Phase two begins no earlier than May18, 2020, as directed by Executive Order 20-29

Mass gatherings of more than 30 individuals are prohibited. Mass gatherings are defined as instances in which individuals are in one location and unable to maintain 6 feet of distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together) with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity. Businesses or functions that are already in operation pursuant to KEFF may continue to function while, if possible, avoiding gatherings of more than 30 individuals where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions during this phase is permitted to do so, except with regards to essential functions in KEFF. Any federal restrictions imposed and still in effect must be followed

Guidance for individuals during this phase

Masks: Individuals are encouraged to wear cloth masks in public settings as appropriate.

Outdoor Activities: When in public (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), individuals (not including individuals who reside together) should maintain 6 feet of distance from others with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.

Social Gatherings: Avoid socializing in person with groups of more than 30 individuals in both indoor and outdoor settings, especially in circumstances that do not allow for a physical distance of 6 feet or more between individuals or groups with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity. (e.g., receptions, trade shows).

High-Risk Individuals: High-risk individuals are advised to continue to stay home except for essential needs.

Travel: Minimize nonessential travel and follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas. Essential travel includes travel for urgent and necessary family, medical, and business related needs as determined by the individual or business

Guidance for employers during Phase One

Telework: Strongly encouraged for all employees when possible.

On-site Operations: Avoid large gatherings of employees in groups of more than 30 where social distancing protocols cannot be maintained except for infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity and continue to phase in employees on-site as possible while maintaining 6 feet of distance between employee workstations.

Potentially Sick Employees: Any employees exhibiting symptoms should be required to stay at home and asked to call their health care provider.

Business Travel: Minimize nonessential travel and follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas. Essential travel includes travel for urgent and necessary family, medical, and business related needs as determined by the individual or business.

Visits to Long-term Care Facilities or Correctional Facilities: In-person visits to these facilities should be prohibited. Those who must interact with residents must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene.

All businesses otherwise specified MAY OPEN IF: They can maintain at least 6 feet of distance between consumers (individuals or groups). Restaurants or dining establishments may meet this requirement by using physical barriers sufficient to prevent virus spread between seated customers or groups of seated customers and fundamental cleaning and public health practices are followed.

Businesses should follow industry specific guidelines as provided on covid.ks.gov.

Compliance with any additional best practices guidance from each business sector is strongly encouraged and businesses must avoid any instances in which groups of more than 30 individuals are in one location and are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity. This does not limit the total occupancy of a facility, but requires that facilities limit mass gatherings in areas and instances in which physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as in tables, entrances, lobbies, break rooms, checkout areas, etc.

The following businesses MAY OPEN IF they comply with the requirements in the paragraphs above and ONLY to the extent described below:

Bars and nightclubs may open at 50% total occupancy and can otherwise continue operating curbside and carryout services.

Casinos (non-tribal), but only if they comply with uniform guidelines approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

K-12 facilities remain subject to the provisions EO 20-07 regarding school closures, except that up to 30 students, instructors, or staff may be present for normal operations. K-12 facilities should continue to follow the guidelines of the Continuous Learning Plan developed by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Districts with facilities in more than one county or city should follow any applicable directives issued by the county or city in which their district office is located.

Higher education facilities that are closed before May 4 should remain closed for in person learning or events involving groups of more than 30 individuals present at a time. Licensed childcare facilities may reopen or continue operations pursuant to state and local regulations. All activities and venues not prohibited MAY OPEN IF:

They can maintain at least 6 feet of distance between individuals or groups and fundamental cleaning and public health practices are followed. Compliance with any additional sector specific best practices guidance is strongly encouraged and avoid any instances in which more than 30 individuals are in one location and are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.

This does not limit the total occupancy of a facility, but requires that facilities limit mass gatherings in areas and instances in which physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as in entrances, lobbies, locker rooms, etc.

The following activities and venues MAY OPEN IF they comply with the requirements to the above and ONLY to the extent described below:

Organized sports facilities and tournaments, except that concessions must not include self-service food or beverages

The following activities and venues DO NOT OPEN in this phase:

- Outdoor and indoor large entertainment venues with capacity of 2,000 or more

- Fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades, and graduations

- Summer camps

Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions on businesses during this phase, except as to essential functions in KEFF.

 

 

NEWS

Commissioners meet with auditor in executive session

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During the Dec. 1 meeting, the commissioners held a 15-minute executive session with Linn County Clerk Chasity Ware, Linn County Counselor Jacklyn Paletta and the auditor, Rodney Burns. Following the 15-minute executive session, which was requested by Ware in connection with... [More]

USD 362 board makes personnel decisions

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Members debate value of petty cash funds   Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education acted on personnel and debated the existence of petty cash funds at their monthly meeting Nov. 18. After three executive sessions totaling 30 minutes for... [More]

USD 362 leader apprises board of taxing mistake

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Johnson says school district should not pay for correction   Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education has been publicly apprised of a mill-levy error affecting already-mailed property tax statements in Miami County. At the Nov. 18 monthly... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View football has 10 players make the All Pioneer League team

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The Prairie View football team was well represented in this year’s All Pioneer League team. The Buffalos had four players on the first team, three on the second team, and four on the honorable mention team.  To see the full article, check out this week's edition... [More]

Dawson signs with Pitt State

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Jayhawk Linn senior Brea Dawson, joined with coaches and family, signs to the Pittsburg State University track and field team. Back row: (left to right) Jeff Dawson, DeAnn Dawson, Kate Strader, Taylor Snyder. Front row: (left to right) Shayla Long, Brea Dawson,... [More]

Hume teams lose openers, prepare for league tourney

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High school basketball might still be nine days away for the three Linn County high schools, but the season is already underway for state-line neighbor Hume, Mo. The Hornet teams began their season last Friday with home losses to Wheatland, Mo., the girls in a tight 48-40 match,... [More]

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COMMUNITY

A piece of Prescott’s history

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Elevator razed Last week the Burlington Northern- Santa Fe Railroad Co. (BNSF) took down the old grain elevator and storage bins at Prescott, taking with it a large piece of history that touched several families in the community. Originally, it was built by members of the Norbury... [More]

Dream Aesthetics, Mound City, fulfilling a dream

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Life is a series of twists and turns and for Dream Aesthetics owner, Rhonda Kellstadt, it took her into self-employment and happiness in life. Many know Kellstadt from her many years working as a nurse practitioner with Mercy Health, transitioning to CHC/SEK in Pleasanton;... [More]

Holiday food drive distributions this weekend

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Besides the food pantries located across Linn County, individual entities are collecting food for distribution, two of them this weekend. The first is a food drive organized by the First Christian Church in Pleasanton, 603 N. Main, with distribution of food items scheduled... [More]

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