Parson, citing concern about rural economy, defends decision not to close businesses

Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday he won’t require Missouri businesses to close due to COVID-19.

Missouri also has four new cases, jumping the state’s total to 28, Dr. Randall Williams, the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, announced at the late afternoon news conference. Details were not provided.

Parson’s decision comes after several states, including Illinois, required bars and restaurants to shutter. He cited concern about the potential economic impact on rural communities

“Making a decision like that is much easier said than done,” Parson said. He added that he wants a plan in place before businesses are shut down.

The governor also announced that all public and charter schools are temporarily closed. He did not mandate the closures, he said, but left the decision up to local officials.

Parson said Missourians can expect to see other changes and should continue following expert guidance on social distancing.

As for testing, there are 14 mobile sites in Missouri, Williams said. There is drive-thru testing at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis County and at MU Health Care and Boone Hospital in Columbia.

According to the DHSS, there have been just over 300 people tested for COVID-19 in Missouri.

Parson announced that the Department of Corrections will be working to make hand sanitizer to fight the spread of COVID-19. A similar move by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was met with criticism by advocacy groups who likened it to slave labor.