The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is warning people to avoid traveling to impacted areas as several people contracted coronavirus during recent domestic trips.
Health department director Clay Goddard said Tuesday six of eight cases reported since Friday were the result of travel to impacted areas.
"While we are relaxing restrictions here, COVID-19 is not over," he said. "Travel is not advised right now."
Goddard also warned the public of two potential exposure points as people infected with the virus traveled to the Walmart on East Kearney Street on May 11 and to the Dollar General north of Interstate 44 on State Highway H at around 12:30 p.m. May 14.
He said while the risk of contracting the virus in those cases is low, people should be continuing to act as if they are sick or the people around them are infected in order to stop the spread of the virus.
Part of that is avoiding travel outside of southwest Missouri unless absolutely necessary.
"We're entering a phase of this diseases that is going to require significant community compliance," Goddard said. "We're not going to be able to keep the community shut down, but individuals are going to have to be responsible to keep this virus under control."
Goddard's remarks came the day before Springfield Mayor Ken McClure was expected to announce another planned reduction in restrictions designed to stop the spread of the virus.
McClure announced earlier this month that local bars, movie theaters, fitness classes, pools and music venues would be allowed to reopen with limited occupancy — some of the last remaining institutions required to be closed to stop the coronavirus outbreak in Greene County.
The city still isn't allowing mass gatherings or church services, but plans outlined by the city indicated future phases of reopening would allow religious services to be conducted with limited occupancy.
Katie Kull covers local government for the News-Leader. Got a story to tell? Give her a call at 417-408-1025 or email her at kkull@news-leader.com. You can also support local journalism at News-Leader.com/subscribe.
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May 19, 2020 at 11:50PM
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Six recent coronavirus cases related to travel, health department warns people to avoid it - News-Leader
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