Missouri plans to spend $ 15 million in federal aid for the coronavirus to promote tourism in the state, Governor Mike Parson (R) announced Thursday.
Parson called the tourism industry “a great way to support Missouri businesses” at his press conference Thursday, adding: “With everything else going, it is still important that people need to get out and enjoy themselves a little. of the life”.
Tourism Director Stephen Foutes said Thursday that the money the state received through the CARES Act will go to institutions that market specific sites across the state to help them “maintain their marketing focus” and “include messages about measures. that have been implemented by its attractions, “according to the Kansas City Star.
Foutes said that marketing organizations will also have the opportunity to request reimbursement for the cost of security measures, such as temperature controls.
The announcement comes when New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, three states that saw early spikes in the virus, have imposed mandatory two-week quarantines on any visitor from 22 states.
However, Missouri Health Director Randall Williams said Thursday that he feels “very comfortable telling people it’s okay” to travel across state lines as long as they take precautions, such as wearing masks, washing their hands and distancing themselves socially.
“I think there are benefits to going outdoors, to travel in that case,” he said. “And are there some risks? There probably are, but there are also some benefits. Let’s not lose sight of that.
The state’s chief economic officer, Rob Dixon, called tourism marketing a necessary boost to the state’s economy, with more than 40 percent of Americans saying they don’t plan to travel the rest of the year.
“This is a new normal for the world economy. It is a new normal for our state’s economy, and we are going to have to do business with the virus around us, “he said, according to the Star.
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