Upon expiration of the Face-Covering Rule at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, a Public Health Advisory will go into effect in Pettis County.

According to Pettis County Health Center Administrator JoAnn Martin, all residents and visitors to Pettis County are strongly encouraged to follow several practices in order to continue to slow the spread of the virus causing COVID-19.

1. Wear a face covering in accordance with the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control. Face coverings should continue to be worn indoors. Face coverings no longer need to be worn in small groups when everyone present is fully vaccinated or in most outdoor activities, except for very large gatherings such as concerts or professional sporting events.

2. Stay at home when ill. Be tested for the COVID-19 if symptoms include cough, fever, headache, body aches, change/loss of sense of taste and/or smell, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

3. Be tested for COVID-19 approximately five days after close contact with a known positive case of COVID-19.

4. Maintain social distancing of six feet when indoors in larger groups, particularly when unvaccinated individuals are present or vaccination status is unknown.

5. Receive a COVID-19 vaccination. There are multiple locations and times available throughout the county. The Pettis County Health Center will conduct walk-in clinics from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Bothwell Regional Health Center, Katy Trail Community Health and area pharmacies are all locations where vaccine also is available.

Individual businesses and organizations may require a face covering in order to receive service through that organization or business. Each facility may make the decision about what procedures that facility wishes to follow.

There is no enforcement component to this Public Health Advisory.

The guidelines from the CDC are updated regularly. The CDC website at www.cdc.gov provides the most up-to-date information based upon new information from ongoing research. The Public Health Advisory will be updated when there is a significant change in the CDC guidance.

For additional information on the situation regarding cases in Missouri, visit www.health.mo.gov. For additional information on the vaccine situation, visit www.MOStopsCOVID.com.