Friday, November 20, 2020

11/18/20 - Governor Kelly Issues Executive Order #20-68

 For Immediate Release:

November 18, 2020

Contact:
Lauren Fitzgerald, Press Secretary
lauren.fitzgerald@ks.gov

Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Steps to Slow the Spread of COVID-19


TOPEKA-  Governor Laura Kelly today announced several new steps her administration is taking to combat the spike in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The new plan includes a public health campaign, community engagement conversations and an executive order establishing a statewide face-covering protocol as part of her administrations all-of-the-above strategy to keep Kansans healthy, keep schools and businesses open, and protect Kansas economy.

“As COVID-19 continues to spread through Kansas communities and hospitalizations increase at concerning rates, it is clear we must take action to protect our communities and our economy”, Governor Laura Kelly said. “Today’s actions are a bipartisan package of recommendations from legislators, health professionals, and business leaders to increase participation in commonsense COVID-19 prevention practices.”

E.O. #20-68 takes effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, and will remain in place until rescinded or until the current statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires whichever is earlier.

“My administration recognizes that each Kansas county is faced with unique challenges and a one-size-fits-all approach can be difficult for some communities to navigate”, Governor Kelly said. “The order allows local officials one week to craft and implement their own version of a face covering ordinance that works for them and their communities.”

Under the order, Kansans shall wear face coverings when inside public spaces, or in situations where physical distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Guidance regarding specific locations or situations in which face coverings should be worn is outlined within the order.

Kansans under five years of age, those with medical conditions, and others outlined in the order are exempt from face covering protocol.

View E.O. #20-68 here:
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/EO-20-68-Face-Coverings-protocol-Executed-1.pdf

In addition to the face-covering protocol, the Kelly administration is partnering with The Leadership Center to mobilize its alumni base, which is nearly 12,000 strong, to mobilize and lead virtual non-partisan convenings across Kansas beginning the week of November 17 and concluding by late December. The project will dramatically increase the number of local leaders, pastors, coaches, neighborhood leaders, business owners, community officials, and others to use their influence to combat the virus.

This week, Governor Kelly also approved CARES Act funding to assist a coalition of stakeholders including the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Farm Bureau, and others, to create a statewide public health campaign to begin next week. The campaign will encourage Kansans to follow the best practices, encourage voluntary testing, avoid mass gatherings, and use face-coverings.


Tuesday, November 17, 2020

11/17/20 - KDHE Amends Travel Quarantine List

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment updated their travel quarantine list today, see the information release below: 


For Immediate Release

November 17, 2020

 

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

States, countries removed

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has removed two states and three countries from its travel quarantine list: North Dakota, South Dakota, Andorra, Belgium and Czechia. Those who have travelled during the below dates, as well as those who have been on a cruise or attended any out-of-state mass gatherings with 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance and wear masks, will need to quarantine.

 

This list is effective for all persons returning to or entering Kansas on the effective dates.

 

                      Traveled to or from South Dakota between November 4 – November 17.

                      Traveled to or from Belgium and Czechia between November 4 – November 17.

                      Traveled to or from North Dakota between October 21 – November 17.

                      Traveled to or from the country of Andorra between October 21 – November 17.

                      Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.

                      Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.

 

“The removal of states from our list isn’t cause for celebration,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “We base our list on new case rates by population size and unfortunately, Kansas’ numbers are increasing significantly. Practice social distancing, wear a mask, stay home if you’re sick, and avoid large gatherings. Each one of us is responsible for our actions.”

 

Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 500 or more persons in a single room or space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals. Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.

 

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


Thursday, November 5, 2020

11/4/20 - KDHE Amends Travel Quarantine List

 

For Immediate Release

November 4, 2020

 

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

South Dakota added

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to include those who have traveled to South Dakota and the countries of Belgium and Czechia beginning today, November 4. North Dakota and the country of Andorra remain on the list as does attendance at out-of-state mass gatherings with 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance and wear masks.

 

Kansas evaluates the previous two week’s case rates by 100,000 population for states and countries. Locations with significantly higher rates – approximately 3x higher than Kansas – are added to the list. North Dakota has a two-week case rate 3.6 times higher than Kansas while South Dakota’s rate is 3.2 times Kansas. 

 

This list is effective for all persons returning to or entering Kansas on the effective dates. A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:

 

  • Travel to or from South Dakota on or after November 4.
  • Travel to or from Belgium and Czechia on or after November 4.
  • Travel to or from North Dakota on or after October 21.
  • Travel to or from the country of Andorra on or after October 21.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet)and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.

 

Travel quarantines do not prohibit travel through Kansas. People from these locations may still travel through Kansas. If this is done, KDHE recommends limited stops, wearing a mask at rest stops or when getting gas and being 6’ from others when doing so. If the destination is Kansas, they would be required to quarantine upon arrival to their destination.

 

Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 500 or more persons in a single room or space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals. Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.

 

Critical infrastructure sector employees who have travelled to these destinations should contact their local health department regarding instructions for application of these quarantine orders while working. Critical infrastructure employees, such as public health, law enforcement, food supply, etc., need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans so the local health department may allow a modified quarantine. Please note the only exemption for these quarantine mandates for critical infrastructure sector

employees is work – they are not to go any other locations outside of work.

 

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