The city of Warrenton is asking local businesses to abide by voluntary health restrictions as they reopen over the next month.

Business owners reacted with optimism after Gov. Mike Parson’s April 27 announcement that non-essential businesses could reopen under some restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Warrenton city leaders are requesting added caution during this initial phase of economic recovery.

In a message sent to business owners April 29, city officials said all businesses will be required to follow state health mandates, including social distancing and reduced occupancy limits for retail stores.

City Administrator Terri Thorn told The Record that violations of the state mandates could be reported to the county health department and prosecutors.

However, Warrenton officials also strongly recommended that businesses take precautions beyond what the state is mandating.

“The health and safety of all residents is the primary concern of the mayor and board of aldermen,” the city said in its message, asking business owners to continue strict sanitizing practices and limiting close contact between customers and employees.

A complete list of state mandates for reopening, and the city’s health recommendations, can be found on Warrenton’s website, www.warrenton-mo.org.

The city said bars and restaurants should limit the size of groups coming in and have no more than four people per table, which would be more restrictive than a similar state mandate. Restaurants also should not provide self-serve buffets or bottled condiments that would be touched by multiple people, according to the city’s guidelines.

Officials also discouraged certain in-house entertainment such as live music or competitive sports. The city encouraged restaurant owners to consider outdoor seating where possible.

Health recommendations for various other entertainment or service facilities include limited seating in movie theaters, employees frequently sanitizing gym equipment, and for salon employees and customers to take a number of precautions will in close proximity.

Thorn said the city’s recommendations will not be enforced through legal action, but that city officers will visit businesses and ask them to voluntarily comply if there are any complaints.

However, if the number of local COVID-19 cases significantly increases, Warrenton officials warned that stricter public safety measures and closures could resume.

Wright City Administrator Jim Schuchmann said his office’s guidance to local businesses follows what has been issued by the governor’s office and health officials. Restaurants, hair salons and barber shops are the businesses where city officials are asking for extra caution because of contact with and between customers, Schuchmann said.

“The governor’s guideline is no more than 10 at a table (in restaurants) ... but we really encouraged them to hold it down smaller than that,” Schuchmann commented. “Almost all of the restaurants were in agreement. They want to have an atmosphere that customers are comfortable coming into, (where) there’s space.”

If customers aren’t comfortable with a business’s health practices, they won’t come in, Schucmann said. He predicted owners will take steps to recognize that concern.

“If everybody just pulls together and continues to practice good hygiene and social distancing, we should be able to make it through this,” Schuchmann said.