Geary County Health Officer Tammy Von Busch has issued a 30-day Stay at Home Order to help enforce more social distancing and reduce the spread of Coronavirus-19. The order is effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday ( March 28 ).
Von Busch told a press conference at the Junction City Municipal Court that the order will be a little more restrictive than past measures. She referred to an earlier order by Governor Laura Kelly...20-15. "If you are not designated as a Kansas essential functions framework you're going to be closed down. " Von Busch added you can look up the Governor's executive order on that topic. "So essentially with that churches do not fall into that framework so effective at midnight tonight ( 12:01 a.m. Saturday ) this order is going into effect which means churches will no longer be allowed to meet. If you have a congregation of 10 or less you will be allowed to have your services with appropriate social distancing."
Under the order people are directed to stay at home and leave their residence only to perform essential activities. They can range from tasks essential to their health and safety of their family or household members, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a healthcare professional, groceries and to perform work providing essential projects and services at an essential business. Those can range from grocery stores and farming to gas stations, banks and financial institutions.
Geary County Sheriff Daniel Jackson said everyone in the community needs to practice social distancing and follow the direction from the county health officer. "We hope that everyone voluntarily complies with the Health Department orders but in the event that businesses or individuals choose to ignore the Health Department orders there are enforcement actions that we can and will utilize."
Jackson added that there activities you can undertake. "Household members that live together can all be on one boat out at the lake or just boating, but it would not be okay for four or five different household groups to tie their boats and just hang out and interact socially."
In the communities playground equipment will be closed. Junction City Police Chief John Lamb noted that officers will be monitor basketball courts to encourage the public not to use them. It would be difficult to practice social distancing while playing basketball.