Reopening Businesses
View guidance and best practices for reopening businesses from the State of Kansas and the Federal Government.
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:
Other provisions within the order include:
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
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.