County.
"So we cannot let this gradual and thoughtful reopening be looked at as a return to normal. It's really far from it," Page said.
Most Missouri businesses were allowed to reopen May 4, when Republican Gov. Mike Parson's stay-at-home order expired. However, Page and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, both Democrats, extended their orders through Sunday because a majority of the state's confirmed cases and deaths had occurred in that region.
Gyms in St. Louis County are still prohibited from opening because the risk of transmitting the coronavirus is too high. The county will continue to work with gyms on reopening plans, Page said.
A lawsuit filed by the county seeking to shut down two House of Pain gyms that reopened earlier this month in defiance of the county's order will be considered by a federal judge. A hearing on the dispute scheduled in county court Monday was postponed when the attorney for House of Pain said he was taking the case to federal court, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Page said the next step in the reopening will depend largely on whether people adhere to restrictions, such as social distancing. He said the county will monitor hospital admissions and tests results, and will consult with hospital systems in determining future decisions on reopening.
Campgrounds and other high-traffic areas in the state's park system also reopened Monday, although only for those with reservations. The parks system will begin taking reservations Monday for dates beginning March 26. Campers will encounter a new cashless, self-check-in system and some areas will limit occupancy.
Beaches at state parks are scheduled to open Thursday.
While most universities and colleges in Missouri are still considering how and when to reopen, two smaller colleges said they plan to have on-campus classes in the fall.
Harris-Stowe State University, a historically black school in St. Louis, and Central Methodist University, a private school in Fayette, announced they would implement new safety measures to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff when they return to campus.