Missouri state employees Archives

Missouri state offices to be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

December 23, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

An executive order signed by Missouri’s governor this month closes most state offices on Christmas Eve.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson speaks to preschool children from Jefferson City’s St. Peter School at the Capitol Christmas tree ceremony on December 3, 2020 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

With Governor Mike Parson’s signature, most state offices will be closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“It has been a challenging year for the state of Missouri, but we are so thankful for our state team members,” Governor Parson says, in a written statement. “While we can never thank them enough for their hard work, this is one small way we can show our appreciation. This Christmas, may we all take time to rejoice with loved ones and reflect on the blessings we have in our lives. Teresa and I wish everyone peace, health and happiness throughout the coming year. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and happy New Year.”

Parson’s executive order impacts state employees in all 114 counties and St. Louis City. The biggest impact is in Jefferson City, which has more than 14,000 state employees. State government remains the largest employer in Jefferson City.

State prisons will still operate during Christmas, and the order does not impact emergency services such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Missouri Governor’s office: four staffers who’ve tested positive for COVID have fully recovered

October 5, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri governor’s office announced late Monday afternoon that four staffers have tested positive for the coronavirus this year. The governor’s office issued a news release, saying the staffers tested include governor’s office staff, governor’s mansion staff and the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Governor Security Division.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s temperature is checked at Compass Health in Wentzville on September 17, 2020 (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

The governor’s office says Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson have both fully recovered from COVID, and have returned to their normal schedules. They both tested positive for COVID on September 23.

“Teresa and I are so grateful that we are two of well over 100,000 Missourians that have recovered from this virus,” Governor Parson said, in a written statement. “We are glad to be back and want to again thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We are humbled every day to be surrounded by such great people across the state.”

The governor’s office says all staff meeting the definition of close contact were tested, after the governor and first lady tested positive. The office says the four staffers who tested positive have fully recovered.

The governor says the office continues all normal business operations and duties, at this time.

Meantime, Missouri officials say 1,842 state employees have tested positive this year for COVID-19.

The state Office of Administration (OA) says the department with the largest number is the state Department of Corrections, which has seen 646 cases. The state Department of Mental Health (DMH) has had 393 cases, and the state Department of Public Safety (DPS) has had 211 cases. OA says 1,259 of the 1,842 state employees have recovered.

OA says the numbers represent the total number of state employees who’ve tested positive in 2020, as of Friday. Missouri currently has 52,863 state employees.