FILE – In this Jan. 15, 2020, file photo, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson waves as he concludes the State of the State address in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:03 AM PT — Friday, June 12, 2020
Missouri is preparing to reopen all businesses next week amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, Gov. Mike Parson announced the removal of all restrictions beginning Tuesday, June 16.
The move comes as virus hospitalizations in Missouri dropped by 43 percent since May, while other milestones in the state’s recovery plan such as expanded testing capacity have been reached. However, Parson did grant local officials authority to implement further rules, while encouraging residents to continue following health guidelines.
“Just because we’re fully reopening the state does not mean that the steps we’ve taken so far should be forgotten,” he stated. “The virus is still out there and it is still extremely important for everyone to continue social distancing.”
Beginning Tuesday, June 16, Missouri will be FULLY OPEN for business. pic.twitter.com/M9SruMyZ86
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 11, 2020
Despite reopening, the governor also extended the state’s emergency status to December 30 in order to continue utilizing federal relief aid.
Cars line up outside a drive-through COVID-19 testing site set up by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and operated by the Missouri National Guard in St. Charles, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
