ORDER of the Linn County Public Health Officer May 1, 2020: 6:00 PM
Emergency Public Health Order issued on this 1st day of May 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.. A. 65-202 and other applicable laws or regulations. This Order will be a supplement to the Governor ' s Executive Order 20-29 which Linn County will follow as required.
Section One: Definitions
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 the purposes of this Order the phrase " public gathering' is defined as any planned or spontaneous, public or private event or convening that will bring together or is likely to bring together more than ten people not from the same household or family.
C. COVID-19 Coronavirus symptoms include (but are not limited to) fever cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, chills, aches fatigue, loss of smell or taste, nausea/vomiting diarrhea.
Section Two: Restricted Activities
For purposes of this Order, individuals are ordered to restrict activities. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to 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.
A. REDUCE ACTIVITIES
All individuals are urged to refrain from activities that place them in close contact with others outside of their own household.
To the extent possible, caregivers should ensure that their children are not gathering or playing in close contact with other children outside their household. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are urged to stay in their residence, except as necessary to seek medical care. Individuals who are sick may leave their residence only as necessary to seek or receive medical care in accordance with guidance from public health officials. All individuals are encouraged to exercise Social Distancing requirements to the extent possible.
Local Health Order - May 1, 2020: 6:00 PM
Page 2 of 5
B. BUSINESSES AND LOCATIONS
For purposes of this Order, if open to the public the following Businesses and Locations are required to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with Required Business Practices listed in Appendix A of this order.
All businesses must maintain social distancing and continue to strive to reduce in-person contacts as much as possible. We further recommend that Businesses attempt to use curb-side services, or delivery if applicable and avoid having customers in-store whenever possible.
The following businesses may continue to operate following the Governor’s requirements and guidelines in Executive Order 20-29 and with the additional requirements of Appendix A of this Order:
• 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
• Schools/Educational Facilities
• Convenient Stores, Gas Stations, Auto-Supply, Auto-Repair, Emergency Road Services and Related Services and Facilities - customer self-service operations shall be allowed.
• Utility, Water and Sewer Providers
• Funeral Homes - Should maintain mass gathering and social distancing requirements as appropriate.
• Churches - Should maintain social distancing and mass gathering requirements as appropriate. Churches are encouraged to continue online, drive-in, radio and other telecommunications tools whenever possible.
• Laundromats
• Information Technology Essential Services (Internet/Cell Phone)
• Manufacturing
The following businesses are encouraged to continue curb-side pick-up only. However, in-store customers are allowed but shall be by appo intment/reservation only and the business must maintain the following information on each in-store customer which includes Customer Name Phone Number, Date of Visit , Arrival Time and Departure Time. This information must be kept and made available to the Linn County Public Health Department upon request for the purposes of Contact Tracing for a minimum of 30 days from time of visit. If more than 1 person is in the group, names of each person in the party shall be recorded. Businesses must also follow the Governor's requirements and guidelines in Executive Order 20-29 and with the additional requirements of Appendix A of this Order:
• All licensed and lawfully operated medical service provider offices providing human and/or animal health care, including but not limited to, clinics, veterinary clinics, chiropractic clinics, physical therapy clinics, optometrists' offices, dental offices and pharmacies. - Proper medical practices should be followed.
• Local Government Essential Services - Local governmental operations in public buildings should remain closed to Public Access. Business should be conducted by appointment only and all workers and visitors should be pre-screened prior to entry.
• Banks
• Agricultural Businesses
• Parts Stores/Lumber Yards/Hardware Stores
Local Health Order - May 1 2020: 6:00 PM
Page 3 of 5
• Restaurants - In restaurant dining may be permitted provided Governor's requirements and guidelines in Executive Order 20-29 are followed and the mass gathering limits are not exceeded. Additionally, reservations must be used following the requirements described above. Walk-in customers shall not be permitted without a reservation. Carry-out, curb-side pickup and delivery options are still encouraged.
- customer self-service operations shall be allowed.
• Other Retail Sales - Examples include liquor stores, gun stores, pawn shops and other similar business types.
• Day Care Facilities
1. Childcare facilities providing services shall operate only under the following conditions:
a Childcare shall be canied out in stable groups of 10 or fewer ("stable" means the same 10 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
b. Children shall not move from one stable group to another.
c. If more than one stable group of children is cared for at one facility, each stable group shall be in a separate room. Different stable groups shall not mix with one another; and
d. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one stable group of children.
e. Every child shall be screened for their temperature upon arrival and again just before leaving the facility. The temperature check cannot be taken within four (4) hours after a fever reducing medication was given.
f. The childcare facility shall present, upon request of the Local Health Officer the completed
screening form for each child in the facility. Failure to comply shall result in immediate closure of the facility by the Local Health Officer.
• Misc. Service Providers - Examples of this business type are accountants, insurance offices, attorneys, realtors and similar business types. Businesses must maintain social distancing and meeting areas, vehicles, etc. must be cleaned/sanitized as appropriate after each client.
• Libraries - Shall maintain social distancing and mass gathering requirements and shall not allow more than ½ the legal occupant load into the Library at any time.
• Public park spaces, trails, and golf courses, provided social distancing and mass gathering criteria are met. All playground equipment use is prohibited. - Golfers shall not remove green flags use ball cleaners or other high-touch items while playing golf.
• Linn County Park - Shall be allowed to open for daytime use but is not allowed to open grounds for overnight camping activities (except those persons already camping before park was closed to camping).
Section Three. 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 Four. This Order is effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2020 and shall remain in effect until amended, superseded, or rescinded.
Any person violating any provision of this order or failing to comply with any of the above requirements shall be fined, upon conviction, up to $500 for each offense pursuant to K.S.A. 65- 127.
