If you have specific COVID-19 questions for Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services email [email protected].
Current Columbia/Boone County Community Health Orders
May 3 – City of Columbia and Bone County leaders held a press conference announcing that if current data trends continue, the Public Health Orders in Boone County and Columbia will expire on May 12 and not be replaced. The Columbia/Boone County Public Health Department strongly recommends masking and social distancing, especially in indoor spaces, but will not mandate these measures. Because of these strong recommendations, businesses, schools, and other entities may continue to require these measures.
March 22 – Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Director Stephanie Browning issued Public Health Order 2020-21 and 2020-21(c). These orders go into effect at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on March 24, 2021, and will expire at 11:59 a.m. on April 14, 2021, unless extended, rescinded or modified prior to such expiration.
Below are the modifications to the Order.
- Occupancy limits for large gatherings or events held at businesses have been removed. Social distancing and masking are still required. (The previous order stated 50% or a maximum of 200 people.)
- Occupancy limits for entertainment venues have been removed. Social distancing and masking are still required. (The previous order stated a maximum of 200 people.)
- The limit on group size at bars, restaurants and entertainment venues has been removed. Social distancing between groups or tables is still required. Masks are still required when not seated. (The previous order stated no more than 10 persons per table.)
- At child entertainment facilities and arcades, capacity limits were removed but limiting occupancy is encouraged. (The previous order stated a maximum of 100 children with the total capacity limited to 200 individuals.)
- Childcare, day camps, and other similar providers may operate and are encouraged to limit the number of participants in any single group to a maximum of 50 children. Additional guidelines are still required. (Previously, the maximum of 50 was required.)
- Social distancing at pools should be maintained. (The previous order included language about occupancy limits for pools not monitored by an attendant.)
- Organizers of sports and activities are encouraged to conduct activities in stable groups. Social distancing requirements and face mask requirements must be met for all spectators but limits for the number of spectators have been removed. (The previous order stated stable groups of 50 participants was required and spectators were limited to 50% occupancy or 100 maximum for indoor events and 200 maximum for outdoor events.)
- Public gatherings of more than 250 people need to submit an Operational Plan for approval but social distancing and face masks are still required. (Previously, gatherings were limited to 50 people.)
- All employees who are unable to be vaccinated and are able to work from home should continue to work from home to the greatest extent possible. (The previous order stated that all employees who are able to work from home should continue doing so.)
Past Columbia/Boone County Community Health Orders
March 1 – Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Director Stephanie Browning issued Public Health Order 2020-20 and 2020-20(c). These orders go into effect at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on March 4, 2021, and will expire at 11:59 a.m. on March 24, 2021, unless extended, rescinded or modified prior to such expiration
- All gatherings or gathering places are limited to 50 people, including both public and private gatherings, unless otherwise specified in the Order. Social distancing requirements and/or face mask requirements must be observed. (The previous order limited gatherings to 20 people.)
- Any large group gathering or event held at a business or institution open to the public is limited to 50% of the authorized occupancy or a maximum of 200 people. (This was changed from the previous maximum of 100 people.)
- Restaurants, bars and entertainment venues may resume normal operating hours, subject to the operational requirements set forth in the order. (Closing time was midnight in the previous order.)
- Bar service and buffet service are allowed with social distancing and face mask requirements observed by patrons. Any patron ordering at the bar, visiting the buffet or otherwise moving about the premises is required to wear a face mask at all times. (Bar and buffet services were not allowed in the previous order.)
- Entertainment facilities are limited to 200 individuals, provided an Operational Plan meeting the minimum requirements is submitted and approved by the Health Director. (The previous order listed 100 total individuals.)
- At child entertainment facilities and arcades, capacity shall be limited to 100 children with the total capacity limited to 200 individuals, provided an Operational Plan meeting the minimum requirements is submitted and approved by the Health Director. (The previous order listed 50 children and 100 total individuals.)
- For indoor sports, the spectator area for any sport is limited to 50% of the occupancy based on the applicable fire code or 100 people maximum, whichever is less. For outdoor sports, the spectator area is limited to 50% of the occupancy or 200 people maximum, whichever is less. (Indoor and outdoor sports were grouped together in the previous health order.)
- Personal care services are limited to social distancing occupancy and must follow face mask requirements except when necessary to provide services for which social distancing or a face mask are not possible.
- Guidance for disinfection has been altered in this order to reflect FDA recommendations. This includes the removal of guidance requiring disinfection of shared items in between each use. Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces is still required.
February 10 –
Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Director Stephanie Browning issued Public Health Order 2020-19 and 2020-19(c). These orders go into effect at noon on Feb. 12, 2021, and are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on March 4, 2021, unless otherwise extended, rescinded or modified.
All restrictions under the previous health orders remain in effect. There is a modification to the order detailed below.
- Restaurants and bars serving alcohol and entertainment venues can stay open until midnight.
January 14 –
Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) announced an additional extension of Public Health Orders, issued by Director Stephanie Browning. These protocols are identical to the seven previous orders and are extended through Orders 2020-18 and 2020-18(c). The orders are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2021, unless otherwise extended, rescinded, or modified.
The current COVID-19 protocols include:
- Face masks must be worn by those over the age of 10 when social distancing cannot be maintained. This applies to both within Columbia city limits and within Boone County.
- Maintain social distance from those outside your household at all times.
- To increase safety and maximize social distancing within the establishment, all businesses are strongly encouraged to operate at a capacity less than otherwise permitted. Businesses are also encouraged to provide services remotely or in a manner maximizing social distancing such as curbside, pickup, delivery, etc.
- Entertainment venues, bars, and restaurants serving alcohol must close by 10:30 p.m.
- Restaurants and bars must maintain social distancing between tables. No more than 10 people may be seated at a table. Patrons must be seated at all times; the exceptions are when entering/exiting the business or visiting a restroom facility. When not seated, patrons must wear a face mask.
- Sporting events are limited to 100 spectators or less. Athletes must remain in stable groups of 50.
- Any large group gathering or event held at a business or institution open to the public is limited to 50% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less. This includes events in hotels, conference/event centers, places of worship, etc.
- All public and private gatherings not described within the Orders are limited to 20 people or fewer. Face masks must be worn and social distancing maintained at all times at all gatherings.
Columbia/Boone County COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is currently vaccinating those in Phase 1A and Phase 1B, Tier 1
Questions? Watch Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Vaccine Q&A below