For Immediate Release:
June 19, 2020
Local Health Officer Crystal VanHoutan has announced today that Jefferson County will move into the Phase Out- Ad Astra Phase effective 12:01 am on June 22, 2020.
Jefferson County Health Officials will not impose additional limits, based on the current conditions in Jefferson County. Jefferson County will strongly recommend that Jefferson County residents and businesses continue following the public health guidance recommendations from Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which can be found at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/ and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
1. The new recommendation will remove the mass gathering limits.
• Public Health will continue to recommend social distancing when appropriate and when unable to social distance, please wear a mask in public.
• Individuals should adhere to personal hygiene guidelines and remain home when sick.
• Employers should continue to follow any additional guidance for businesses and employees that is released.
• Travel is now unrestricted – except to those states that are noted by KDHE for travel-related quarantine guidelines.
2. All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and should follow all public health guidelines.
3. Protect high-risk populations. Certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19. To keep our families and communities safe and healthy, it is important to take steps to protect older adults, people with underlying health conditions, people facing homelessness, incarcerated or detained people, and people who work in healthcare or other critical infrastructure jobs.
4. High- Risk individuals may resume public interactions with caution but should practice physical distancing and minimize exposure to social settings when precautionary measures may be difficult.
Jefferson County officials will continue to monitor existing cases within the county as well as activities with greater risk of disease spread. We know that COVID- 19 continues to circulate in our county and state, and we must continue to take precautions as the restrictions loosen. Jefferson County citizens are urged to remain vigilant to control the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to practice social distancing and following all CDC guidance.
• Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home- 6 feet of social distance
o Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus
o Avoid crowded places and mass gatherings
o If you are at higher risk for developing complications from COVID-19- it is especially important that you maintain distance from others.
• Wash hands often
o Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
o If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when out in public and unable to social distance
o Cloth face masks should not be placed on young children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unable to remove the mask without assistance.
o The cloth face mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
o Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including phones, keyboards, doorknobs, handles and light switches
Copy of the Press Release