To keep Kansans safe, details in Phases 2 and 3 amended
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will sign Executive Order 20-34, which moves Kansas into Phase 2 of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas.” Phase 2, effective Friday, May 22, 2020, will be modified to include data-driven restrictions necessary to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, all of my administration’s decision-making regarding our reopening efforts has been driven by data – not dates,” Kelly said. “Because of the great work Kansans and businesses have done to keep others safe, data now indicate we are seeing a more consistent decline in hospitalizations, COVID-19-related deaths and a consistent decrease in disease spread. This puts our state in a position to safely move into a modified version of Phase 2.
“I would like to be clear – moving forward in Kansas’ reopening plan does not mean that COVID-19 no longer threatens our communities. Modifying Phase 2 to keep some restrictions allows us to reopen Kansas’ economy as quickly and safely as possible, while exercising necessary caution to keep Kansans healthy.”
Key changes to Phase 2:
- Mass gatherings of more than 15 individuals will be prohibited;
- All businesses and activities slated to open during Phase 2 will be allowed, with the exception of bars, night clubs and swimming pools. These will be moved to Phase 3;
- Businesses and activities that will be allowed to open in Phase 2 include:
- Recreational organized sports facilities, tournaments and practices will be allowed to begin on Friday, May 22, and must adhere to social distancing requirements and follow Parks and Recs guidelines, which can be found on covid.ks.gov;
- Community Centers will be allowed to open, except for indoor and outdoor swimming pools;
- Indoor leisure spaces such as arcades, trampoline parks, theaters, museums and bowling allies will be allowed to open on May 22;
- State-owned-and-operated casinos will be allowed to open once their re-opening plan has been approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment;
- In-person group exercise classes will be allowed to begin with groups of no more than 15 at a time. Locker rooms remain closed except for restroom facilities;
- Everything opened in Phase 1 and Phase 1.5 remains open pursuant to the restrictions outlined in Executive Order 20-34.
- Phase 2 will last until Sunday, June 7, assuming the current trends continue. Phase 3 is expected to begin on Monday, June 8, with mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals prohibited.
Under Phase 2, the following, unless they are repurposed for use in an essential function under the Kansas Essential Function Framework, shall remain closed to the public:
- Bars and night clubs, excluding curbside and carryout services;
- Outdoor and indoor large entertainment venues with capacity of 2,000 or more;
- Fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades;
- Swimming pools (other than backyard pools);
- Summer camps (with the exception of licensed childcare facilities).
The Governor will evaluate the state’s disease spread, testing rates, death rates, hospitalizations, ability of state and local public health authorities to contain outbreaks and conduct contact tracing, and personal protective equipment availability when determining if the state should move to the next “Phase.” Regardless of phase, the State Health Officer retains the authority to impose additional public health interventions in any area that contains an emergent and significant public health risk.
Throughout all phases, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:
- Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;
- Remaining home when sick or running a fever;
- Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;
- Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;
- Working remotely, if possible.
Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.
NEWS
USD 362 to return to onsite food service
Move follows decade with food management companies After a decade of partnering with private management vendors, Prairie View Unified School District 362 will return to self-operation of its food service program next school year. The decision came at the monthly... [More]
La Cygne to change insurance carrier
Purchase will still be through Truly La Cygne city leaders have opted for a new municipal insurance underwriter. On a 3-0 vote at last Wednesday’s regular meeting, with David Brenneman and Ed Smith not present, the council voted for the city to be insured through... [More]
Agriculture leading economic contributor for Linn County
Agriculture touches the lives of everyone in Linn County, whether you are a producer or a consumer, providing a direct or indirect impact of over $170 million to our county in 2023. Farming and beef cattle ranching, including feedlots and dual-purpose farming and ranching... [More]
More News
- Applications available for summer youth employment grant
- Linn County Planning Commission moves forward to ban commercial solar
- Commissioners discuss commercial solar moratorium resolution
- P&Z approves quarry in northeast Linn County
- Easter Events and Services
- Linn County Planning Commission moves forward to ban commercial solar
- Creating a healthier park with fire
- La Cygne patrons defend departed chief
SPORTS
Prairie View brings home two State titles in powerlifting championship
The Prairie View powerlifting team traveled to Santa Fe Trail on March 23 for the 3A State Powerlifting Meet. The Buffalos did very well at the meet with seven lifters placing in the top three and Prairie View placing second overall as a team. “We came up 11 points short... [More]
Jayhawk softball hosts Prairie View in season opener
The Jayhawk Linn softball team hosted Prairie View in their season opener on March 19. The Lady Hawks played a double-header and lost both games to the Lady Buffs 5-15 and 13-15. The first game saw the Buffalos take a 6-3 after three innings. After this, Prairie View outscored... [More]
More Sports
- 2024 All Linn County boys’ basketball team
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk boys’ basketball TRL All League selections
- Linn County Twisters have six place at State
- Four wrestlers place at State for Jayhawk Wrestling Club
- Pleasanton basketball hosts 2A Sub-State tournament
- Prairie View girls basketball falls in semifinals at Sub-State
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball makes Sub-State semifinals
- Prairie View wrestling sends four to State and comes back with two medals
COMMUNITY
Youth Track meet organized for April 27
Mary Jane Britz, a junior at Prairie View High School has organized a track meet for grade school age students in the Prairie View District. “I lived in Wisconsin before moving to Kansas and while living in Wisconsin the track team would put on a youth track meet every... [More]
CHC/SEK expands behavioral health services in Linn County
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas expanded its behavioral health program into Linn County by welcoming Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker John Smart to its staff. Smart will provide therapy services to adults and children aged 10 and older in CHC/SEK’s... [More]
JLHS store program wins Stahl Scholarship package
STAHLS’ Company recently announced the 2023 fourth quarter winners of the Stahl Family Scholarship, celebrating entrepreneurial spirit and one of the two winners was Terri Gentry, a teacher at Jayhawk Linn High School, and her spirit wear store crew comprised of students.... [More]
More Community
- JLHS art students taking part in worldwide project
- Pleasanton Library Board President receives award from Kansas Library System
- Celebrating the New Year
- A project of passion and prayer
- Blu Jay Winter Clothing Exchange set for Dec. 9
- Maynerd’s owners start Feed Linn County initiative
- Hope for Heroes: Aiding veterans in Southeast Kansas
- Homelessness: A look at the legal side of the issue