Social Distancing Order goes into effect; Class A Misdemeanor for those that don’t abide

MACON, MO -- The Office of the Macon County Prosecutor Attorney, headed by County Prosecutor Josh Meisner, released a press release late Sunday evening regarding the announcement in making citizens aware that they can face legal repercussions if they do not follow the statewide order mentioned below that entails social gatherings being limited up to 10 persons (read below for more information regarding workplace, grocery store, and other possible exceptions). In short, citizens can be punished with a Class A Misdemeanor upon failing to follow the guidelines set forth below. Class A Misdemeanor can result up to one year in jail and up to a hefty $2,000 fine. Missouri Governor Mike Parson gave the order in regards to Statewide Social Distancing, beginning at midnight earlier today and will last until April 6th. As the Global Pandemic of COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, within the United States, and Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as of this article being published (March 23rd @ 7:00 a.m.), in the Show-Me-State there have been a total of 106 cases of the virus reported with one being in Adair County, just north of Macon County. There has been three reported deaths (occurring in Boone, Jackson and St. Louis Counties). The age group of 20-29 year-olds has the most reported cases, harboring 26 of the 106 reported known cases in Missouri.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MACON COUNTY PROSECUTOR:

"In order to protect public health and safety and to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 the Macon County Prosecuting Attorney’s office is sharing the following order. Under section 192.320, RSMo, failure to follow such an order is a Class A Misdemeanor. The range of punishment for a Class A Misdemeanor is up to one year in jail, up to a $2,000.00 fine, or both.

“The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, finding it necessary to protect public health and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, pursuant to the authority granted under section 192.020, RSMo, hereby orders the following:

1. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid social gatherings of more than ten (10) people. For purposes of this Order, “social gatherings” shall mean any planned or spontaneous event or convening that would bring together more than ten (10) people in a single space at the same time.

2. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, or food courts; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed throughout the duration of this Order.

3. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, people shall not visit nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, or assisted living homes unless to provide critical assistance.

4. In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, schools shall remain closed. This Order does not prohibit schools from providing child care and Food and Nutritional Services for those children that qualify. Teachers and staff may enter the building as long as they follow the directives set forth in this Order.

This Order does not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, so long as necessary precautions are taken and maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including maintaining at least six feet (6’) of distance between all individuals that are not family members.

For offices and workplaces that remain open, individuals shall practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COVID-19. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this Order will expire. Local public health authorities are hereby directed to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Order by means of civil proceedings. The Order will take effect beginning 12:01 A.M. Monday, March 23, 2020 and remain in effect until 12:01 A.M. Monday, April 6, 2020 unless extended by further order of the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services with said extensions not to exceed the duration of the effective period of Executive Order 20-02.”

Thank you for doing your part in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 in Macon County."