The Framework will reopen the Kansas economy in Phases. Throughout each Phase the Governor will continue evaluating the state's progress and, if appropriate, issue a new executive order moving the statewide baseline to a new Phase. Phase One will begin May 4. Phase 1.5 will begin May 18th. Phase 2 will occur on May 22nd.
"Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas" can be found here: https://covid.ks.gov/
The State will set the regulatory baseline for Kansas local governments in each phase of this framework, allowing local governments to retain the ability to improve additional restrictions that are in the best interest of the health of their respective residents. Any specific guidelines not outlined in the Framework are the jurisdiction of each local government. The state will not force communities to reopen.
Under Executive Order 20-34, local units of government cannot be less restrictive than the Governor's plan. They may not allow businesses or activities explicitly prohibited in each phase of the Governor's plan. The Governor will issue another executive order to move the state's regulatory baseline into Phase Two when appropriate. Until then, local units of government may not move into Phase Two on their own.
Local governments do not have to apply or submit requests to the state to institute any equal or more restrictive standards. Local governments that choose not to impose any additional restrictions are required to operate within the regulatory baseline of the Governor's EO for each phase.
Mass gathering limits for each phase were determined by considering the capacity of our public health infrastructure and determining a measured gradual approach for loosening restrictions. The Governor reserves the right to loosen or strengthen these restrictions in subsequent phases based on the state's health progress.
Local governments may decide whether an individual or organization performs an essential function under the KEFF, but any individual or organization with confirmation from the State that it performed an essential function is to remain deemed to perform an essential function.
All enforcement happens at the local level. I will issue an executive order making the mass gathering, business, activity, and venue restrictions law for Phase One. It is a crime to violate the executive order, but local law enforcement is encouraged to pursue compliance before using criminal enforcement measures.
The State of Kansas will move from phase to phase as a state. Counties are able to impose equal or more restrictive orders.
Follow the rules of the county you are in at that time.
• There are three health metrics being reviewed in the Reopening Plan to best assess the status of COVID-19 in a community.
• The three health metrics being used are as follows:
- Disease spread: Measures the number of new cases by date of symptom onset in comparison to the respective state and county population.
- Hospitalizations: Number of new hospitalizations by date of admission.
- Deaths: Number of new deaths by date of death.
Here is a link to the county health officials in Kansas. https://www.kdheks.gov/olrh/.download/health_direcotry.pdf
Throughout all the phases, Kansans should maintain social distancing, practice good hygiene, remain home when sick, follow isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers, use cloth face masks when leaving their homes, and continue to clean and disinfect surfaces. These are basic public health guidelines that will slow the spread of this disease was we slowly re-open Kansas. Individuals are strongly encouraged to resume seeking medical services while following safety guidelines issued by each respective medical facility. Additional guidelines can be found in the plan, on the KDHE website, or on the CDC website.
• Phase Two will begin on May 22nd.
• Phase Three will occur approximately June 8th.
• Phase Out will occur approximately June 2nd.
Mass gatherings of more than 15 individuals are prohibited. Mass gatherings as defined as instances in which individuals are in one location and are unable to maintain a 6-foot distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together) with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.
• No. These facilities can continue to operate as they were in Phase 1.5. This means they can operate, but only for pre-scheduled appointments or online check-in. They must still comply with the social distancing and mass gathering restrictions that apply to all businesses allowed to operate.
• Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions on businesses during this phase, except as to essential functions in KEFF.
• Yes, Group classes are now allowed, up to 15 individuals. This applies to all businesses classified as fitness centers or health clubs in Phase 1.5 (Dance Studios, Martial Arts Studies, etc.) Locker rooms must be closed except as necessary to use restroom facilities.
• Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions on businesses during this phase, except as to essential functions in KEFF.
No, except for backyard swimming pools and pool facilities used for physical therapy or first-responder training.
Recreational organized sports facilities, games, and practices may operate as long as they follow mass gathering and social distancing guidelines outlined in Executive Order 20-34 AND follow guidelines established by the Kansas Recreation and Park Association posted on covid.ks.gov.
• All businesses allowed in Phase One with outlined social distancing, mass gathering, and public health restrictions.
• Nail salons, barber shops, hair salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors and other personal service businesses where close contact cannot be avoided may open, but only for pre-scheduled appointments or online check-in;
• Fitness centers and health clubs may open, but in-person group classes may not occur, and locker rooms must be closed except as necessary to use restroom facilities.
