New health order says restaurants and bars may resume normal operating hours - ABC17NEWS - ABC17News.com

Columbia/Boone County Department of Health and Human Services issued a modified coronavirus health order Monday that removes the requirements that restaurants that serve alcohol and bars close early.

Browning said in a news release introducing the modified order that Boone County continues to see a decrease in the number of COVID-19 infections and the five-day rolling average of new cases has dropped significantly.

"We remain hopeful that infections will continue on the decline with the modifications to the Health Order, but it’s important for our community to continue with the COVID protocols-- social distancing, masking and handwashing-- that have shown to be effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19," Browning said.

The health department said updated business and sports guidance will be released by the end of the week.

Sara Humm with the health department said the numbers like active case numbers look really good to lift restrictions and have remained low for a considerable amount of time.

With the new capacity limits Humm said it will be even more important people wear masks and social distance because data shows those are important factors to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Humm said the health department and director Stephanie Browning has had conversations with local business owners to hear their concerns and thoughts on the local restrictions.

Kanne said his staff still needed to discuss what they would change under the new order.