LAWRENCE – A task force under Douglas County’s Unified Command is examining the details of Gov. Laura Kelly’s Re-Opening Plan, and Unified Command leaders plan to make announcements on any additional local health orders by noon Sunday, May 3.
As part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor announced her plan in a statewide address Thursday evening for a phased-in approach to begin allowing some businesses to reopen once her stay-home order expires at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
“The Governor’s plan enables counties to be more restrictive than the executive orders she has issued. We are reviewing the Governor’s orders, and we will make decisions on if there are specialized areas where we would like to issue more restrictive local measures. We will clearly define that before Monday for business owners and the public,” said Douglas County Health Officer Dr. Thomas Marcellino. “Like the Governor’s plan outlines, our timeline for advancing in phases is dependent on Douglas County residents cooperating with restrictions that are still in place and practicing good social-distancing measures.”
Through April 30, 49 residents of Douglas County have tested positive for COVID-19 since its first lab-confirmed case on March 16, and residents have lived under several local health orders and then the statewide stay-home order that initially took effect March 30.
“We appreciate the efforts of the community these past few weeks to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, and while these reopening steps are welcome, continuing to be vigilant is important now more than ever,” said Dan Partridge, Director of Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.
If any local health orders are issued by noon Sunday, they will be posted at douglascountyks.org/coronavirus and ldchealth.org/coronavirus for Douglas County community members and business owners to review for specific information.
The reopening task force includes Unified Command leaders representing Douglas County, City of Lawrence, LMH Health and Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, as well as the University of Kansas, The Chamber of Lawrence, Lawrence Public Schools and Douglas County Emergency Management.