Missouri attorney general sues St. Louis County over COVID health orders
The suit takes issue with restrictions on religious institutions, mask requirements for K-12 grades, government pre-approval for events and outdoor mask requirements Author: Kayla Wheeler Updated: 12:51 PM CDT May 11, 2021
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a lawsuit against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, Dr. Faisal Khan and the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.
Schmitt said he filed the lawsuit over the “arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable application of COVID-19 restrictions in St. Louis County.” The suit specifically takes issue with restrictions on religious institutions, masking requirements for K-12 grades, government pre-approval for events and outdoor mask requirements.
The Republican official’s lawsuit calls the local restrictions vague and ambiguous, but the county says the case is politically motivated.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt speaks during a news conference in St. Louis last August. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit in state court Tuesday challenging St. Louis County’s measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Schmitt, who is also a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, sued St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, county public health director Dr. Faisal Khan and the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.
Missouri Attorney General Files Suit Against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page Over COVID Restrictions
A copy of the lawsuit can be found here: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-05-11-schmitt-v-page-petition.pdf?sfvrsn=80cb9561 2. “Three weeks ago, I sent a letter to St. Louis County asking for an explanation and evidence justifying the County’s extreme restrictions on St. Louis County residents. The County’s response was vague and unresponsive. Just several days later, the County rushed to amend their shut-down order in an apparent attempt to appease this Office and avoid litigation. It has not,” said
St. Louis Public Radio
Broadway Oyster Bar in downtown St. Louis was buzzing with patrons on a recent evening. The venue has live music scheduled for nearly every night this month.
Officials in St. Louis and St. Louis County began relaxing pandemic restrictions on entertainment venues this week. But clubs and theaters won’t be filling up with patrons anytime soon.
Until this week, venues had been limited to 50% of their usual audience capacity. (That percentage was lower earlier in the pandemic.) St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page
issued a joint order Monday removing the cap, as well as lifting an 11 p.m. curfew and a limit on large gatherings.