County officials working on plans to reopen economy

Cloud County officials are finalizing a plan for the cautious reopening of the economy should Governor Laura Kelly allow her stay-at-home order to expire on schedule at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
Emergency Preparedness/Safety director James Quillen met with the Cloud County board of commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday to outline the first phase of the plan for reopening.
Kelly has indicated that she will be issuing guidelines for the reopening of the economy to go into effect on May 4. She issued an executive order extending the stay-at-home order on April 16 to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 120 Kansans.
Quillen informed the commissioners that phase one of the plan to reopen in the county would be to return to guidelines set in place by a local resolution that was signed by Cloud County Health Officer Dr. Dorothy Breault and Cloud County Health Department administrator Brandi Bray on March 19.
The resolution restricts some gatherings and places restrictions on some businesses, such as restaurants.
All public and private gatherings, both indoor and outdoor, are limited to 10 people or less. The prohibition includes, but is not limited to, all gatherings at auditoriums, theaters, museums, arenas, conference rooms, meeting halls, taverns, health and fitness centers, recreation centers and licensed pools.
The 10 persons or less provision does not apply to:
• Meetings or proceedings of governing bodies of the county and the cities located therein;
• Operations of the United States government;
• Religious gatherings, as long as attendees engage in appropriate social distancing;
• Funeral or memorial services or ceremonies;
• Childcare locations, residential care centers, and group homes;
• Hotels and motels;
• Military and National Guard facilities;
• Law enforcement, jail or correctional facilities;
• Any facility being used as part of a government or community response to a natural disaster;
• Food pantries and shelter facilities, including day centers, for individuals and families;
• Apartment or other multi-family residential buildings, except that the prohibition shall apply to any non-residential facilities, rooms, or operations in such buildings;
• Hospitals, medical facilities, and pharmacies;
• Long-term care and assisted living facilities;
• Retail food establishments (grocery stores, convenience stores);
• Office spaces and government service counters;
• Manufacturing, processing, distribution and production facilities;
• Public transportation;
• Utility facilities;
• Private business operations
A prohibited public gathering also does not apply to any non-commercial and lawful gathering entirely indoors and within a private living space.
For all gatherings of people, it is strongly encouraged that everyone follow the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and federal, state and local public health officials and private medical providers.
Under the guidelines set in place by the local resolution, all restaurants, bars, taverns, dining facilities, clubs (private or public membership), and cafes were closed to dine-in operations. All such establishments shall be limited to curbside pickup, carry out, drive-thru or delivery.
Any sheriff, deputy sheriff or other law enforcement officer of the state is able to assist in the execution and enforcement of this order.
This order may be supplemented or modified as required for the effective and efficient management and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cloud County by further order or direction of the Cloud County commission or by Dr. Breault.
Any business forcibly closed by the governor's stay-at-home order because it did not perform an essential function identified in the Kansas Essential Functions Framework (KEFF) would be allowed to reopen in phase one, as long as those businesses can consistently maintain a six foot working distance and follow other safety protocols, such as disinfecting surfaces, wearing masks, etc.
Quillen told the commissioners that the first phase of the plan for reopening would be in effect for a two-week period after the governor's stay-at-home order expires.
County officials will monitor the effects of reopening.
The county's Emergency Support Function and Public Health & Medical team will meet later this week to develop phase two of the plan, which Quillen expects would include reopening dining facilities at limited occupancy levels.