• In-person commencement or graduation ceremonies may occur with no more than 10 individuals in a room, gymnasium, or facility at one time so long as 6-foot social distancing is maintained. Outdoor drive-through graduation ceremonies during which no more than 10 individuals are in the same area outside of their vehicles at a time (i.e. school administration, graduate, family members, etc.) are allowed.
• Bars and night clubs, excluding already operating curbside and carryout services;
• Non-tribal casions
• Theaters, museums, and other indoor leisure spaces (trampoline parks, arcades, etc.)
• Community centers
• Outdoor and indoor large entertainment venues with capacity of 2,000 or more
• Fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades
• Swimming pools (other than backyard pools)
• Organized sports facilities, sports, tournaments, sports games, and sports practices, and
• Summer camps
• The new "1.5" Phase, effective May 18, 2020, continues reopening efforts while preserving some data-driven restrictions necessary to prevent community transmission of COVID-19. Hospitalizations and COVID-related deaths continue to decline, enabling us to move forward with our efforts to safely reopen Kansas. Unfortunately, the daily rate of disease spread has not shown the downward trajectory necessary to move fully into Phase 2. The Governor has indicated from the beginning that public safety must remain the top priority, which means that our reopening efforts must be driven by data, not dates. Phase 1.5 continues our transition, but with necessary caution.
• The Governor will evaluate the states disease spread, testing rates, death rates, hospitalizations, ability of state and local public health authorities to contain outbreaks and conduct contact tracing, and personal protective equipment availability when determining if the state should move to the next "Phase." Regardless of phase, the State Health Officer retains the authority to impose additional public health interventions in any area that contains an emergent and significant public health risk.
• Yes, but only for pre-scheduled appointments or online check-in. They must still comply with the social distancing and mass gathering restrictions that apply to all businesses allowed to operate.
• Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions on businesses during this phase, except as to essential functions in KEFF.
If any business, facility, or venue involves or operates more than one activity or function, each activity or function must follow any provisions of this order specifically addressing that activity or function. For example, a community center that includes an exercise room, a pool, and an event space may open the exercise room but may not open the pool or event space (regardless of capacity).
• Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions on businesses during this phase, except as to essential functions in KEFF.
• Local governments retain authority to impose equal or more stringent restrictions on businesses during this phase, except as to essential functions in KEFF.
• All businesses not listed in the following list may open in Phase One if they can follow these business restrictions:
- 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. Any additional best practices guidance from each business sector is strongly encouraged.
- AND businesses must avoid any instances in which groups of more than 10 individuals are in one location and are unable to consistently maintain 6 feet of distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity. This does not limit the total occupancy of a business, but requires that businesses limit areas and instance in which consistent physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as table, entrances, lobbies, break rooms, check out areas, etc.
• The following businesses do NOT open in this phase:
- Bars and night clubs, excluding already operating curbside and carryout services
- Casinos (non-tribal)
- Theaters, museums, and other indoor leisure spaces (trampoline parks, arcades, etc.)
- Fitness centers and gyms
- Nails salons, barber shops, hair salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors and other personal service businesses where close contact cannot be avoided.
• Yes, so long as they follow the basic provisions outlined in the plan and Executive Order 20-29:
- 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 are provided on covid.ks.gov. Any additional best practices guidance from each business sector is strongly encouraged.
- AND businesses must avoid any instances in which groups of more than 10 individuals are in one location and are unable to consistently maintain 6 feet of distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity. This does not limit the total occupancy of a business, but requires that businesses limit areas and instance in which consistent physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as tables, entrances, lobbies, break rooms, check-out areas, etc.
Yes, the Governor's plan does not place occupancy limits on restaurants. They may have more than 10 individuals in their establishment so long as they continue to follow social distancing guidelines between consumers (individual and group) AND limit areas and instances in which consistent physical distancing cannot be maintained by groups of 10 or more individuals, such as tables, entrances, lobbies, break rooms, check-out areas, etc.
Local units of government may impose additional restrictions as they deem necessary to protect the health of their communities.
Yes, you are not limited to only those that you reside with sitting at your table. You may have up to 9 people at your table so long as the table is more than 6 feet from all other tables.
Restaurants should not seat 10 strangers at a table without at least 6 feet of distance between those individuals. Executive Order 20-29 requires at least 6 feet of distance between consumers (individuals or groups). For Phase One, groups are functionally defined as groups of 10 or fewer who are not strangers. The goal of this provision in Phase One is to further limit instances in which large groups of individuals, especially strangers, stand, dance, congregate, etc. together without 6 feet of distance.
