Kansas is now the latest state to issue a state-wide masking policy as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in recent weeks.
During her weekly press briefing Wednesday afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly announced her latest executive order implementing the new “face-covering protocol.” The protocol comes as the state nears 130,000 overall cases with 5,863 new cases reported Wednesday.
Additionally, the governor reminded residents of the overwhelming impact on medical facilities across the state including Stormont Vail in Topeka which Kelly announced Wednesday is now at maximum capacity.
Kelly says the new protocol is similar to, but an updated version, of a previous order she signed back in July.
The governor’s protocol will allow local governments one week to develop and institute their own mask mandates.
She says if communities fail to do so, they will then fall under the guidance of the state’s protocol. Governor Kelly also stated that any city or county governments that have already enacted masking policies of their own will be exempt from the protocol.
This means mandates issued by the Emporia City Commission and Lyon County Commission will remain in effect.
With House Bill 2016 still in effect, the governor confirmed local governments can opt-out of the protocol if they so choose, however, she stated she is not concerned with that possibility.
The executive order also comes as the governor’s administration prepares to launch its public health campaign next week. The campaign will encourage Kansans to continue adhering to best health practices including mask usage, social distancing, proper hand hygene and avoiding gatherings to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
To view the governor’s press conference in its entirety visit Governor Laura Kelly’s Facebook page. Governor Kelly is scheduled to hold her next news briefing Wednesday at 4 pm on Facebook.
