A stay-at-home order has been issued for 30 days for people in Greene and Christian counties to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The order affects people in Springfield and Greene County.

Ozark has issued a similar order.

Christian County and Nixa have not issued stay-at-home orders at this time.

Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon says the civil emergency in Springfield and Greene County goes into effect Thursday morning at 12:01 a.m.

Dixon says there will be exemptions for certain businesses.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is working on a list of those businesses that must close and those that can remain open.

A Stay-At-Home Emergency Order has been issued in Springfield and Greene County to protect the health and safety of all residents with the goal of limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Review a list of Frequently Asked Questions: https://t.co/N2gjI8uY3m pic.twitter.com/D4r8TF8I1Y

— City of Springfield (@CityofSgf) March 24, 2020

People who violate the ordinance in Springfield could face up to $1,000 in fines and 180-days in jail.

Violating the ordinance in Greene County would be a misdemeanor.

Here’s more about the stay at home order from Greene County leaders:

To help our community continue to work to slow the spread of COVID-19, today the Greene County Commission, in consultation with Springfield-Greene County Health Department Director Clay Goddard, issued a Stay at Home Order, requiring Greene County residents to stay at home except for essential activities.

This order will take effect at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, March 26 and shall continue for a period of 30 days unless renewed or withdrawn.

“We clearly want to do everything we can to keep citizens healthy and safe during this time and the Commission, along with City and local health care leaders, believe this is the best step in achieving that,” said Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon. “We are asking that everyone adhere to this Order, as we are all in this together and only through working together will we be able to minimize the impact of this virus on our community.”

To further clarify this order, “essential activities” will mean:

· To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), or close personal acquaintances, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.

· To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or close personal acquaintances, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, groceries and essential household goods and products, such as cleaning and personal care products, and other products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

· To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Physical Distancing Requirements as defined herein, such as, by way of example and without limitation, biking, walking, hiking, or running.

· To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business (as defined in the Order) or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations, as defined herein, at Non-Essential Business.

To care for a family member, close personal acquaintance, or pet in another household.