Sedgwick County commissioners have voted to recommend to Kansas governor Laura Kelly and the county’s health officer that the stay-at-home orders should not be extended beyond May 3rd.
Commissioner Jim Howell said counties should be trusted to make decisions for the next steps as the coronavirus outbreak slows down, and he said he has yet to see any data that would support a need to extend the stay at home orders. He said there’s no compelling argument that continued restrictions on the business community would be helpful.
Commissioner David Dennis said the Sedgwick County Zoo and a number of businesses and organizations have already developed protocols for a return to operations, and he said the government should just provide broad guidelines on social distancing and other practices.
Commissioner Lacey Cruse was the only vote against the recommendation, saying that the county should not rush to develop guidelines over the next four days. The vote to approve the recommendations was 4-1.
Commissioners will work with the county health officer, Dr. Garold Minns, on guidelines for public gatherings and other steps to protect against the coronavirus. Governor Kelly is expected to announce a plan on Thursday for reopening the state’s economy, and county commissioners are planning a special meeting at 10 Friday morning to respond to the governor’s plan.
