Gov. Laura Kelly has presented her detailed framework for a phased-in approach to begin reopening the state. Currently, Douglas County has aligned with the Governor’s plan, which is currently in Phase 3. And Local Health Officer Dr. Thomas Marcellino has extended Phase 3 until further notice. A public health order updated Nov. 20 includes a mass gathering limit of 10.
Other changes include:
- An indoor capacity limit of 100 people or 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load – whichever is lower – in entertainment venues, recreational facilities, including gyms and fitness and recreation centers, and restaurants, bars and all other such businesses serving food and/or drink indoors, including public, private or membership-only businesses.
- The venues and establishments serving food and drink must close their premises no later than 10 p.m., including all outside seating areas and patios to customers.
- Carryout, curbside, drive-through or off-premise delivery of food is allowed after 10 p.m., but not alcoholic beverages.
Anyone with questions about a public health order can email phorders@ldchealth.org .
Here are some other FAQs and our guidance for "Smart and Safe: Reopening Douglas County"
What phase are we in? How long will it last?
- Phase 3 began on June 8. Due to the increase in recent cases, we have remained in Phase 3 until further notice. Local decisions about moving beyond Phase 3 to the scheduled Phase Out will depend on measures of local and statewide rates of transmission, hospitalizations and public health system capacity. Please visit LDCHealth.org/coronavirus and douglascountyks.org/coronavirus for information about the current phase and guidelines.
Can I gather in large groups now that the stay-at-home order is lifted? - Each phase has a limit on how many people can gather in one space at a time. For Phase 3, as of Nov. 20 mass gatherings of more people than 10 people are prohibited. 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).
Guidance for individuals
* 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 moment of closer proximity.
* Social gatherings: Avoid socializing in person with groups of more than 10 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 or closer proximity (e.g., receptions, trade shows).
Are there specific recommendations for Thanksgiving or holiday gatherings?
- Travel and gatherings of people outside your household can increase the chance of contracting and spreading COVID-19. The CDC has recommended people stay home and celebrate with people in their own household. Douglas County Unified Command leaders are also urging people to limit their social gatherings to help limit the spread of the virus. However, you can view guidance at LDCHealth.org/COVIDtravel about weighing risks for the holidays.
What does the Nov. 20 health order and mass gathering limit of 10 mean for weddings and funerals?
- A religious activity, such as a religious wedding ceremony or funeral, is exempt from restrictions on attendants (mass gathering, 50% capacity) but is still subject to the mask mandate and social distance requirements.
- A wedding reception or civil wedding ceremony is limited to 10 people.
- A fundraiser or non-religious activity at a church is limited to 10 people.
Are masks required in gyms and fitness centers at all times?
- Yes, the public health order requires people older than 5 to wear masks in all indoor public spaces — except when eating, drinking, swimming or if they have a medical condition that prevents it — and outdoor public spaces when unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a mask during an indoor exercise, consider not participating in that activity during the pandemic.
How can plans for 10,000 fans outdoors or 2,500 indoors at an athletic venue comply with the current mass gathering limit?
- We have received questions about plans for Kansas Athletics to allow limited attendance — including 10,000 fans at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and 2,500 fans indoors at Allen Fieldhouse — at sporting events and how this complies with the current mass gathering limit. Under Phase 3 of the Smart & Safe Reopening Douglas County plan, mass gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited. 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 those who reside together — with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.
Kansas Athletics has detailed plans in place to comply with the mass gathering limit, including mandatory mask wearing and measures in place to allow for proper social distancing, especially to avoid opportunities for a crowd of more than 10 people to congregate.
What factors into recommendations for leaders of schools, businesses or organizations if they have a positive COVID-19 case and potential close contacts?
- Our LDCPH staff, including our disease investigators, work daily with community members to field questions and pass along the best guidance we have to help them work to prevent COVID-19 and if needed to respond and help manage levels of exposure if they do have a case. This is particularly important as we seek to help local schools function as safely as possible during the pandemic.
Aside from the Smart and Safe School Reopening Guidance, when we do advise schools, workplaces or other organizations on the best ways to respond to having a positive case, we work closely with the organization to examine and discuss the specific details of their situation and how to best move forward. This includes identifying the potential number of exposed close contacts, their potential risk of transmission and how widespread the potential transmission could be, including likelihood of developing into an outbreak.
