Lyon County’s public health order will now continue through mid-March.
County commissioners approved extending the order during their regular action meeting Thursday morning. The extension will maintain the 45 person mass gathering limit for outdoor and indoor entertainment venues. However; exceptions may be provided to that limit if the Public Health Officer gives formal approval of a written mitigation plan.
The order also continues the county-wide mask ordinance requiring residents to wear a mask anytime they are inside, or in line to enter, any indoor public space, obtaining services from healthcare providers, waiting for or utilizing public transportation or in any public space where social distancing cannot be maintained.
For businesses, masks will be required for both employees and customers while inside of or working in any public area or areas where food is prepared or packaged for sale.
Commission Chairman Rollie Martin says the commission did not feel the need to make an abundance of changes to the current order as it appears to be the most effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 to this point.
The only real change to the order is the exclusion of plastic masks under the definition of face coverings. Commission Chair Rollie Martin says plastic masks are not an effective means of mitigation against the COVID-19 virus and while the county has not seen any major issues with the wearing of plastic masks, the commission felt it pertinent to make the distinction.
The county health order is in effect now until Mar. 11.
In other business Thursday, commissioners also approved a minor plat within the Emporia Metropolitan Planning area and rezoning request both for property located at 1800 Road G. The requests are for the relocation of a local trucking business to the property. Additional details on this move are unavailable at this time.
Foster explains while the property is located inside of the city’s Metropolitan area it is outside of the city limits which is why both requests required county approval.
Commissioners also approved requests from both the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office for the substitution of bids for new vehicle purchases and the Lyon County Emergency Communication Center to accept a bid for the purchase of new dispatch furniture consoles.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its regular action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
