Jefferson County Health Center Board of Trustees Order Number 20-08-27-01

Last evening, August 27th, 2020, the Jefferson County Health Department Board of Trustees voted on an order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community. You can read the signed order here in full.

ORDER NUMBER 20-08-27-01

Sections 1-8 of the ordinance are also listed below:

Section 1: By virtue of the authority vested in Board of Trustees of the Jefferson County Health Center by the Missouri Constitution, the Laws of the State of Missouri, Chapter 192 RSMO, the following order shall go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on August 31, 2020 after its passage by three-fifths of the members of the Board of Trustees and shall remain in effect until September 25, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by later adopted order.

Section 2. All places of public accommodation  shall institute as outlined herein appropriate health and safety protections including physical distancing techniques (e.g. requiring people to  be at least six feet apart; reducing the number of employees or customers, or other people present; reducing face-to-face contact and keeping the same to a minimum; using phone calls, virtual meetings and drop­ offs/curbside pickups rather than in-person contact.)

For purposes of this Ordinance, "place of public accommodations:" means a business or an education, refreshment, entertainment or recreation facility or an institution of any kind, whether licensed or not, whose goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations are extended, offered, sold or otherwise made available to the public. Place of public accommodation includes facilities of private clubs, including country clubs, golf clubs, sports clubs, athletic clubs and dining facilities and places of worship.

Section 3: Citizens should limit unnecessary travel as much as is practical; ensure proper hygiene to the greatest extent possible; continue to utilize electronic financial and other transactions; and restaurants are urged to promote and continue, even while allowed to fully open, a full take out service as much as possible.

Section 4: Gatherings and places of public accommodation shall be limited in any one place and any one time under this ordinance to ensure individuals maintain 6 foot physical distance and required face mask can be ensured.

Section 5: Wearing of Face Masks Required. Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance all persons age five years old and above who are present within Jefferson County are required to wear a clean Face Mask any time they are, or will be, in contact with other people who are not household members. CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don't live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Definition. As used in this ordinance, a "Face Mask" means a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers only the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face. A covering that hides or obscures the wearer's eyes or forehead is not a Face Mask. A Face Mask may be factory-made, or may be handmade and improvised from ordinary household materials.

Any mask that incorporates a one-way valve (typically a raised plastic cylinder about the size of a quarter on the front or side of the mask) that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling allows droplets to be released from the mask, putting others nearby at risk. As a result, these masks are not a Face Mask under this Ordinance and must not be used to comply with this Ordinance's requirements.

Section 6. Employers to Provide Face Masks to Employees. Any time an employee or staff person is required to wear a Face Mask pursuant to this ordinance, the employer shall make face masks available in sufficient quantity to assure each employee can wear a clean Face Mask at all times.

Section 7. Exempted Activities. A person may remove their Face Mask where otherwise required under the following circumstances:

a.        While outdoors when able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others;

b.        While exercising outdoors or while exercising indoors when able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others;

c.        When engaged in a sporting activity;

d.         While at home and exclusively in the presence of members of their own household;

e.         When in your or your family's personal vehicle;

f.           While eating or drinking only when inside or in the outside dining area of a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, provided that person is able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from persons seated at other tables, and provided this distance restriction is enforced by the restaurant or other establishment;

g.         When an individual has a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents wearing a Face Mask;

h.         When any party to a communication is deaf or hard of hearing and not wearing a Face Mask is essential to communication;

i.           While obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the Face Mask, such as dental examinations;

j.            When necessary to confirm the individual's identity;

k.         When federal or state law prohibits wearing a Face Mask or requires the removal of a Face Mask;

I.       When requested by a law enforcement officer;

m. When requested by a medical provider, including emergency response personnel;

n. When in a business/commercial/office setting and not within six feet of any other person; provided however, when moving from place to place in a business location where the person cannot maintain at all times a distance of six feet from all other persons a Face Mask shall be worn;

Section 8: If any part of this Order is invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect the remainder of this Order.