For example, if disease investigators determine a positive case could have potentially exposed a large number of close contacts through the organization, we might recommend substantial measures until the close contacts get beyond the 14-day incubation period of the virus. However, if we determine a positive case had a more limited circle of close contacts due to the person’s role or the mitigation efforts of the organization, it’s less likely we would recommend a broad closure of the building or business.
What businesses are still closed in Phase 3?
- All businesses, activities and venues, including swimming pools, may open if they can maintain at least six feet of social distance between individuals or groups, follow fundamental cleaning and public health practices, and avoid instances in which the mass gathering limit is exceeded and individuals are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity. Other restrictions:
- An indoor capacity limit of 100 people or 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load – whichever is lower – in entertainment venues, recreational facilities, including gyms and fitness and recreation centers, and restaurants, bars and all other such businesses serving food and/or drink indoors, including public, private or membership-only businesses.
- The venues and establishments serving food and drink must close their premises no later than 10 p.m., including all outside seating areas and patios to customers.
- Carryout, curbside, drive-through or off-premise delivery of food is allowed after 10 p.m., but not alcoholic beverages.
Are restaurants able to reopen for dine-in business?
- Restaurants were able to reopen for dine-in business, with some restrictions, beginning Monday, May 18. Please see the guidance for more details. Under the current public health order, restaurants and bars with a liquor license are required to cease in-house dining by 10 p.m. and shall close their premises, including all outside seating areas or patios. Restaurants and bars serving alcohol may conduct carry-out, curbside and off-premises delivery of food items only after midnight. There shall be no carry-out, curbside or off-premises delivery of alcoholic beverages after 10 p.m.
What happens if a business violates the public health order requirements?
An intentional violation of a public health order carries a civil penalty of up to $2,500, and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office makes decisions on pursuing prosecution of such complaints. Anyone with questions or a complaint about compliance with a public health order can email phorders@ldchealth.org, where Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health staff will follow up on specific complaints.
Is self-serve food and beverage allowed?
- Self-serve food and drinks are allowed, however, we recommend keeping them closed as long as feasible or having a staff member serve customers instead of customers serving themselves. The current public health order prohibits buffet service in restaurants.
Are farm wineries allowed to open for on-premises consumption?
- Beginning on Monday May 18, farm wineries may open for operations with the following recommendations:
- Adhere to the social distancing guidelines of 6 feet of distance between parties, and the mass gathering limit (no more than 10 people in an indoor space, and groups of no more than 10). It is also recommended that all tastings occur outdoors. Businesses should post signage notifying the public of the rules. See additional recommendations and best practices outlined for restaurants.
When will pools reopen?
Pools are allowed to open beginning in Phase 3, with restrictions on how many people can be in the space at one time that are in accordance with the mass gathering restrictions of each phase, as well as measures to encourage social distancing.
What type of mask should I wear? What if I need a mask but don’t have one?
For the general public, a cloth face covering is recommended in all businesses and public places. Please see CDC guidance on making and wearing a cloth mask. Please reserve medical-grade surgical masks and N95 masks for healthcare workers. Anyone who needs a mask can request one from the United Way at http://rhvc.galaxydigital.com/cloth-masks/
Are employees required to wear masks at work?
All businesses or organizations in Douglas County must require all employees, customers, visitors, members, or members of the public to wear a mask or other face covering when:
- Employees are working in any space visited by customers or members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
- Employees are working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;
- Employees are working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
- Customers, members, visitors, or members of the public are in a facility managed by the business or organization; or
- Employees are in any room or enclosed area where other people (except for individuals who reside together) are present and are unable to maintain a 6-foot distance except for infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.
Should I plan a large event?
The limit and the phase that we are in will depend on local and statewide rates of transmission, hospitalizations, and public health system capacity. It is wise to assume that it will be difficult to plan large events with certainty in coming months.
If I live in one county and work in another, which guidance should I follow?
Because local health orders are designed based on the current level of exposure of COVID-19 in a county, in general, you should follow the guidance from your home county. For example, if there is a stay-at-home order in your home county, but not the county where you work, you should continue to follow the stay-at-home order. However, if your place of work is open and your home county’s rules allow you to go to work, your place of work may be subject to local rules and guidelines, which you should follow while working there.
Are dental offices allowed to open for non-emergency procedures?
Dental offices may open, as long as they have sufficient PPE to safely perform procedures and ensure protection for themselves and their patients. Dental offices may choose to offer emergency services only if they feel that is the most appropriate course of action.