St. Louis City, County extend stay-at-home order indefinitely; will re-evaluate at a later date

CLAYTON, Mo. (KMOV.com) -- Both St. Louis City and County extended their stay-at-home orders indefinitely Thursday, a move that was expected as previous orders had been due to expire soon.

St. Louis City Mayor Lyda Krewson said Thursday afternoon the stay-at-home order is in effect indefinitely. Krewson said they will reevaluate the order in the next two or three weeks.

"We understand this has significant economic impact; however, at the heart of what we are doing, our charge is to save lives during this pandemic," explained Dr. Fred Echols, the City's Health Director. "Our failure to save lives during this pandemic puts us in a much worse position than we would be otherwise."

In her latest order, Krewson is mandating businesses that are essential, and remain open, must provide personal protective equipment to their employees. PPE includes masks and gloves.

St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page also extended the stay-at-home order indefinitely. He will re-evaluate the order in mid-May, but hopes to be able to lift the order at the end of that month.

"We have made progress, but now is not the time to weaken the social distancing policies that are working," Page said in a tweet.

Page on Thursday signed paperwork requesting $175 million in federal aid to get more tests in the county. Those tests, he says, are the key to reopening the county.

The St. Louis Metro Pandemic Task Force estimated that our region will hit its peak on April 25. 

Meanwhile, Governor Parson on Thursday also extended his statewide order through May 3, when he hopes to lift the order.

As of Thursday, St. Louis County has 2,026 cases and 66 deaths. St. Louis City has 743 cases and 27 deaths.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is set to make an announcement about the statewide stay-at-home order during his daily briefing at 3 p.m.