March 27, 2020

Linn County Health Department

902 Main, PO Box 456 Pleasanton, KS 66075

Ph. 913-352-6640 Fax 913-352-6730

ORDER of the Linn County Public Health Officer

March 27, 2020: 7:00 PM

Emergency Public Health Order issued on this 27th day of March 2020 to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Linn County, Kansas, pursuant to the authority provided in K.S.A. 65-119, K.S.A. 65-129b and K.S.A. 65-202 and other applicable laws or regulations.

Section One.

a. For purposes of this Order, Social Distancing Requirements means maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.

b. For purposes of this Order all individuals are directed to stay home and shelter in place and leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities” as described below. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick should stay in their residence except as necessary to seek medical care. If you think you are at high risk or currently ill, call (913) 795-7302 M-F from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM to determine if you are eligible for essential needs assistance.

1. Essential needs for household members and pets including, but not limited, to obtaining food, medical supplies, medical equipment, disposal of household trash, and other activities needed to meet the ESSENTIAL needs of the household;

2. Obtaining or delivering supplies and equipment required to work from home;

3. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements. You shall avoid all public playground equipment and similar objects where the virus can be present.

4. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order;

5. To care for a family member or pet in another household, or engage in transportation or to transport the family member or pet to provide for such care; or to comply with valid court order;

6. To work for or obtain services at any “Healthcare Operations” including, but not limited to hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers including pastoral or other counselors, intellectual/developmental disability providers, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services or veterinary care;

7. To provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure,” including, but not limited to, public works construction, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services, provided that they carry out

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those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined, to the extent possible.

c. For purposes of this Order, all emergency operations of law enforcement, fire protection and medical emergency response personnel; essential functions of government entities are exempt. Additionally, local storm shelters are exempt when they are being used for protection from a severe weather warning event.

d. For the purposes of this Order, covered businesses include any for-profit, non-profit, or educational entities, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure.

e. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” are as follows:

Essential Businesses:

The following have been determined to be Essential Business functions for Linn County and shall be allowed to remain open to the public, however, these Essential Business must maintain social distancing and strive to reduce in-person contacts as much as possible. We further recommend that Essential Businesses attempt to use curb-side services, or delivery, if applicable and avoid having customers in-store whenever possible:

• Health Care Facilities and Pharmacies

• Veterinary Clinics

• Food Supply, such as Grocery Stores, General Stores, Etc.

• Food Cultivation, including Farming, Livestock, and Commercial Fishing

• United States Postal Services and Other Shipping Services

• Local Government Essential Services

• Schools/Educational Facilities

• Convenient Stores, Gas Stations, Auto-Supply, Auto-Repair, Emergency Road Services and Related Services and Facilities

• Funeral Homes

• Utility, Water and Sewer Providers

• Banks

• Agricultural Businesses

• Day Care Facilities - Day Cares are prohibited from taking new, Out-of-County clients. Day Care Facilities should use KDHE Day Care guidelines for screening new clients & children.

• Laundromats

• Information Technology Essential Services (Internet/Cell Phone)

• Misc. Service Providers – Examples of this business type are accountants, insurance offices, attorneys, realtors and similar business types.

Essential Businesses (Open with Restrictions):

The following business have been determined to be Essential Businesses as related to this pandemic. They will be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the inside of the store shall be prohibited. These businesses should use delivery or curb-side service and must maintain social distancing during those activities.

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• Parts Stores/Lumber Yards/Hardware Stores

• Bars/Restaurants (curbside pick-up or delivery, no dine-in)

• Manufacturing

• Other Retail Sales – Examples include liquor stores, gun stores, pawn shops and other similar business types.

Non-Essential Businesses (Closed/Shut-Down):

The following business types have been determined to be Non-Essential as related to the pandemic and shall remain closed/shut down:

• Barber/Beauty Shops

• Fitness Centers/Gyms

• Libraries

• Other Businesses – Businesses not otherwise described that cannot maintain or attempt to maintain the 6-feet social distancing shall be closed until this order is rescinded. This would include any business, that by its very nature requires direct person to person contact of less than 6 feet.

This business list may not be inclusive for every business type. You should consider all listed types to determine where your business falls within those descriptions. If you need assistance, please call the COVID-19 information line at (913) 795-7302 (Option 1) for additional clarification.

Section Two. In addition to any Essential Business restrictions outlined above, ALL Essential Businesses shall take proactive measures to ensure compliance with Social Distancing Requirements, including where possible:

a. Designate six-foot distances;

b. Designating with signage, tape, or by other means six foot spacing for employees and customers in line to maintain appropriate distance;

c. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products. Having anti-microbial soap and water or hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for employees and customers;

d. Separate operating hours for vulnerable populations. Implementing separate operating hours for elderly and vulnerable customers; and

e. Online and remote access. Posting online whether a facility is open and how best to reach the facility and continue services by phone or remotely.

Section Three. Per the Governor’s Executive Order No. 20-14, all large public gatherings of ten (10) or more people in the County are prohibited unless otherwise ordered by the Public Health Board or by the Local Health Officer.

Section Four. Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-129b, any sheriff, deputy sheriff or other law enforcement officer of the state or any political subdivision within Linn County, Kansas is hereby ordered to assist in the execution or enforcement of this order.

Section Five. Any individual who has been required to isolate or quarantine in their home or other location shall remain in that location until the end of their specific quarantine/isolation period unless directed otherwise

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by the Linn County Public Health Director or Local Health Officer. Anyone found in violation of a quarantine/isolation order may be subject to civil penalties up to $500 and/or arrest and possible criminal charges. In addition, individuals in violation of the order may be placed in an involuntary quarantine under direct supervision until the end of their quarantine period.

Section Six. This Order may be supplemented or modified as required for the effective and efficient management and control of the Coronavirus epidemic in the County by further order or direction of the Linn County Board of Public Health or by the Linn County Local Health Officer.

Section Seven. This Order is effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020 and shall remain in effect for 30 days, until 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, unless sooner amended, superseded by Federal, State, or Local law or order, or rescinded.

IT IS SO ORDERED THIS 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 2020

__________________________

Dr. Jay Allen, MD

 

Local Health Officer Linn County, Kansas