Governor extends Phase 1 of recovery plan through June 15

During his Thursday media briefing, Gov. Mike Parson announced he was extending the first phase of his reopening plan through June 15. It was originally scheduled to expire Sunday.

He said the decision was not because of any setback but to ensure that the state is ready to move to the next phase.

The first phase of the plan requires social distancing, typically 6 feet of space, though with some exceptions. Some businesses also are required to put limits on indoor occupancy.

“During Phase 1, citizens may re-engage in economic and social activities but must adhere to social distancing requirements, including maintaining six feet of space between individuals in most cases,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.

“There are currently no limitations on social gatherings as long as necessary precautions are taken and six feet of distance can be maintained between individuals and/or families,” the release states. “Additionally, all businesses can be open provided that the social distancing guidelines set forth in the health order are followed.

“Local officials will still have the authority to put further rules, regulations, or ordinances in place so long as they are not inconsistent with the statewide order,” according to the release.

Parson’s “Show Me Strong Recovery” plan contains four “pillars,” according to the release:

• Expand testing capacity and volume in the state,
• Expand reserves of PPE by opening public and private supply chains,
• Continue to monitor and, if necessary, expand hospital and health care system capacity,
• Improve ability to predict potential outbreaks using Missouri’s public health data

Extending Phase 1 aligns with the governor’s other executive orders and the state of emergency in Missouri, the release stated.

And, because some communities in the state are further along than others in recovery efforts, extending the first phase will give them more time to prepare to work toward Phase 2.

The governor has not outlined what the next phase will entail.

Deaths from the coronavirus in Missouri have topped 700. The state health department Thursday cited 11 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 707. It also reported 181 new confirmed cases, bringing the state’s total to 12,673.

About 27,000 Missourians applied for unemployment benefits last week, according to data released Thursday. Nationally, about 2.1 million Americans applied for benefits, a sign that companies are still slashing jobs, even as more businesses reopen and rehire some laid-off employees.

Check out more of the AP’s coronavirus coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak