St. Louis County bans gatherings of more than 250 in effort to slow coronavirus
St. Louis County leaders Friday announced prohibition of gatherings of more than 250 people in the county to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, following St. Louis city’s ban on gatherings announced Thursday.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page announced the ban Friday in a state of emergency order hoped to slow the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
“The county’s role in this crisis is to prepare, educate, and respond. That’s what we’ve done, and the announcements I’m making today are a continuation of those efforts,” Page said.
The order makes it illegal for any intentional gathering of 20 people or more in a single space or room and bans gatherings of more than 10 people that are part of “at-risk” individuals.
Individuals of older age or with heart or lung issues are considered at risk, according to the Center for Disease Control.
The announcement follows St. Louis City’s decision to ban gatherings of 1,000 or more Thursday. Mayor Lyda Krewson said slowing the spread of COVID-19 was of the utmost importance at a press conference announcing the decision.
Both the city and county’s bans are to remain in effect until further notice.
Events and gatherings are being canceled across the country as concern over the spread of COVID-19 grows.