The Lee Beran Recreation Center will be closing to the public effective Tuesday as part of precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The Emporia Recreation Commission voted unanimously to approve the closure during their March meeting Monday evening. The center will remain closed until Apr. 3 at the earliest at which time a review of the situation will take place.
According to Emporia Recreation Commission Director Tom McEvoy Rec staff decided this was the best course of action during a series of recent meetings on the matter. He says the general consensus was by remaining open they could be sending a dangerous invitation to local residents.
While the center will be closed to the general public, McEvoy says staff will continue to work and a “deep clean” of the facility will be taking place. The recreation commission will also continue to offer programming through new and innovative means including Facebook Live fitness classes, parent/child soccer drills, DIY crafts for children and more. For more information visit the Emporia Recreation Commission’s Facebook page.
Separately on Monday, Newman Regional Health chose to increase recent visitation restrictions. Visitation hours will still be from 10 am to 6 pm, however, visitors will now have to enter the hospital from Entrance F located on the east side of the hospital.
Visitors will need to complete a verbal health screening with hospital security before receiving further direction. Visitors for inpatients, the outpatient Clinical Decision Unit, Emergency Room and Express
Care will be allowed only under special circumstances and will be limited to immediate family only.
As of Monday, there will be no visitors allowed in the Same Day Surgery pre-operative area or Operating Room and Cath Lab recovery areas. The hospital is allowing one visitor to remain in the Same Day Surgery or Cath Lab waiting areas only after a successful verbal health screening has been administered.
Additionally, only one person will be permitted to accompany a patient for outpatient clinic or hospital appointments after completing a successful verbal health screening at Registration.
Sunday, the hospital announced a series of closures within the facility along with the restrictions. This includes the snack bar and Gift Shoppe as well as the Fiscal Services and Billing Office.
Monday the hospital closed all volunteer information desks until further notice. The hospital has placed phones at each of the desks which may be used to call the switchboard for information or directions.
Newman Regional Health CEO Bob Wright will be joining KVOE’s Morning Show broadcast at 6:40 am Tuesday to offer additional insight and perspective on the situation.
For more information visit NewmanRH.org or call 620-343-2376. For a complete list of restriction changes from day-to-day click here.
