Guidance Regarding Implementation Through Phase 3 of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas”

• Kansas
• Business
• Employment
• Miscellaneous

Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration, as well as officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that most local communities consider moving into Phase 3 of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” on Monday, June 8, as scheduled. The new emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means state-level advice to counties regarding moving into Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. Further, local governments retain authority to impose more stringent restrictions on businesses, except as to essential functions in the Kansas Essential Function Framework. Businesses should check for any additional city or county restrictions.

Key Phase 3 highlights for communities:

• Mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals are not recommended.

• All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and are recommended to follow all public health guidelines.

• On-site staffing has no recommended restrictions.

• Nonessential travel may resume, provided travelers follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas.

Information on Phase 2: Phase 2 went into effect on May 22, 2020 and relaxed restrictions of phase 1.5 by providing the following, in the absence of countervailing city or county restrictions,

• State-owned-and-operated casinos may open if they comply with a re-opening plan approved by the Department of Health and Environment.

• Fitness centers and health clubs may open, including in-person group classes, but locker rooms must be closed except as necessary to allow use of restroom facilities.

• In-person commencement or graduation ceremonies may occur with no more than 15 individuals in a room, gymnasium, or facility at one time. Outdoor drive-through graduation ceremonies during which no more than 15 individuals are in the same area outside of their vehicles at a time are allowed.

• Community centers may open, except that swimming pools must remain closed.

• Recreational, youth, or other non-professional organized sports facilities, sports tournaments, sports games, and sports practices may open or occur if they follow guidelines established by the Department of Health and Environment in consultation with the Kansas Recreation & Park Association.

• The order lists specific types of businesses that must remain closed to the public; all other businesses are permitted to open so long as they comply with certain restrictions related to social distancing and fundamental cleaning and public health practices.

• The following establishments and activities are not permitted to open in phase 2:

• Bars and night clubs, excluding already operating curbside and carryout services.

• Large entertainment venues with capacity of 2,000 or more.

• Fairs, festivals & parades.

• Swimming pools (other than backyard pools or pools being used for physical therapy or first responder training).

• Summer camps.

• Information on Phase 1.5: Phase 1.5 went into effect on May 18, 2020 and relaxed restrictions of phase 1 by providing the following, in the absence of countervailing city or county 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-ins.

• 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 allow use of restroom facilities.

• In-person commencement or graduation ceremonies may occur with no more than 10 individuals (i.e. school administration, graduate, family members, etc.) in a room, gymnasium, or facility at one time. Outdoor drive-through graduation ceremonies during which no more than 10 individuals are in the same area outside of their vehicles at a time are allowed.

• Information on Phase 1: Phase 1 went into effect on May 4, 2020 and provided a list of specific types of businesses that must remain closed to the public. In the absence of countervailing city or county restrictions, phase 1 allowed all businesses not listed to open so long as they comply with certain restrictions related to social distancing and fundamental cleaning and public health practices.

• The following establishments and activities were not permitted to open in phase 1:

• 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.

• Nail salons, barber shops, hair salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors and other personal service businesses where close contact cannot be avoided.

• Community centers.

• Large entertainment venues with capacity of 2,000 or more.

• Fairs, festivals, parades, & graduations.

• Public swimming pools.

• Organized sports facilities.

• Summer camps.

Government or Lead Agency

Kansas Governor’s Office

Dates Available

Effective June 8

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

N/A

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

For more information, contact the Office of the Governor at 785-296-3232.

List of Additional Information

The press release can be found here.

More information can be found here and here.

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.