Coronavirus Scare; Missouri Capitol Closes To Visitors

Leaders of the Missouri House and Senate are urging school groups and other lobbying organizations to stay away from the Capitol during the current coronavirus scare.

In a joint statement, leaders of both chambers say reducing the number of visitors in the building will reduce the spread of disease.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr said it was not a decision they took lightly. “It is out of an abundance of caution that the General Assembly is taking the preventive steps to minimize the risk of an outbreak in Missouri. While the General Assembly continues to conduct business as normal, we will closely monitor the situation to take necessary actions to maintain a safe environment that will ensure the health and well-being of all those who work in, and visit, the Capitol.”

The House is closing the floor of the House Chamber to the public, as well as the House Lounge “which are difficult to disinfect on a regular basis.”

The announcement comes as the annual spring break gets started on March 19. Officials plan to deep clean the hallways, meeting rooms and offices while the lawmakers are away.

Building workers also installed foot-operated door pulls on bathroom doors so users do not have to touch the doorknob when they exit.

In addition, Governor Mike Parson has canceled his upcoming foreign trip due to Coronavirus concerns. He had been scheduled to leave Thursday to go to Greece, Israel, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to meet with business leaders about expanding in Missouri and to visit Missouri-based military troops stationed overseas.