Emporia Mayor Danny Giefer is asking residents to stay at home if possible to slow down the spread of coronavirus.
Giefer announced his request, which is not an order, Tuesday morning. He says his request is consistent with recent advice from medical experts at the state and federal levels.
Giefer is asking residents to limit their dealings to essential activities like buying food and medicines or getting gas, and he asks residents to follow social distancing guidelines of being at least six feet apart for at least 10 minutes as well as frequently washing hands for at least 20 seconds each time. He encouraged residents to be physically active while coronavirus is in Kansas.
Giefer reiterates the request is exactly that, a request and not an order.
The city has already closed all offices to the public as well as facilities like the David Traylor Zoo, Emporia Animal Shelter, Emporia Public Library, Lee Beran Recreation Center and White Auditorium. City offices are open for services through email or phone. The city has also suspended all municipal water and sewer utility shut-offs, although Giefer says residents are still responsible for paying their city bills.
Discussions about a countywide shelter-in-place order have been taking place this week. If Lyon County decides to tell residents to stay at home, it will not enact an order unless Governor Laura Kelly issues directives to counties towards that end. Any order will let residents continue their essential duties and purchases as they currently are. A decision from the governor is possible this week, and during a news conference Monday, Gov. Kelly said a statewide shelter-in-place order is being considered.
We’ll keep you updated on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
