Stay at home in effect in Kansas starting Monday

As part of ongoing efforts to limit the spread of novel coronavirus in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly today issued Executive Order 20-16, making Kansas the 22nd state in the nation to institute a temporary, statewide stay-home order. It will exist in conjunction with the Kansas Essential Function Framework for COVID-19 response efforts and will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 30. The measure will be in place at least until Sunday, April 19.

“Our modeling continues to suggest that the number of confirmed positive coronavirus cases in Kansas could reach as high as 900 over the next week,” Kelly said. “While I left these decisions to local health departments as long as possible, the reality is that the patchwork approach that has developed is inconsistent and is a recipe for chaos and, ultimately, for failure in our statewide fight to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Under Executive Order 20-16, Kansans are directed to stay home unless performing one of the following essential activities:

Obtaining food, medicine and other household necessities.

Going to and from work at a business or organization performing an essential function as identified in the Kansas Essential Function Framework.

Seeking medical care.

Caring for children, family members or pets, or caring for a vulnerable person in another location.

Engaging in an outdoor activity, provided individuals maintain a distance of six feet from one another and abide by the 10-person limitation on gathering size.

“I know this is hard, and I can’t tell you how much I wish it weren’t necessary,” Kelly said. “But we have a small window to ensure that Kansas does not suffer the same terrible fate of other hard-hit states like New York and Missouri. We’ve all got to do our part to help stop the spread of the disease. Stay home. Stay Safe.”

In a public address to Kansans on Saturday morning, Kelly explained that this action became necessary for three key reasons:

To provide statewide uniformity in response efforts;

To prevent overwhelming hospitals – especially rural hospitals – who may not have the same capacity to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients;

To buy Kansas more time as the state officials work with federal partners to secure badly needed protective personal equipment (PPE), additional ventilators and COVID-19 testing supplies.

Kelly also commended federal efforts in recent days to support state and local response efforts in the form of an historic emergency relief package. More details about implications the federal stimulus bill will have for Kansas will be released as they become available.

The executive order can be viewed here:governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/executive-orders/

Please visitkdheks.gov/coronavirusfor additional virus-related information, and visitgetkansasbenefits.govfor federal stimulus benefits updates or to file for Unemployment Insurance benefits.

Two new cases of coronavirus reported

McPherson County Health Department is announcing the second and third case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in McPherson County. Testing sent to Quest Laboratories identified the positive cases. 

The second case involves a male patient above the age of 70 with known recent cruise ship travel. The patient is recovering in isolation at home. McPherson County Health Department has not identified any close contacts of the first and second cases. At this time, no exposure to McPherson County residents, stores or restaurants have been identified for these two cases. If an exposure is identified after this release, those exposed will be contacted immediately.

We will be monitoring these contacts for fever and respiratory symptoms. No further information about the patient will be released.

The third case involves a female patient above the age of 70. The patient is recovering in isolation at home. McPherson County Health Department is working to identify any close contacts of the individual and those who were exposed with be contacted immediately. We will be monitoring these contacts for fever and respiratory symptoms. No further information about the patient will be released. 

Please let this serve as the reason the Safer-At-Home Order is necessary and appropriate. McPherson County residents should be taking all precautions to stay safe.

Questions should be emailed to [email protected] and we will be in contact as soon as possible. If you have questions about your place of employment, please reach out to your employer. If you are reporting a situation, please email us at the email above with details. 

KDHE has released guidelines for quarantine and isolation of travelers who visited locations where large numbers of people have contracted the disease. Those guidelines can befoundatwww.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/COVID-19_Resource_Center.htm.

McPherson County issues safer at home order

EMERGENCY SAFER-AT-HOME ORDER OF THE MCPHERSON COUNTY LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER MARCH 27, 2020

Applicable within the entirety of McPherson County, Kansas

This Emergency Public Health Order is effective the 27th of March, 2020, at 5:00 pm to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in McPherson County, Kansas pursuant to the authority provided in K.S.A. 65-119, McPherson County Resolution No. 2020-03, and other applicable laws or regulations.

