Sedgwick County’s local health officer has added provisions to the county’s health order for the coronavirus pandemic.  The new provisions clarify issues related to youth sports activities.

Youth sports are not considered mass gatherings under the health order but the provisions from Dr. Garold Minns state that attendance and related activities should be limited:

• For indoor single-court or single-playing area rooms and outdoor facilities there can be a maximum of two attendees per participant. All persons must exit the area once the event is over.

• For indoor multi-court or multi-playing area rooms, participants are allowed a maximum of one attendee. Additionally, these facilities must limit the total courts or playing space to one-half or less of the courts or playing areas, for instance, where feasible utilizing every other court. Again, all persons must exit the area once the event is over.

The health order also says people who are actively speaking to an audience at events such as a church service, funeral or open public meeting doe not have to wear a mask as long as there is six feet of social distancing or separation by a physical barrier.   Masks are still encouraged at these events.

Public protest events would also be exempt from mass gatherings under the health order, if they take place outdoors on public property.

Large entertainment venues may not host events in excess of the mass gathering limits unless the health officer approves a written plan from the venue.  Plans must be submitted to Dr. Minns with proper advance notice for him to review.

The health order is in effect from Thursday, December 10th through Saturday, January 9th.   The order requires masks in public places and limits mass gatherings to 25 people.