KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Officials in Clay and Platte counties have joined Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson County along with several other regional jurisdictions in extending local stay-at-home order through May 15.
Clay County was one of several counties with an existing order that was set to expire on April 24.
The Clay County Public Health Center cited more than 120 cases and two deaths associated with COVID-19 as the reason for the extension.
Earlier this week, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson extended the state’s stay-at-home order through May 3.
Platte County made a similar announced late Friday night.
"The decision to extend this Order is not made lightly, and I know it comes at an economic cost for many," Platte County Health Officer Mary Jo Vernon said. "But, I want to assure you that these decisions are based on data and models that show our peak arriving in two weeks' time."
She made the case that re-opening things too soon could have more disastrous results for the county and surrounding communities.
"As your health director, I am acutely aware of the impact this is having on our economy, businesses, and families," Vernon said. "If we open up the county too soon, it has been proven that a second wave of the virus can occur, which would require the restrictions to be put back in place for a longer period."
She said her decision to extend the stay-at-home order is an effort "to prevent an even deeper, more profound impact on our economy."
Vernon also praised the efforts of Platte County citizens in abiding current restrictions as the reason COVID-19 cases have remained relatively low in the county.
Platte County added "Places of Worship" to its list of essential businesses in the extended order, but only for the purposes of facilitating virtual or distance worship.
In order to operate under the new order, churches are required to abide by the 10-person gathering limit and social-distancing requirements.