Local Health Order - May 1, 2020: 6:00 PM
Page 4 of 5
Section Five. If there is a conflict between something in this order and Governor Kelly's Executive Order 20-
29 that causes this order to be less restrictive than EO 20-29, the Governor's EO 20-29 shall take precedence over this local order.
This Order shall remain in effect from this date until revoked, in writing, by the Linn County Local Health Officer or the Board of Linn County Commissioners, sitting as the Board of Health.
SO ORDERED, this pt day of May. 2020.

Local Health Order - May 1, 2020: 6:00 PM Page S of S
Appendix A, Required Business Practices
Outside the store:
• Any business with a legal occupant load of over 50 people must put in place controls to ensure that the number of customers inside the store stays at a level that provides for the requirements of social distancing and current mass gathering requirements.
• If there is crowding, limit the number of customers allowed to enter the store. Staff an employee at the front door and, as one (1) customer leaves, allow another customer in.
• Post signs at the front door informing customers of occupancy limits.
• If carts or hand basket are provided, place carts and hand baskets at the front of the store and clean handles
before bringing them into the store or providing them to a customer or provide means for customers to sanitize their own carts.
Inside the store:
• At point-of-sale registers, limit the lines and post signs at each register urging customers to maintain a social distancing of six (6) feet.
• Provide shielding between customers and employees at registers
• Post social distancing signs and floor markings in key areas throughout the store.
• Place hand sanitizer available at every open register.
• Routinely clean the store and have soap and water available in restrooms.
• Customers and employees should wear masks at all times unless prohibited by use of other safety equipment requirements.
Action Items:
• Make alcohol-based hand sanitizer available for customers and other visitors.
• Require employees to stay home if they are sick.
• Observe and require social distancing measures.
• Routinely clean stores and increase spot cleaning of high traffic areas and restrooms, using CDC approved disinfectants.
• Screen workers for fevers and any symptoms of COVID-19 with a questionnaire at workplace entrance.
• Pre-Screen clients for COVID-19 symptoms prior to allowing entry.
Questions
Linn County Health Department Information line 913-795-7302
NEWS
Testimony to lower Kansas property taxes needed
Anyone who would like to testify concerning their increasing property taxes, please read below as the deadline is soon to testify on behalf of lowering property taxes in Kansas. Below are directions for participating in the hearing process for SCR 1616 - Cap Assessment... [More]
Dog laws in Linn County
Following the recent incident at a local lake community involving dogs this reporter gathered information regarding laws and ordinances from across the county in regards to dogs. That information has been compiled. According to Linn County Sheriff Jame Akes, there is no Kansas... [More]
Parade held for family of Holiday Lakes victim
The death of Airen Andula on Dec. 13 touched the heartstrings of those in Linn County and throughout the region; with that a car parade was held in honor of the 13-year-0ld boy who loved Hot Wheels. Parade coordinator Skylar Gabrini, Pleasanton, said, “I don’t know... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Council holds planning session, seeks drug dog
- SPECIAL: KCKPD Releases Cause of Death for Pleasanton, Kansas Teen
- Missouri case filed following death of Holiday Lakes’ teen
- Commissioners hear from SEKMHC board member on services, salaries
- NOTICE: Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Blue Mound, Linn County
- Commissioners review numbers for park and marina
- Skipper resigns from Pleasanton Council
- SPECIAL: Missing Juvenile – Public Assistance Requested
SPORTS
Blu-Jay boys sweep and girls split against Altoona Midway and Uniontown
The Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ basketball teams played Three River League opponents this past week as they traveled to Altoona Midway on Dec. 16 and then to Uniontown on Dec. 19. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or... [More]
Prairie View girls’ basketball falls to Santa Fe Trail and Iola
The Prairie View girls’ basketball teams had two Pioneer League opponents this week in Santa Fe Trail and Iola. The Lady Buffs traveled to Santa Fe Trail on Dec. 16 and hosted Iola on Dec. 18. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News... [More]
Jayhawk girls’ basketball dominates Southeast Cherokee and Erie
The Jayhawk girls’ basketball team continued their winning ways this past week as they faced TRL foes Southeast Cherokee and Erie. The girls hosted Cherokee on Dec. 16 before traveling to Erie on Dec. 19. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball place second at Linn County Tournament with a solid performance
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball wins the Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes in the Fort Scott dual tournament
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ wrestling kicks off season with a solid performance at Caney Valley
- Pleasanton basketball opens season with wins over Marmaton Valley
- Prairie View football has 10 players make the All Pioneer League team
- Dawson signs with Pitt State
COMMUNITY
Heartland REC expands Future Foundations Scholarship Program to 12 awards
GIRARD, Kan. — Applications are now open for the 2026 Future Foundations Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships of $1,000 each to high school seniors who live in homes served by Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative and are preparing for careers in high-demand... [More]
Call for Entries: Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Art Exhibit 2026
The Bourbon County Arts Council announces its Call for Entries for the 34th Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit, to be held at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, Thursday, March 5, through Saturday, March 14.... [More]
Tips for a safe New Year’s Eve
New Year's Eve is one of the most festive nights of the year. Despite its reputation for revelry, New Year's Eve also can be dangerous, which underscores the need to celebrate responsibly when ringing in a new year. American Addiction Centers surveyed 1,000 Americans regarding... [More]
More Community
- KIDS CORNER: The stories behind Christmas traditions and symbols
- 2026 Operation Round Up awardees selected; more than $50,000 to be distributed
- Christmas food drive planned Dec. 20
- A piece of Prescott’s history
- Dream Aesthetics, Mound City, fulfilling a dream
- Holiday food drive distributions this weekend
- Prairie View FFA team places well at national Ag Mechanics competition
- Heartland awards $5,000 to Linn County Fair Association for fairgrounds intercom system


