[NFBMO] An accessible version of Governor Parson's stay at home order

Sat Apr 4 14:17:06 UTC 2020

Dear Friends:

On March 23, 2020, the National Federation of the Blind urged governors to issue accessible executive orders regarding COVID-19:
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-urges-governors-issue-accessible-executive-orders

"Government information should always be accessible, and blind people need access to the orders being issued by the governors of the states and territories so that we can run our businesses and plan our lives in accordance with the law and do our part to slow the spread of the virus," said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "Governors' offices must ensure that the documents they post are able to be read with screen access technology and Braille devices so that everyone stays informed and does what is needed during this emergency."

As you know, Missouri Governor Michael L Parson issued a stay at home order yesterday in an effort to contain the COVID-19 virus.

Source:
https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-issues-statewide-stay-home-missouri-order-control-contain

At the end of this press release there is a link to an image PDF of the order. Of course, this PDF is not accessible with screen reading software. Reading  this PDF requires additional software manipulation and not all blind people may have the expensive software or technical know-how needed to be able to make this document accessible.

Linda Coccovizzo, who serves as the Second Vice President of the Kansas City Chapter,  sent me an accessible version of the executive order for which I am very grateful. I have attached the document and pasted the content below my signature for your convenience.

Regards

Daniel Garcia, Corresponding Secretary
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
dangarcia3 at hotmail.com
(816) 621-0902
www.nfb.org
www.nfbmo.org
Live the life you want.

***

April 3, 2020

The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, finding it necessary to protect public health and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, pursuant to the authority granted under section
192.020, RSMo, and 19 CSR 20-20.040, hereby order the following:

1.   Individuals currently residing within the State of Missouri shall avoid leaving their homes or places of residence. When individuals need to leave their homes or places of residence to work, to access food, prescriptions, health care, and other necessities, or to engage in outdoor activity, they should at all times practice social distancing. Individuals may also go to and from an individual's place of worship, provided that limitations on social gatherings and social distancing
are properly adhered to.

2.   Any entity that does not employ individuals to perform essential worker functions, as set forth in guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) outlined at https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf
shall adhere to the limitations on social gatherings and social distancing set forth in sections 4 and 5 of this Order. Entities that do not employ  individuals to perform essential worker functions may request a waiver from the limitation on social gatherings, as set forth in section 4 of this Order, from the Director of the Department of Economic Development, on a form prescribed by the Director. For offices and workplaces that remain open, individuals shall practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COYID-19.

3.   Any entity that employs individuals to perform essential worker functions, as set forth in section 2 of this Order, and that is engaged in retail sales to the public, shall limit the number of individuals in any particular retail location as follows:

1.  Twenty-five (25) percent or less of the entity's authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of less than ten thousand square feet (10,000 ft

2.     2
2. Ten (10) percent or less of the entity's authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of ten thousand square feet (10,000 ft) or more.

4.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all individuals in the State of Missouri shall avoid social gatherings  of more than ten (1 0) people. For purposes of this Order, "social gatherings" shall mean any planned or spontaneous event or convening that would bring together more than ten (10) people in a single space at the same time. The State of Missouri shall abide by social distancing requirements, including maintaining six feet (6') of space between individuals. This provision shall not apply to family members or individuals performing essential worker functions, as set forth in section 2 of this Order, whose job duties require contact with other people closer than six feet (6'). This provision shall apply in all situations, including, but not limited to, when customers are standing in line or individuals are using shared indoor or outdoor spaces when outside their residence.
5.  In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, every person and business in the State of Missouri shall abide by social distancing requirements, including maintain six feet (6') of space between individuals. This provision shall not apply to family members or individuals performing essential worker functions, as set forth in section 2 of this Order, whose job duties require contact with other people closer than six feet (6'). This provision shall apply in all situations, including, but no limited to, when customers are standing in line or individuals are using shared indoor or outdoor spaces when outside their residence.

6.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall close and remain closed. Notwithstanding section 2 of this Order, nothing in this Order shall prohibit daycares, child care providers, or schools from providing child care for working families  in accordance with CDC guidelines found at  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html  Further, this Order does not prohibit schools from providing Food and Nutritional Services for those children that qualify. School teachers and school staff may enter the building as long as they follow the directives set forth in this Order. Further guidance related to the conclusion of the 2019-2020 academic school year will be forthcoming from the Governor and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

7.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, or food courts; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed throughout the duration of this Order.

8.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall not visit nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, or assisted living homes unless to provide critical assistance.

9.   Pursuant to section 44.10 1, RSMO, this Order shall not be construed to prohibit or restrict the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transportation, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during the declared state of emergency, subject to the provisions set forth herein.

10. All state office buildings are closed to the public; however, essential state functions shall continue. This provision shall not apply to the State Capitol Building during meetings or proceedings of the General Assembly.

This Order does not prohibit people from accessing essential services, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and banks, or engaging in outdoor recreation, provided that necessary precautions are taken and maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including observing social gathering and social distancing requirements set forth in sections 4 and 5 of this Order. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this Order will expire.