WHEREAS, the Local Health Officer is authorized and required, pursuant to K.S.A. 65-119, and McPherson County Resolution No. 2020-03 to immediately exercise and maintain a supervision over known or suspected cases of any infectious or contagious disease during its continuance, and to issue orders seeing that all such cases are properly handled and that the provisions of the Kansas public health laws as to isolation, quarantine, and disinfection are duly enforced; and

WHEREAS, the Local Health Officer is appointed  by the Board of  McPherson County Commissioners and is authorized, pursuant to  K. S.A  65-119(a)  to  prohibit  public gatherings  when necessary  for  the  control of any and all infectious or contagious diseases, and to use all  known  measures  to  prevent  the spread of any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease pursuant to McPherson County Resolution No.2020-03 and consistent with K.S.A 65-202; and

WHEREAS, on March 27th,2020, the Board of McPherson County Commissioners voted to state a local disaster emergency for McPherson County for 60 days; and

WHEREAS, COV ID-19 is a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death, has been confirmed in Kansas and McPherson County, resulting in serious illness and multiple deaths to date in Kansas; and

WHEREAS, such conditions endanger health, safety and welfare of persons and property within McPherson County, Kansas; and

WHEREAS , to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and the McPherson County Local Health Officer, all recommend implementation of community mitigation strategies to  increase containment  of  COVID- 19, including cancellation of large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings; and

WHEREAS, the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 and the resulting epidemic in Kansas and McPherson County continue to threaten the life and health of our citizens and visitors as well as the vitality of the economy and remains a public disaster affecting life, health, property, and the public peace; and

 WHEREAS, this public health order to stay at home is being issued to slow the rate of community spread of COVID-19 through intensified social distancing. It is estimated that each COVID-19 positive person could infect between 2.6 to 4 other people. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence of transmission among pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic people, making routine case-finding and exposure tracing strategies ideally within 2 weeks of the first case and are key to flattening the epidemic curve to prevent overwhelming our local health care system’s ability to care for the proportion of residents who develop severe symptoms. Early implementation of this strategy is even more important in the context of limited available testing. With full community cooperation, this proactive health order can minimize the  impact of COVID-19 on our McPherson County community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the McPherson County Local Health Officer, pursuant to the above authorities that:

Section 1. Definitions and Exemptions

For purposes of this Order, “Social  Distancing  Requirements”  means  maintaining at  least 6 feet of social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at  least  20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surf aces , and not shaking hands .For purposes of this Order, individuals are directed to stay at home and leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities” as described below. All businesses and operations in McPherson County, except Essential Businesses as defined below, are required to cease all activities at their places of business, although such businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities from their own residences  (i.e., working from home). 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 careTo engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets) such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional;To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, to obtain supplies they need to work from home, or to deliver  those services or supplies to others, such as by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supplies, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, personal safety items, and any other household consumer products, and product necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;

To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running. Individuals may use parks or other public area. However, use of playground and park equipment is prohibited;

To perform work providing essential products and serves at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order;To care for family member or pet in another household, or engage in transportation or to transport the family member or pet to provide for such care;To comply with valid court or administrative orders;

To work for or obtain services  at  any  “Healthcare  Operations”  location  including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology  companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. “Healthcare Operations” also includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals.

This exemption shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts on the delivery of healthcare , broadly defined. ” Healthcare Operations” does not include activities at fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities;

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, construction of housing (in particular, affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, aerospace, national defense, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), provided that individuals carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as define din this Section to the extent possible/

For purposes of this Order, all first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel, United States Armed Forces personnel and activities related thereto, and others working for or to support Essential Businesses are categorically exempt from this Order. Further, nothing in this Order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing “Essential Governmental Functions.” Essential Government Functions means all services needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the public. All Essential Governmental Functions shall be performed in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, to the extent possible.

For purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:

Healthcare Operations, Essential Infrastructure, and Essential Governmental Functions;Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned foods, dry good, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply , fresh meats, fish and poultry, liquor stores, personal safety and protection stores and shops, and any other household consumer products such as cleaning and personal care products. This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences; however, the touching of unpacked baked good is prohibited;

Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;

Human and animal food processing facility workers;Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;

Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair and servicing, emergency road services, and related facilities;

Banks and related financial institutions;

Also:

Hardware stores;Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, construction, cleaning and janitorial staff, security staff, HVAC, lawn care and landscaping and other trades and services providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;

Educational institutions, which includes public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions related to distance learning and support to other essential businesses (such as transportation and law enforcement), provided that social distancing of 6-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible. School buildings may be used if needed to house individuals, distribute food, provide medical care, distance learning or any other services deemed necessary to protect the life and property and other critical resources;

Laundromats and laundry service providers, provided that social distancing of 6-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;

Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food and/or beverages, but only for drive thru, delivery, or carry out and not for consumption of food and/or beverages on the premises. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;

Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;

Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses with the supplies necessary to operate;

Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, beverages, goods or services directly to residences;

Taxis, aircraft, commercial transportation and logistics providers and services and other transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;

Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;

Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;

Professional services, such as legal services, account services, real estate services, and insurance services, provided that social distancing of 6-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible and business is conducted virtually to the greatest extent possible;

Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempt from this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions:

Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 10 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 10 or fewer children are in the same group each day);

Children shall not change from one group to another;

If more than one group of children is cared for at the same facility, each group shall be in separate rooms and groups shall not mix with each other; and

Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children;

Mortuary, cremation, and burial services;

Hotels and motels, to the extent used for lodging and delivery or carry-out food services;

Manufacturing companies, distributors, and supply chain companies producing and supplying essential products and services in and for residences and industries in pharmaceuticals, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, chemicals and sanitation, waste pickup and disposal, agriculture, food and beverage, transportation, aerospace, energy , construction, national defense, communications, as well as products and services used by Essential Businesses; and Leaders and employees of religious institutions.

Section 2.Essential Businesses must take proactive measures to ensure compliance with Social Distancing Requirements, including where possible:

Designate 6-foot distances.Designating with signage, tape, or by other means 6-foot spacing for employees and customers in line to maintain appropriate distance;Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products.Having anti-microbial soap and water or hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for employees and customers;

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

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

Protective equipment.As supplies are currently available and become available, providing employees who have frequent contact with the public with protective equipment, including but not limited to gloves and

Section 3.All large public gatherings of people in McPherson County are prohibited unless otherwise ordered by the Local Health Officer or the Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the Board of Health. Large public gatherings are those with more than ten (10) people in attendance or anticipated to attend, both indoor and outdoor, except for Essential Businesses. A “gathering” does not include normal operations at spaces where persons may be in transit  or coming and going individually  or in groups of less than ten (10) persons. For all gatherings of people, the Local Health Officer strongly recommends everyone to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, and federal, state, and local public health officials and private medical providers.

Section 4.Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-119, McPherson County Resolution No. 2020-03, and other legal authority, any sheriff, deputy sheriff or other law enforcement officer of the state or any political subdivision within McPherson County, Kansas is hereby ordered to assist in the execution or enforcement of this Order.

Section 5.Pursuant to the State of Kansas Executive Order No. 20-15, any business or organization that does not meet the Essential Business criteria listed in Section l(D) shall request an exemption from this Order by providing written request to the McPherson County Local Health Officer. The business or organization should identify by number the categories of essential functions it performs and provide any brief necessary explanation to establish that it performs those functions. The Local Health Officer shall determine which, if any, functions of the requesting business or organization are exempt from the local order and inform the requesting business or organization of the determination. The Local Health Officer must grant exemptions from the restrictions of this Order to businesses or organizations for the performance of the Kansas Essential Function Framework (KEFF) essential functions listed in the State of Kansas Executive Order No. 20-15.

Section 6.This Order may be supplemented or modified as required for the effective and efficient managements and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in McPherson County by further order or direction of the Board of County Commissioners, acting as the Board of Health, or by the McPherson County Local Health Officer.

Section 7.This Order is effective immediately on March 27, 2020, and shall remain in effect for thirty days, or April 25, 2020, unless sooner amended, superseded, or rescinded.