Boone County health officials prepare for busy Missouri football home opener weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A top Boone County health official said Wednesday that his department is working closely with the University of Missouri to ensure COVID-19 orders are followed during MU's first home football game weekend.

Scott Clardy, assistant director of Columbia/Boone County Health Department, said MU operates outside of the health department's jurisdiction because it is state-owned property. However, Clardy said he was impressed by how much the university has gone out of its way to work with the department.

Clardy said the health department has been participating in calls with the UM System. Clardy said the idea to prohibit tailgating was brought up and decided on during one of these meetings.

Clardy said the health department has contacted businesses, bars and restaurants specifically to remind them of the health orders that are in place. He said his biggest concern for this weekend will be bars and restaurants following the county's health order.

The health department plans on having inspectors going from business to business to make sure rules are being followed.

If a business has had previous issues, Clardy said that the health department may take immediate action to suspend its operating permit on the spot. Clardy said the department did that twice last weekend.

The football games present a challenge for the department, Clardy said. "These people are going to come in for one or two days and then go away," Clardy said of fans coming to Columbia from elsewhere.

He said health officials will have a better understanding of how much these games affect COVID-19 numbers locally in about a week and a half.

Check back for more on this developing story or watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.