Lyon County’s coronavirus health order has been extended with one major policy adjustment.
Following a 2-0 vote by Lyon County commissioners with Dan Slater absent Thursday, the order is now in place until Nov. 12. The 45-person mass gathering limit, in place since early summer for indoor gatherings, has been replaced. There is now a 2,000-person limit for both inside and outside gatherings, provided groups of up to 10 people can socially distance from other groups of up to 10 people and all can practice hand hygiene measures as recommended by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. People within the 10-person-maximum groups are encouraged to social distance but that is not required. County Commission Chair Rollie Martin says this is a better fit for Lyon County than the previous order.
Gatherings that may exceed the 2,000-person maximum can approach Lyon County Health Officer Renee Hively for an exemption if they submit a written plan for events or activities. And County Commissioner Scott Briggs says much smaller gatherings may be the rule of the day, depending on the available space.
Reaction from Lyon County Public Health is pending at this time, but on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Thursday, Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern had been hoping the county would add a mask mandate, not increase the mass gathering limit.
As had been the case with the earlier order, commissioners are strongly recommending the use of masks but are not mandating their use outside the Emporia city limits — after Emporia city commissioners extended the mask mandate for city residents during their action meeting Wednesday. The order also continues the previous social distancing guidance of at least six feet for individuals.
In separate news related to the county’s COVID-19 response, both Commissioners Rollie Martin and Scott Briggs expressed budgetary concerns moving into 2021 and the need for the county to begin planning now for possible belt-tightening later. So far, the county has spent over $200,000 for personal protective equipment and other needs with over $300,000 in more expenditures possible through the end of the year. Both commissioners said the federal CARES Act funding will likely disappear effective Jan. 1, meaning Lyon County Public Health expenses for the COVID-19 recovery effort will no longer be reimbursed. Both Martin and Briggs said it’s time to plan ahead and partner with Lyon County Public Health and Newman Regional Health for a plan moving into next year. Martin also said the county will need to find as many budget efficiencies as possible, given the coronavirus response costs to the county.
Briggs will join KVOE’s 8:05 am newscast Friday with more information about the health order.
