Reopening Businesses

Reopening Kansas and Sedgwick County

On Tuesday, May 26, Governor Kelly announced a removal of the Ad Astra plan and instead noted the plan is now a guide for County governments across the State to utilize for COVID-19 safety guidelines. View the updated 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.

The Commissioners modified the definition of public gatherings to mean “persons commonly known to one another” and allowed gatherings of up to 20 individuals rather than the 15 outlined in phase two of Kansas’ Ad Astra plan. Sedgwick County Commissioners recommended following the Ad Astra plan, but stated that adherence to the plan will not be enforced.

Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas

• Executive Summary (PDF)
• Detailed Framework (PDF)
• Business Guidance
• FAQs (PDF)

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 July 21, 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 July 22, the Sedgwick County Commission approved the order with several amendments, which can be viewed online as well.

The approved order took effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 24 and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 21, a revision from Dr. Minns’ order which was to apply until September 9. The order limits group gatherings to no more than 15 individuals. Groups of individuals must be located at least 6 feet away from other groups. Weddings and other activities can include as many participants as long as there are less than 2,000 people in attendance and each group of 15 people is separated from the next group by six feet.

Additionally, the order requires all bars and nightclubs to close, except for curbside and carryout services. During yesterday’s meeting, the Commission also removed a provision that required restaurants serving alcohol to close at midnight. The Commission also removed municipal swimming pools from the order.

Other provisions within the order include:

• The cancellation of fairs, parades and festivals
• No more than 2,000 people in a single venue during an event
• Employees and customers over 11 years of age are required to wear a face covering in most businesses and other public spaces when six feet of separation cannot be maintained.

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 July 2, Governor Kelly signed an executive order requiring masks in public places effective July 3. 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.
• Following the Governor's executive order, the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County both approved ordinances requiring residents to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained.
  • City of Wichita
    • View frequently asked questions regarding the City's mask requirements in public places with exemptions through August 11.
    • The City provided templates for businesses to post. Download templates.
  • Sedgwick County
    • Health Office Dr. Garold Minns signed a public health order through August 9 requiring masks with exemptions and limiting gathering to no more than 45 individuals also with exemptions. Learn more.
    • View resources for businesses to communicate to customers provided by the County.

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.