Frequently asked questions

The original Osage County Health Department public gathering order took effect on March 17, 2020. It was extended on March 31,2020.

The Osage County Health Department public gathering order took is set to expire effective on May 1, 2020. It may be extended dependent upon circumstances at that time.

This order was issued to protect the health and safety of all residents, with the goal of limiting the continued spread of COVID-19 in our community.

The public gathering orders requires that groups of 10 or greater cannot congregate and requests that residents to stay home unless they are going to work, out for groceries, pharmacy or to seek medical care. Going outside is okay. When engaging in any outdoor activity, individuals must comply with Physical Distancing Requirements.

The restaurants can still provide food services via takeout, carry out and curb service and drive through, if available. Dine-in service at on-site restaurants and bars is not permitted actually due to an order from the Governor’s office/DHSS.

Grocery stores can provide food services. No dine-in service is allowed.

Yes. Mobile food units and temporary food events may provide curbside, drive-through, takeout, and delivery food and beverage services. Congregate seating is not allowed and Physical Distancing Requirements must be met.

Gas stations can provide food services. No dine-in service is allowed.

"Self-Quarantine" means to separate and restrict the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. These individuals should avoid contact with any other individual and have their own bedroom and bathroom, away from others.

No, not for Osage County at this time; however, some other counties such as Cole, Maries and Gasconade surrounding Osage County may be requiring this based on THAT County’s law enforcement. You will need to check with a particular county on their rules for this.

No, gyms and workout facilities are not classified as essential. Individuals can engage in outdoor activity that includes walking, hiking, running, or biking. Physical Distancing Requirements must be met.

No. You can engage in outdoor activities that include walking, hiking, running, biking, and yard work. Physical Distancing Requirements must be met.

Yes. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers are okay. Physical Distancing Requirements must be met.

Yes. Funeral homes, crematoriums, cremation, burial, mortuary services, and cemeteries can be open. Physical Distancing Requirements must be met. They have been planning and have alternatives available for family and friends to maintain social distancing.

Information about the order can be found at: http://osagecountyhd.org/assets/pdfs/OCHD-Order-2.pdf(http://osagecountyhd.org/assets/pdfs/OCHD-Order-2.pdf)

The best way to get your questions answered is to email them to the Osage County Health Department. The email address is osagecountyhealthdepartment@gmail.com.(mailto:osagecountyhealthdepartment@gmail.com) You can also ask questions on the Osage County Health Department Facebook Page. Both of these are being monitored days and evenings 7 days per week. If you do not email or Facebook, call the Osage County Health Department at 573-897-3103.(tel:573-897-3103) Please note that the phone is not generally answered after business hours. You may leave a message, but your call would not be returned until the next business day.

Media inquiries can be emailed to osagecountyhealthdepartment@gmail.com(mailto:osagecountyhealthdepartment@gmail.com)

Major categories of essential businesses would be defined in the order to include: • Health care (doctors, dentists, nurses, hospitals, pharmacies, medical research facilities, blood donation services, labs, etc); • Food and drink production and distribution (including grocery stores, markets, restaurants that offer food for pick-up or delivery, liquor stores); • Sanitation (including laundromats, dry cleaners, household and business cleaning services and supply stores); • Transportation (including railroads, airports, public transit, taxis and other private transportation providers, and gas stations); • Financial services (including banks, insurance providers, and professional services required to comply with legal and regulatory requirements); • Manufacturing and distribution of supplies and materials for essential businesses (including trucking and other supply chain support functions); • Maintenance and construction of infrastructure and households; • Child care; • Essential Government Functions; • Residential facilities (including hotels and motels); • Media and communication providers; and • Mailing, shipping, and delivery services. • Construction and those businesses supporting construction • Landscaping • Real Estate To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses and Operations would have to comply with Physical Distancing Requirements. It may be possible that additional businesses would be added to this list. A list of categories of essential businesses is provided in both Stay at Home Orders.

Due to a limited amount of testing kits, currently, a person must receive an order from their primary care provider to be tested or be approved for testing by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

We live in a very small community. Reporting a specific town makes it much easier to identify the case. We give the information which we feel necessary, but our intention is to allow the cases to be unidentifiable. If it was you or a family member, would you want to be identified?

A person will only get retested if they continue to be symptomatic. If all symptoms have resolved by the quarantine end date, retesting is not suggested.

• Community spread (acquired) - we are unable to identify where the virus was contracted. • Community contact - contraction from a known positive within our community. • Contact related – contraction from a direct contact with a known positive case.