Local units of government can make the distinction. There are many factors a local unit of government can consider when making this decision, including licensing and functions of that business. If the establishment is a bar and grill where bar seating is available and it also serves food, it is allowed to operate so long as it meets social distancing guidelines. Establishments that predominantly serve alcohol, especially those with a dance floor, primarily standing room only spaces, etc., are not allowed to open in Phase One. The goal of this provision in Phase One is to further limit instances in which large groups of individuals, especially strangers, stand, dance, congregate, etc. together without 6 feet of distance.
Because the Governor's plan does not explicitly allow or disallow these services, the decision is determined by local governments. The Governor's plan does, however, specifically prohibit self-service at concession stands at organized sporting facilities until Phase 3 because they are often unregulated and run by volunteers, making it difficult to adhere to fundamental public health guidelines.
• Yes, libraries may open in Phase One so long as they adhere to social distancing and cleaning guidelines.
• Subject to further restriction by local units of government.
* Organized sports team cannot begin practicing in organized sports facilities in Phase One, per Executive Order 20-29. They may begin practicing at these facilities in Phase Two, at the same phase when organized sporting facilities are allowed. Executive Order 20-29 does not prevent individuals from engaging in outdoor activities elsewhere so long as they can maintain social distancing, except for incidental moments of incidental or infrequent contact. It also does not prohibit groups of 10 or fewer individuals from engaging in sports related activities so long as they can maintain social distancing. Local governments may impose stricter restrictions on sports activities.
• Subject to further restriction by local units of government.
• The State does not explicitly disallow playground equipment in Phase One. The decision to allow children to use playground equipment will continue to be under the purview of local governments and/or the organizations that may own this equipment. The State's only restriction is that all businesses or facilities that are allowed to operate must maintain social distancing and follow fundamental cleaning guidelines.
• Subject to further restriction by local units of government.
Yes, a church may have more than 10 people in a service at one time so long as individuals (not including those who reside together) are more than 6 feet apart (except for infrequent or incidental instance of closer proximity) and the church is following deep cleaning and other public health guidelines.
• No. In Phase One, all indoor leisure spaces are not permitted to open, which includes bowling allies. These facilities can open in Phase Two.
• Subject to further restriction by local units of government.
Yes, pet grooming is permitted in Phase One so long as they can follow social distancing guidelines and business and cleaning guidance. Pet grooming is not a "personal service" and does not require close human to human contact.
• Subject to further restriction by local units of governments.
This depends on tow factors: the venue in which the wedding reception is held AND the ability of that reception to adhere to social distancing and mass gatherings guidelines. For example, if a reception is held at a large venue or a community center, it would not be allowed because those facilities are not allowed in Phase One. Similarly, if a wedding reception cannot avoid instances in which groups of 10 or more individuals are gathered together within 6 feet, it cannot occur. In other words, if a reception cannot maintain social distancing guidelines, it cannot occur.
Subject to further restriction at local levels.
Golf courses continue to remain open in Phase One if individuals can practice social distancing guidance.
Golf tournaments are not open until Phase Two.
Subject to further restriction at local levels.
Yes, public auctions may open in Phase One so long as social distancing guidelines are maintained.
Subject to further restriction at local levels.
Yes, Funerals may continue in Phase One but are subject to the same mass gathering restrictions as other gatherings.
• Yes. Any summer camp that is licensed child care facility is allowed to operate regardless of phase. In every phase, licensed childcare facilities are unrestricted regardless of what form they take.
• Subject to further restriction by local units of government.
All in person graduations are currently prohibited in Phase One of the Ad Astra Plan under Executive Order 20-29. When the state is ready to move into Phase Two, the Governor will adjust her plan to allow graduations in Phase Two under the outlined mass gathering, social distancing, and venue restrictions of that phase. School districts who have scheduled in-person graduations any time before May 18 should reschedule these events after the state has moved to Phase Two of the Ad Astra Re-Opening plan. Virtual graduations are allowed in all phases.
Subject to further restriction by local units of government.
Executive Order 20-29 only specifically prohibits indoor leisure spaces in Phase One, which would encompass any indoor leisure elements of Zoo facilities (reptile houses, indoor habitats, etc.). It does not specifically prohibit the outdoor elements of Zoos, so long as they follow social distancing requirements, public health and cleaning guidelines, and mass gathering limits as outlined in Executive Order 20-29. Local units of government may impose additional restrictions on these facilities as they need necessary to further protect public health. Facilities should consult with their local units of government for any additional questions or concerns.
Subject to further restriction by local units of government
