Phase out begins no earlier than June 15, 2020, as directed by Executive Order 20-29
Stay-At-Home orders are lifted and mass gathering limits are significantly relaxed.
Mass gatherings are defined as instances in which individuals are in one location and are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together) with only infrequent incidental moments of closer proximity.
Once the state is in Phase Out the Governor will issue additional guidelines to explain what health metrics will trigger an elimination of all statewide restrictions.
Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions during this phase, except as to essential functions in KEFF.
All businesses and activities should follow mass gatherings guidelines and institute appropriate public health measures.
Individuals should continue hygiene protocols and practice social distancing when applicable.
High-risk individuals should still exercise additional caution.
Any federal restrictions imposed and still in effect must be followed.
Individuals:
Stay home as much as possible.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Distance yourself from others when in public, especially if you have a medical condition that puts you in a high-risk category.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when in public.
Cover coughs and sneezes into an elbow or tissue. Throw the used tissue away and immediately wash your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including phones, keyboards, doorknobs, handles and light switches.
Individuals feeling sick:
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, seek medical care: fever (>100 F or 38 C), headache, cough, sore throat, rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, joint or muscle aches, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach or abdominal pain, and lack of appetite.
Stay home except to get medical care. Separate yourself from other people in your home. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face. Designate someone to routinely clean high-touch surfaces.
Households with sick family members:
Give sick members their own room if possible and keep interactions limited.
Consider providing additional protections or more intensive care for high-risk household members.
Have only one family member care for them.
Employers:
Develop and implement appropriate policies in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidance and share with employees.
Continue to use telework if possible and consider use of variable work schedules.
Use nonmedical cloth masks.
Frequent handwashing of employees and/or use of gloves. Use of gloves does not take the place of good handwashing, and gloves must be changed frequently to be effective.
Incorporate engineering controls such as physical barriers where possible. Reconfigure space to enable people to be located at least 6 feet apart.
Support and enable employees to remain at home if they are unwell or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
Establish strict routine cleanings by sanitizing frequently touched surfaces in between customer exchanges.
Provide signage at public entrances to inform all employees and customers of social distancing guidelines mandated within your business.
Create a plan for a potential outbreak or exposure in your community. If an employee tests positive for the virus, immediately contact your local health department and follow their instructions.
High risk individuals:
High-risk individuals include those with underlying medical conditions, including chronic lung disease, asthma, heart conditions, severe obesity, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, or who are otherwise immunocompromised.
Wear face masks when traveling outside of your household or interacting with other individuals.
Monitor health and potential symptoms closely and report any signs of COVID-19.
Limit all travel; telework if possible.
Limit attending gatherings of any number of people outside of your household or residence.
Do not visit nursing homes or other residential care facilities if possible.
Those who are, or work with, high-risk populations should undergo daily screenings and/or symptom monitoring and should be tested if they develop symptoms.
Households with high-risk individuals should consider providing more intensive precautions and should conduct themselves as if they are a significant risk to the high-risk individual, including wearing a face covering and washing hands frequenting.
NEWS
Leonard makes appearance in Bates County circuit court
Damon Leonard, of rural Pleasanton, made an appearance in Bates County Circuit Court in Butler, Mo., on Jan. 15, 2026. Leonard appeared via video from the Bates County Jail, where he is currently incarcerated, for the status hearing on the morning docket for Judge... [More]
Take our survey
Have you seen our new puzzle? Take our anonymous survey and tell us what you would like to see in our puzzle section! https://forms.gle/V4btD8GSmoH7SBjJ8
USD 344 approves capital improvement projects
After a very big project of replacing half of the air conditioning units at Pleasanton schools, the USD 344 Board approved approximately $326,000 more in improvements to fix some lingering problems. Superintendent Don Epps began what was a tour of the facility by talking about... [More]
More News
- La Cygne Council recognizes outgoing members
- Commissioners approve year-end budget transfers
- Testimony to lower Kansas property taxes needed
- Dog laws in Linn County
- Parade held for family of Holiday Lakes victim
- 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
SPORTS
Pleasanton boys’ basketball team picks up wins against Miami and Central Heights
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team continues winning basketball games as the team went 2-0 this past week to go 5-0 in district play and 7-1 overall. The Jays hosted Miami on Jan. 6 and defeated them in a r0ut 65-27 before traveling to Central Heights on Jan. 9 to win... [More]
Jayhawk basketball picks up wins against Oswego
The Jayhawk boys’ and girls’ basketball teams hosted Oswego on Jan. 9 in Three Rivers League action. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams won their games against the Indians as the girls won in a rout 49-15 and the boys won in a thriller 45-41. The... [More]
Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes at Louisburg
The Prairie View boys’ wrestling team traveled to Louisburg on Jan. 10 to compete in the Louisburg Invitational. The Buffalos placed 13th out of 16 teams with 60 team points. Breckyn Malin, 106, went 1-3 in the tournament. Malin won his second match by fall. Bentlee... [More]
More Sports
- Blu-Jay boys sweep and girls split against Altoona Midway and Uniontown
- Prairie View girls’ basketball falls to Santa Fe Trail and Iola
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball dominates Southeast Cherokee and Erie
- 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
COMMUNITY
Carbon Monoxide and what you need to know
In 2025, the Linn County Rural Fire Department responded to 17 callouts dealing with carbon monoxide and, already in 2026, there has been at least one call to the Linn County Rural Fire Department for a carbon monoxide issue. Early in the year, Linn County Rural Fire... [More]
The Power of Hobbies: Why staying engaged matters as we age
As we grow older, maintaining health and independence becomes a top priority. While exercise and healthy eating often take center stage, one powerful tool for aging well is often overlooked - hobbies. Whether it’s gardening, painting, playing music or... [More]
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]
More Community
- Call for Entries: Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Art Exhibit 2026
- Tips for a safe New Year’s Eve
- 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


