Reopening Businesses
View guidance and best practices for reopening businesses from the State of Kansas and the Federal Government.
Reopening Kansas and Sedgwick County
In May, Governor Laura Kelly presented a framework to reopen the Kansas economy in phases, titled the Ad Astra Plan. The plan is used as a guide for County governments across the State to utilize for COVID-19 safety guidelines. View the Ad Astra Plan.
On Wednesday, May 27, Sedgwick County Commissioners voted to not impose additional limits and recommended that Sedgwick County businesses and residents continue following the guidance in Kansas’ COVID-19 Ad Astra plan with slight modifications.
Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas
Sedgwick County Health and Economic Recovery Plan
On May 13, the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners approved the Sedgwick County Health and Economic Recovery Plan, a set of guidelines for local businesses and organizations to reference as they reopen to the public. The plan was developed by County officials in coordination with a team of key stakeholders in business and industry sectors and includes best practices for business and industries in terms of employee and customer health and safety among additional community guidelines.
The plan is available on the Sedgwick County website and will be updated periodically. View plan.
State and local ordinances
Sedgwick County Emergency Public Health Order
On November 13th, Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns signed an Emergency Public Health Order with restrictions for the community in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The signed Emergency Public Health Order can be viewed online. On November 13th, the Sedgwick County Commission approved the order.
On November 19th, the Council of the City of Wichita approved a resolution of the Emergency Public Health Order to help the County enforce the County’s order.
The approved order took effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, November 14th and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31st. The order limits group gatherings to no more than 100 socially distanced individuals or 50% of the fire code capacity, whichever is less, but subject to individuals maintaining 6 feet of social distancing. This includes restaurants, bars and night clubs, fitness centers and health clubs, and weddings.
Additionally, the order requires all bars and nightclubs and restaurants offering in-person dining to close by 11 p.m., except for curbside and carryout services.
The order also requires individuals to wear masks or other face coverings when:
- Present in any public space where distancing of 6 feet is not possible
- In line and waiting to enter an indoor public space
- Obtaining services in the healthcare sector
- Riding public transportation or while in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle
- Employees working in any space visited by customers or members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time
Other provisions within the order include:
- Dentists, nail salons, barber shops, hair salons and tattoo parlors may only serve customers with pre-scheduled appointments or online check-in.
- Fitness centers and health clubs must close locker rooms with the exception of restroom areas.
- Fairs, festivals, carnivals and parades are prohibited.
The approved order can be found on the Sedgwick County website. A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) has also been compiled and added to the website.
Mask Mandate
- On November 18, Governor Kelly signed an executive order requiring masks in public places effective November 25 statewide. The requirement will remain in place until rescinded or until the current statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires – whichever is earlier.
Under the order, Kansans are required to wear masks when inside any public space – including their workplace – or in situations where social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Guidance regarding specific places or situations in which masks are required is outlined within the order.
Counties with their own mask orders by November 25 will be allowed to keep local rules in place. Counties without a local order by then will come under the statewide restrictions.
- Sedgwick County currently has an approved ordinance within the most recent Emergency Public Health Order, effective November 14, requiring residents to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained.
Documents and information on reopening guidelines
As you consider your next steps as a business on reopening, below are documents and updates that may be helpful.
- Opening Up America (View webpage)
- The Federal Government/CDC unveiled overall guidelines for individuals and employers for reopening.
- Safe Work Playbook (Download)
- An example of a reopening guide from a Fortune 500 manufacturing company, Lear Corporation, that demonstrates the planning many businesses have already begun.
- Local Reopening Guidelines
- Following the State's plan for reopening, Sedgwick County did not pass any additional restrictions for Sedgwick County businesses.
