Marion County Health Department issues a new Public Health Order effective tomorrow morning

Marion County Emergency Public Health Order 20200323

REFERENCE: KSA 65-119 and KSA 65-129b

ORDER:

WHEREAS the Local Health Officer is authorized and required, pursuant to KSA 65-119 and KSA 65-129b to immediately exercise and maintain supervision over known or suspected cases of any infectious or contagious disease during its continuance, and to issue orders seeing that all such cases are properly handled and that the provisions of the Kansas public health laws as to isolation, quarantine, and disinfection are duly enforced: and

WHEREAS, the Local Health Officer is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and is authorized to prohibit public gatherings when necessary for the control of any and all infectious or contagious diseases, pursuant to KSA 65-129b; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Kansas found that a disaster occurred or the threat thereof was imminent within Marion County, Kansas as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the confirmed outbreak and person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in the United States and Kansas, and

WHEREAS, COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person-to-person and may result in severe illness or death, has been confirmed in Kansas resulting in severe illness and at least two deaths to date in Kansas: and

WHEREAS, such conditions endanger health, safety and welfare of persons and property within the border of Marion County Kansas; and

WHEREAS, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Marion County Local Health Officer, all recommend implementation of community mitigation strategies to increase containment of the virus, including cancellation of large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings: and

WHEREAS, the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 and the resulting epidemic in Kansas and Marion County continue to threaten the life and health of our citizens and visitors as well as the economy and remains a public disaster affecting life, health, property and the public peace.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER, pursuant to the above authorities, that:

1. All large public gatherings of people in the County are prohibited. Large public gatherings are those with more than ten (10) people in attendance or anticipated to attend, both indoor and outdoor, except for governmental functions, judicial functions, and all deemed essential industries as defined by US Homeland Security.

2. Religious services, funerals, and memorial services, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, are authorized to have more than ten (10) people in attendance but must ensure appropriate social distancing of at least 6 feet between non-cohabiting members.

3. All restaurants, dining facilities, bars, taverns, clubs, auditoriums, bowling alleys, fitness centers, swimming pools, and any public gathering locations or special events in Marion County, Kansas are hereby ordered closed to the public effective at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, until April 07, 2020, except that any such establishment may continue to

provide carryout, drive-through, and delivery food and beverage services. In all areas, establishments must follow the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal, state, and local public health officials for social distancing and infection control measures.

4. This order may be supplanted or modified as required for the effective and efficient management and control of the Coronavirus epidemic in the County by further order or direction of the Marion County Board of Public Health or by the Marion County Local Health Officer.

IT IS SO ORDERED THIS 23rd DAY OF MARCH 2020 effective at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, until April 7, 2020.

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