Gov. Kelly issues stay-home order, closes schools

Gov. Laura Kelly announced Saturday, March 28, 2020, the signing of a temporary statewide stay-home directive excluding essential activities and taking effect on Monday, March 30, in response to escalation of coronavirus cases in Kansas.

Gov. Kelly said the executive order to suspend activities recognized the capacity of COVID-19 infection to escalate and a key role the public could play in restraining it by limiting interaction among people. She said the caseload in Kansas could surge from the current level of at least 261 to as many as 900 within a week. Kansas also recorded its fifth death from the virus.

The order will remain in place until April 19 and won’t be lifted until consistent evidence of a declining infection rate is in hand, she said.

It does permit exceptions that include leaving the home for reasons of personal health or safety, to secure supplies or services and for outdoor activities.

More than half the state’s population already was under a stay-at-home order issued by county health officials. The governor said she left the decision up to counties for as long as possible.

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Under the statewide order, Kansans must remain at home unless going to work to perform an essential function, obtaining food or medicine, seeking medical care, providing care for children, pets, family or someone who is vulnerable, or exercising outdoors while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Read Gov. Kelly's other executive orders here.