St. Louis city, county issue 30-day stay-at-home order

Mayor Lyda Krewson announced in a press conference this afternoon, Saturday, March 21, that both St. Louis County and the city will enact “stay-at-home orders” that will start Monday at 6 p.m and will remain in effect for 30 days. The decision was made by Krewson and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. 

"I wish we did not have to do this," Krewson said. "This situation will only get worse, much worse, if we don't act right now and enact this order."

She said citizens will still be able to do a number of normal activities, like going to the grocery store and pharmacy, and taking walks in public; restaurants currently offering carryout will still be able to do so. People will be able to visit their doctors and do other essential activities. 

She did not address food delivery specifically in the press conference, but shelter-in-place orders for California and Illinois have allowed delivery, so if Missouri aims to be consistent with those orders, it’s likely that many delivery services will remain open.

Krewson was quick to assure St. Louisans that there will be no shortages of food. “We have a good local food supply and our food supply chain is strong,” she said. She added later that in addition to grocery stores, liquor stores will remain open. 

“You can still go to the gas station, the laundromat, the bank, your local parks, all while observing social distancing,” Krewson said. “Don’t panic. Don’t be alarmed. But do take this seriously.”

Adam Rothbarth is the staff writer at Sauce Magazine.