Boone County Eases Some Restrictions Next Week

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services announced a framework for most businesses in Boone County to reopen next Monday, with limitations on occupancy. Individuals at high risk should continue to stay at home and not interact with others unless necessary. Those working from home should continue to do so as much as possible. Most businesses will be able to reopen with capacity limits and maintain social distancing requirements. Locations with less than 10,000 square feet must maintain 25 percent or less of their usual authorized occupancy. Larger ones are limited to ten percent. Facilities that offer personal care services, such as hair and nail salons, massage services and others, will have more restrictive limits. Large venues, movie theaters, bars, playgrounds, hot tubs and spray grounds will continue to be closed. Mass gatherings of more than 10 people are still not permitted. The department will soon also have an online, voluntary training for businesses to certify that they are using best safety practices during COVID-19.