Gov. Parson to let Missouri’s COVID-19 state of emergency to expire

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) - Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri’s COVID-19 state of emergency will expire and will not be renewed on Friday, December 31.

The governor credits the the effectiveness of vaccines and widespread efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus as the reason to allow the order to expire.

“Over the last 22 months, we have coordinated with local, state, and private partners to mitigate COVID-19 and work towards returning to normalcy,” said Gov. Parson. “We all now know how to best fight and prevent serious illness from this virus. The State stands ready to provide assistance and response, but there is no longer a need for a state of emergency.”

Parson signed the original executive order in March of 2020 and extended it five times.

In a released statement, the governor also addressed masked mandates and other COVID-19 mitigations other communities and states have initiated to prevent the spread of the virus.

“In Missouri, we never had mandates or forced lockdowns,” said Governor Parson. “The main focus of our state of emergency was to provide regulatory flexibility to support and assist Missourians, health care facilities, and businesses and coordinate a COVID-19 response that saved lives and livelihoods. We encourage all Missourians to consider COVID-19 vaccination and to stay diligent, but we can work together to fight COVID-19 while living our normal lives. It is time to take this final step and move forward as a state.”

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