Boone County News Release

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Stay At Home Order Enacted for Entirety of Boone County

March 24, 2020 – A Stay at Home Order effective for the entirety of Boone County, Missouri has been adopted by the Boone County Commission.  Boone County Order number 2020-03C will go into effect at 8:00AM on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 and will continue to be effect until 8:00AM on Friday, April 24, 2020. The order requires all individuals currently living in Boone County to stay at home or in their place of residence except for reasons identified as essential. The length of time the order will be in effect is subject to change as more information is learned and the circumstances evolve.

The Boone County Commission, acting upon the guidance of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Director Stephanie Browning, is enacting this order in collaboration with the City of Columbia’s Stay at Home Order. As COVID-19 cases numbers continue to climb in our community, it is increasingly necessary to take measures to slow its spread; the only measure known to be effective is to avoid contact with individuals who have contracted the virus. By enacting this order, the Boone County Commission is reducing exposure for the maximum number of people possible within its power, while still allowing for the provision of essential services.

This decision, made through collaboration with other stakeholders throughout the community, was not entered into lightly. The impact of this pandemic on our economy, both national and local, is already monumental and the Commission is aware of the additional impact this order will have going forward. However, in order to protect the health and well-being of the citizens of Boone County and to support the healthcare system in the battle against this novel coronavirus, the difficult decision to issue a Stay at Home Order was necessary.

Individuals currently living in Boone County are required to stay in their home or place of residence except to perform essential activities, to engage is essential government functions or to operate essential businesses and operations. Essential activities include but are not limited to shopping for groceries or other necessary personal items; obtaining medications or healthcare; providing essential care to another person; performing personal care activities, such as laundering clothes; working in an industry identified as essential; or engaging in outdoor activities.

To view the order in its entirety, please click here.

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