(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 22, 2020) Per authority through Kansas State Statute 65-119, the Local Health Officer, Julie Gibbs, has issued a revision to the previous order banning public gatherings of more than 10 people in Riley County. The revised order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until at least April 4, 2020.
Read the Order
Information to help provide clarity regarding the intention and specific details of the order is available in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the Riley County Health Department website at http://www.rileycountyks.gov/1857/Novel-Coronavirus-2019-nCoV
“We are doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of people in Riley County. Everyone has a part to play and the time to take action is now,” said Julie Gibbs, Local Health Officer.
All public gatherings of more than 10 people, whether indoors or outdoors, in Riley County remain prohibited unless otherwise exempted below. This second order prohibiting public gatherings shall remain in effect until at least April 4, 2020.
- Gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, tattoo shops, massage therapy businesses, barber shops, nail and hair salons, and other business types that cannot be expected to maintain proper social distancing between their staff and customers. Such businesses that offer these services within a building shall cease offering these services immediately.
- Public or community playground equipment shall not be used during the term of this second order.
- Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops shall not provide dine in seating access to the public. Lawful drive-thru, carry-out/curbside service, and delivery may be provided.
The following gatherings remain exempt from this second order, unless otherwise specified below. Proper “social distancing” shall be maintained at all times under then-existing CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) guidelines.
- A non-commercial and lawful gathering entirely indoors and within a private living space.
- Licensed and lawfully operated medical service provider offices, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
- This specific exemption includes, but is not limited to veterinary clinics, chiropractic clinics, physical therapy clinics, optometrists’ offices and dentist offices.
- The above businesses shall follow applicable CDC or KDHE.
- Grocery and/or convenience stores and food pantries.
- Local, state or federal governmental operations, in public buildings.
- Operations at or within commercial and retail spaces, whether indoors or outdoors.
- Religious gatherings, funerals, memorial services, and weddings.
- Public park spaces and trails.
- Licensed and lawfully operated (under Kansas statutes and all Riley County Health Department and KDHE standards) child care facility provided:
- Every child must be screened upon entry and again prior to leaving. The temperature check cannot be taken within four (4) hours after a fever reducing medication was given.
- The child care facility must present, upon request of the Local Health Officer, the completed screening form for each child in their facility. Failure to comply will result in immediate closure of the facility by the Local Health Officer.
- This licensed child care facility exemption will not go into effect until Monday, March 23rd, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
Any person violating any provision of this order or failing to comply with any of the above requirements shall be fined, upon conviction, up to $100 for each offense, pursuant to K.S.A. 65-127.
“We ask everyone to step up and help each other. Please check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and the most vulnerable. Please only purchase the supplies that you need, so that others can be equally prepared,” said Gibbs.
Public updates will be provided daily on KMAN Radio AM 1350 at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. as well as on the RCHD Facebook Page at 4:15 p.m. facebook.com/rileycountyhealthdepartment.
For more information about Riley County’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat, visit https://www.rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus, follow RCHD on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Rileycountyhealthdepartment/ and Twitter @RileyCoHealth.