Governor Laura Kelly has signed a new executive order designed to help the state’s health care system fight Covid-19 across the state.

“Our health care facilities need as much flexibility as possible as we approach our project peak infection rate in the coming days to ensure our hospitals do not become overwhelmed.” says Kelly.

The measure temporarily waives doctor supervision or collaboration requirements for certain medical licensees who are assisting in the response to Covid-19.  It applies to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Physician’s Assistants, and Licensed Practical Nurses.

The order will also allow Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical nurses who have allowed their license to expire in the past five years, such as retirees, to temporarily go to work to assist in the fight against Covid-19.

It will also allow students who are enrolled in programs to become licensed health care workers like nurses, or doctors, to volunteer or work at a medical facility in any role deemed appropriate to help the facility’s response to Covid-19.  The order also protects health care providers assisting the state in fighting Covid-19 are covered by the liability protections of the Kansas Emergency Management Act.

The governor also spoke about efforts to restart the economy.  Kelly says she has spoken with business groups in Kansas as well as regionally.

She says they all say their number one priority in the health and safety of their employees and customers.  Kelly says the effort to restart the economy needs to be a regional effort involving surrounding states and cities.

The governor says the first priority is make sure they have the testing capabilities, that hospitals have the bed capacity and resources they need, and that they have the ability to track and closely monitor the virus spread across the region.  She says over the course of the next week they will be developing the plans for opening the regional economy back up in the safest ways possible.