Missouri's stay-at-home order will run through May 3, Gov. Mike Parson announced Thursday afternoon.
Parson enacted the initial order April 6, and it was to run through April 24.
Parson said that "we are seeing very early signs in the data that lead us to be cautiously optimistic" that the outbreak could be peaking. He said the extended order would give the state time to prepare to begin to reopen.
“We’re going to see the first phase of people going back to work on May 4,” Parson said.
The initial order allowed “essential businesses” like pharmacies and grocery stores to remain open.
To read more on this story, visit our partners at the Columbia Missourian.