Governor Laura Kelly Signs Executive Order Mandating Masks in Public Spaces

Simple, Proactive Way to Keep Kansans safe, and Keep Kansas Businesses Open

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today issued Executive Order #20-52 requiring that most Kansans must wear a mask while in public spaces, and in places where individuals are unable to maintain social distancing of six feet.

Executive Order #20-52 takes effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and will remain in place until rescinded or until the current statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires – whichever is earlier.

“The last few months have presented many new challenges for Kansans, and all of us want to return to our normal lives and routines,” Governor Kelly said. “Unfortunately, we have seen a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across our state and our country. We must act.”

Viruses don’t stop at county lines. This order doesn’t change where you can go or what you can do. But wearing a mask is a simple and effective way to keep Kansans healthy and keep Kansas open for business.”

Under the order, Kansans are required to wear masks when inside any public space – including their workplace – or in situations where social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Guidance regarding specific places or situations in which masks are required is outlined within the order.

Kansans under five years of age, those with medical conditions, and others specifically outlined in the order are exempt from these requirements.

To view EO #20-52, click here.

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Orders #20-49, #20-50, and #20-51. #20-49 reissues the orders listed below, and #20-50 updates and extends Executive Order 20-38, which provides temporary relief from certain unemployment insurance requirements during the state of disaster emergency. Executive Order #20-51 extends the term of the 2020 Kansas Complete Count Committee until November 1, 2020. Executive Orders #20-49 and #20-50 will remain in force until September 15, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires.

• 20-36 – Drivers’ license and vehicle registration and regulation during state of disaster emergency

• 20-37 – Allowing certain deferred tax deadlines and payments during state of disaster emergency

• 20-39 – Extending professional and occupational licenses during state of disaster emergency

• 20-40 – Temporarily allowing notaries and witnesses to act via audio-video communication technology during state of disaster emergency

• 20-41 – Licensure, Certification, and Registration for persons and Licensure of “Adult Care Homes” during state of disaster emergency

• 20-42 – Temporarily suspending certain rules relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages during state of disaster emergency

• 20-43 – Temporary relief from certain restrictions concerning shared work programs during state of disaster emergency

Executive Order #20-50 allows a temporary change to Kansas employment security law, stating, “The requirement that Kansans receiving unemployment benefits actively seek work each week is temporarily waived for all claimants to allow Kansans to continue the necessary social distancing practices.”

“The ongoing threat of COVID-19 has impacted our way of life and created many new challenges for Kansans and their families,” Governor Kelly said. “As cases continue to rise both in Kansas and across the county, reissuing these orders is a necessary step to keep Kansans healthy while also keeping the state open for business.”

Executive Order #20-49 can be found here.

Executive Order #20-50 can be found here.

Executive Order #20-51 can be found here.

Governor Kelly Encourages Kansans to Have a Safe Independence Day Weekend

As Kansans prepare for the July 4^th weekend, KDHE has put together the following guide to help you have a safe, healthy Independence Day.

“The COVID-19 virus is still very much in our communities and taking basic public health steps will help keep Kansans safe and Kansas open for business,” Governor Kelly said.

The guidance below comes from Governor Laura Kelly’s Ad Astra Reopening Plan and reflects the state’s current recommendation to counties to remain in Phase 3 of the plan. Local units of government have full discretion to impose additional or less stringent requirements on activities, businesses, and venues. Individuals should always consult with their local units of government for any additional questions and comply with local restrictions.

Independence Day and the Ad Astra COVID-19 Reopening Plan

Public Health Guidance for Individuals and Families Celebrating Independence Day

• General Health Tips
  • If you are sick, stay home and contact your doctor.
  • Continue social distancing whenever possible. The best way to protect yourself and others is to keep 6 feet from others (except for those you live with) especially if you have a medical condition that puts you in a high-risk category.
  • 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.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes into an elbow or tissue. Throw the used tissue away and immediately wash your hands.
  • Masks are strongly encouraged, especially in places where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
  • If you or a loved one is considered high-risk, stay home and avoid parties or gatherings.

• Tips for parties, gatherings, and get-togethers:
  • Socially distance whenever you can. Avoid any instances in which groups of 45 or more people are gathered together and can’t maintain 6 feet.
  • Given that social distancing is still practiced, outdoor activities are strongly encouraged over indoor activities. If engaging in indoor activities, practice strict social distancing and maintain ventilation throughout your home by opening doors or windows.
  • Make sure you have soap, paper towels, disinfecting supplies, and other important cleaning materials ready.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces like tables, door knobs, faucets, etc.
  • Have paper towels, hand sanitizer, and other cleaning items ready in your bathroom for use.
  • To protect their health, high-risk individuals should not attend social gatherings in-person. If the gathering is occurring in a home with a high-risk individual, those individuals should not interact face-to-face with guests. They should join via video chat or other virtual means.
  • Make sure that anyone who is handling food wears gloves. Friends and family should be consistently washing hands.
  • Food and Drink Tips
    • Avoid punchbowls or other communal drink stations. Use individual packaged drinks and chips.
    • Use disposable plates and utensils if unable to constantly clean dishes.
    • Avoid buffets or other self-service food stations. Have individuals with gloves and masks serve food.
    • If guests are bringing dishes, request that they bring them covered.
    • Avoid single source drink containers, like kegs or pitchers.
    • Avoid single source food spreads like, chips and dip.

• Heat Safety Tips
  • • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
    • Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors as they absorb the sun’s rays.
    • Slow down, stay indoors. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day. Postpone outdoor games and activities.
    • Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.

• Fireworks Tips
  • The Kansas Office of the Fire Marshal has provided the following fireworks tips for families:
    • Always ignite outdoors
    • Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities
    • Have a water supply nearby
    • Light from a solid, flat and stable platform
    • Light only one firework at a time
    • Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely before disposing
    • Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
    • Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
    • Use a long-handled lighter
  • Bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas – including propane – is stored.
  • Always refer to the local ordinances as to whether fireworks are allowed in your area as well as what types. Some cities or counties have restricted dates/times or types of fireworks that may be sold or discharged.

• Travel Guidance:
  • Currently, KDHE does not consider travel within Kansas as a criterion for travel-related quarantine. A local health officer may choose to include this as a criteria so you should be aware of your local isolation and quarantine criteria.
  • However, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) does issue regular mandates on travel-related quarantines for international, domestic travel to other states, and cruise-related travel. People in Kansas are asked to quarantine for a period of 14 days starting from the day they arrive in Kansas after visiting a high-risk location.
  • As of 6/29 KDHE is mandating a 14-day home quarantine for Kansans if you have done any of the following:
    • Traveled to:
      • South Carolina and Florida on or after June 29.
      • Alabama, Arizona, or Arkansas on or after June 17.
      • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
      • International travel on or after March 15.
    • Others needing to continue quarantining:
      • Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.