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Health COVID-19 Event, Business and Organization Questions

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1. Where can I find additional information specific to workplaces, restaurants, schools, professional service providers, retail establishments, healthcare settings and other community organizations?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. The Department of Public Health has issued guidance for employers in these instances. This guidance provides additional details for:

• All St. Charles County employers.
• Offices and workplaces.
• Restaurants and food providers.
• Professional service providers - including hair and nail salons, body art facilities, massage therapists and others.
• Retail establishments.
• Churches and places of worship.
• Residential care facilities.
• Schools.
• Child care providers – including daycares and preschools.

Beyond St. Charles County’s guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides an excellent resource for up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19. Their website also offers specific guidance for certain groups, such as:

• Daycares, child care centers and schools
• Colleges and universities
• Workplaces
• Community- and Faith-based organizations
• Large gatherings and public events
• Healthcare providers
• First Responder Agencies and Officials

2. Is St. Charles County reaching out to various groups and organizations planning events with large gatherings to coordinate on best practices when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19?

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann announced that the county would follow Phase 2 of Missouri’s Show Me Strong Recovery plan. Effective June 16, 2020, this announcement lifts previously issued COVID-19 restrictions on individuals, businesses and organizations.

The Department of Public Health has issued guidelines for employers to follow as they re-open according to the plan. These recommendations are for all businesses and organizations, with specific guidelines for restaurants, professional services, churches, offices, transportation services, residential care facilities, schools and child care providers.

3. Where can I find more information about Governor Mike Parson's Show Me Strong Recovery Plan for Missouri and how it applies to St. Charles County?

Effective May 4, 2020, Missouri Governor Mike Parson implemented the first phase of the state’s Show Me Strong Recovery plan that will continue until at least May 31, 2020. On June 16, 2020, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann announced that the county would follow Phase 2 recommendations and lift previously issued COVID-19 restrictions on individuals, businesses and organizations. For information on this plan, please visit https://showmestrong.mo.gov.

The Department of Public Health has issued guidelines for employers to follow to continue health and safety efforts during the re-opening process. These recommendations are for all businesses and organizations, with specific guidelines for restaurants, professional services, churches, offices, transportation services, residential care facilities, schools and child care providers.

4. Who do I call if I see violations of the Governor or County Executive's orders or have other public safety concerns related to COVID-19?

If you observe violations of local public health orders or have concerns related to businesses that are not following good precautionary behaviors, please contact the Division of Environmental Health and Protection at 636-949-1800.

5. In light of several events around the country being cancelled, what is St. Charles County’s stance on asking various groups and organizations to cancel or postpone their gatherings?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist business owners and organizations during the re-opening process.

6. Do the guidelines and recommendations outlined in the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan and St. Charles County's guidelines apply to church services?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist church and organization leaders during the re-opening process.

7. Do the guidelines and recommendations outlined in the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan and St. Charles County's guidelines apply to funeral services?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist business owners and organizations during the re-opening process.

8. Do the guidelines and recommendations outlined in the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan and St. Charles County's guidelines apply to weddings?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist business owners and organizations during the re-opening process.

9. How does the Missouri and St. Charles County re-opening policies apply to restaurants and food-service providers? Does this apply only to indoor settings, or does it apply to the entire premises?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist business owners and organizations during the re-opening process.

10. What if I already have my marriage license and my wedding is cancelled?

Contact the Recorder of Deeds at recorder@sccmo.org. 

Additional information:

Effective June 16, 2020, the St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds has reopened to the public, with a representative on the first floor of the County Administration Building (201 North Second, in St. Charles) to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 virus. Individuals may also contact staff by phone, email, mail or e-Recording.

As of April 10, 2020, any marriage license issued by the St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds between Feb. 27 and March 20, 2020, will be honored until Dec. 31, 2020. One of the applicants must appear in the office with the original marriage license within 30 days of the new ceremony date to receive a new marriage license at no cost.

Please note: The Recorder of Deeds only issues marriage licenses; the Recorder of Deeds cannot perform marriage ceremonies. Thank you.

11. How does the St. Charles County re-opening policy apply to daycares/preschools/child-care providers?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist business owners and organizations during the re-opening process. In addition, operators should follow the CDC guidance targeted for those operations.

12. How can large businesses and factories still operate with their employees under the current prohibitions?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist business owners and organizations during the re-opening process.

13. My business is re-opening/returning back to operating as normal, but I don’t feel comfortable returning to work, do I have to go?

St. Charles County cannot provide individual legal advice. Please refer to your private legal counsel for assistance with this matter.

The County does provide operational guidelines to help employers continue to protect the health and safety of employees and customers.

14. My business/My job has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, can you help me?

A list of resources is available to help St. Charles County businesses and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. You may also seek answers from the St. Charles County Missouri Job Center and the County’s Office of Workforce and Business Development.

15. What if my job requires me to be within six feet (6’) of another employee and/or customer?

While the State of Missouri and St. Charles County will allow businesses and organizations to open as they feel comfortable after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders, it is the ultimate choice by the organization itself as to whether or not they do open. St. Charles County will not compel any business or organization to remain open if they do not choose to do so.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for employers to assist business owners and organizations who may operate within recommended social distancing norms.

16. I coach or play organized sports or manage a neighborhood/community pool complex. Do the re-opening policies apply?

As St. Charles County does not operate any athletic fields, sports complexes or aquatic facilities, it is first recommended that you speak with the facility owners about their interest in operating their business. If they so choose to open, they may do so after June 16, 2020 under the Show Me Strong Recovery plan orders.

The Department of Public Health has released guidelines for athletic complexes and athletes to enhance the health and safety of all involved.

Licensed public aquatic facilities must also adhere to polices outlined by the St. Charles County Aquatic Facility Code.

17. Can St. Charles County provide any assistance on opening public pools, hot tubs or other aquatic facilities? What guidelines must I follow?

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann has announced that the County would follow guidelines outlined in Missouri’s Show Me Strong Recovery Plan, that is effective as of June 16, 2020. According to the Governor and County plans and CDC recommendations, pools may open as they so wish, with recommendations that they follow social distancing and other disease prevention guidelines. However, you must also consult with any requirements your facility must follow according to the County aquatic permit.

• Show Me Strong Recovery Plan FAQ
• CDC guidelines for aquatic facility operations
• St. Charles County Employer Guidelines for COVID-19, with industry specific recommendations for pools and aquatic facilities
• St. Charles County Aquatic Code

If you have additional questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health and Protection, which issues the County pool operation permits, at 636-949-1800 and/or the municipality where the facility is located - if within city limits.

18. My question was not listed among these FAQs. Where can I go for additional information?

The CDC is an excellent resource for up-to-date information on COVID-19. Here are FAQs answered on their website.

For questions about St. Charles County’s Employer Guidelines and industry specific recommendations, please visit our COVID-19 website.

For questions about the State of Missouri’s Show Me Strong Recovery plan, please visit the Governor’s website.

For additional questions, please call the St. Charles County Public Health COVID-19 Information Hotline at 636-949-1899.