Pursuant to section 192.290, RSMo, this Order shall be observed throughout the state and enforced by all local and state health authorities; provided however, nothing herein shall limit the right of local authorities to make such further ordinances, rules, regulations, and orders not inconsistent with this Order which may be necessary for the particular locality under the jurisdiction of such local authorities.

by any legal means.

This Order shall be in effect beginning 12:01 A.M., Monday, April 6, 2020, and shall remain in effect until ll :59 P.M., Friday, April24, 2020, unless extended by further order of the Director of the Department ofHealth and Senior Services with said extensions not to exceed the duration of the effective  period of Executive Order 20-02.

[cid:image010.jpg at 01D60A61.CCBE3010]

April 3, 2020

The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, finding it necessary to protect public health and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, pursuant to the authority granted under section
192.020, RSMo, and 19 CSR 20-20.040, hereby order the following:

1.   Individuals currently residing within the State of Missouri shall avoid leaving their homes or places of residence. When individuals need to leave their homes or places of residence to work, to access food, prescriptions, health care, and other necessities, or to engage in outdoor activity, they should at all times practice social distancing. Individuals may also go to and from an individual's place of worship, provided that limitations on social gatherings and social distancing
are properly adhered to.

2.   Any entity that does not employ individuals to perform essential worker functions, as set forth in guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) outlined at https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf
shall adhere to the limitations on social gatherings and social distancing set forth in sections 4 and 5 of this Order. Entities that do not employ  individuals to perform essential worker functions may request a waiver from the limitation on social gatherings, as set forth in section 4 of this Order, from the Director of the Department of Economic Development, on a form prescribed by the Director. For offices and workplaces that remain open, individuals shall practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COYID-19.

3.   Any entity that employs individuals to perform essential worker functions, as set forth in section 2 of this Order, and that is engaged in retail sales to the public, shall limit the number of individuals in any particular retail location as follows:

(I) Twenty-five (25) percent or less of the entity's authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of less than ten thousand square feet (10,000 ft2
(2) Ten (I0) percent or less of the entity's authorized fire or building code occupancy, as set by local authorities, for a retail location with square footage of ten thousand square feet (I 0,000 ft2) or more.

4.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all individuals in the State of Missouri shall avoid social gatherings  of more than ten (1 0) people. For purposes of this Order, "social gatherings" shall mean any planned or spontaneous event or convening that would bring together more than ten (I 0) people in a single space at the same time. The State of Missouri shall abide by social distancing requirements, including maintaining six feet (6') of space between individuals. This provision shall not apply to family members or individuals performing essential worker functions, as set forth in section 2 of this Order, whose job duties require contact with other people closer than six feet (6'). This provision shall apply in all situations, including, but not limited to, when customers are standing in line or individuals are using shared indoor or outdoor spaces when outside their residence.
5.  In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, every person and business in the State of Missouri shall abide by social distancing requirements, including maintain six feet (6') of space between individuals. This provision shall not apply to family members or individuals performing essential worker functions, as set forth in section 2 of this Order, whose job duties require contact with other people closer than six feet (6'). This provision shall apply in all situations, including, but no limited to, when customers are standing in line or individuals are using shared indoor or outdoor spaces when outside their residence.

6.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall close and remain closed. Notwithstanding section 2 of this Order, nothing in this Order shall prohibit daycares, child care providers, or schools from providing child care for working families  in accordance with CDC guidelines found at  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html  Further, this Order does not prohibit schools from providing Food and Nutritional Services for those children that qualify. School teachers and school staff may enter the building as long as they follow the directives set forth in this Order. Further guidance related to the conclusion of the 2019-2020 academic school year will be forthcoming from the Governor and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

7.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, every person in the State of Missouri shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, or food courts; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed throughout the duration of this Order.

8.   In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall not visit nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, or assisted living homes unless to provide critical assistance.

9.   Pursuant to section 44.10 I, RSMo, this Order shall not be construed to prohibit or restrict the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transportation, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during the declared state of emergency, subject to the provisions set forth herein.

10. All state office buildings are closed to the public; however, essential state functions shall continue. This provision shall not apply to the State Capitol Building during meetings or proceedings of the General Assembly.

This Order does not prohibit people from accessing essential services, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and banks, or engaging in outdoor recreation, provided that necessary precautions are taken and maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including observing social gathering and social distancing requirements set forth in sections 4 and 5 of this Order. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this Order will expire.

Pursuant to section 192.290, RSMo, this Order shall be observed throughout the state and enforced by all local and state health authorities; provided however, nothing herein shall limit the right of local authorities to make such further ordinances, rules, regulations, and orders not inconsistent with this Order which may be necessary for the particular locality under the jurisdiction of such local authorities.

by any legal means.

This Order shall be in effect beginning 12:01 A.M., Monday, April 6, 2020, and shall remain in effect until ll :59 P.M., Friday, April24, 2020, unless extended by further order of the Director of the Department ofHealth and Senior Services with said extensions not to exceed the duration of the effective  period of Executive Order 20-02.

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