Stay-At-Home order issued for Vernon County

NOTE: A PDF version of the order can be accessed here.

On Thursday, April 2, 2020, the Vernon County Commission entered an order declaring a public health emergency and issuing a "stay-at-home" order. The order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, April 4, 2020, and will expire on Saturday, April 25, 2020, unless it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.

Under the order, individuals in Vernon County "may leave their residences or place of rest only to perform essential activities."

The order states that (pursuant to 192.300, 192.320, 192.020 RSMo) any sheriff deputy or other law enforcement officer of the state or any political subdivision within Vernon County, Mo., is "hereby ordered to assist in the execution or enforcement of this order."

In addition, the order states that "violating a public health order designed to 'prevent the entrance of infectious, contagious, communicable or dangerous disease' into Vernon County can be punishable of a fine of up to $2,000."

Important aspects of the order are listed as follows:

"Essential Activities" shall mean:

• To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), or close personal acquaintances, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.

• To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or close personal acquaintances, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residence.

• To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation biking, walking, hiking, or running.

• To perform work providing essential products and services at an essential business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations, as defined infra, at non-essential businesses.

• To care for a family member, close personal acquaintance, or pet in another household.

• To seek shelter from a severe thunderstorm and/or tornado to the extent necessary to preserve safety and ensuring they return to their place of residence or place of rest as soon as possible.

It is important to note that essential activities do not include, family gatherings outside of those that live within the residence or place of rest, weddings, funerals, wakes, memorial services, or similar gatherings. However, outdoor memorial services consisting of immediate family are permitted to the extent that the participants comply with social distancing requirements.

Non-essential business includes, but not limited to , theaters, gyms and recreation centers, bars, hair/nail salons and spas, bowling alleys, museums, auditoriums, and large meeting halls, outdoor spectator sports.

Essential business means any for-profit, non-profit, or educational entities, regardless its corporate or entity structure and includes: healthcare operations and essential infrastructure, grocery stores, markets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and persons; food cultivation including farming livestock and fishing; human and animal food processing facility workers; businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities fo life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals; newspapers, television, radio, and other media services; gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities; banks and related financial institutions; hardware stores; plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cemetery workers, undertakers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, essential activities, and essential businesses; businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes.

The order contains a longer list of essential businesses. Read this and the entire Stay-At-Home order in the link to the PDF at the beginning of this article.