By Oct. 15, 1918, the number of St. Louis influenza cases had reached over 3,000, leading to hospital congestion.

Several days later, on October 20, Dr. Max C. Starkloff, Health Commissioner for the city of St. Louis issued a new order restricting downtown business hours to 9:30 am to 4:30 pm in the busy downtown section of St. Louis bounded by Olive Street, Washington Avenue, and Fourth and Twelfth Streets.

Saloons in this zone likewise had to follow the new hours. The energetic Health Commissioner announced to the city that the closure orders and gathering bans would not be lifted until the epidemic was completely stamped out, whether that be in a week or a month.