Kansas City mayor extends state of emergency until May 1

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Wednesday an extension to Kansas City’s state of emergency and updated safety guidelines with the help of Emergency Medical Services Medical Director Erica Carney.

Kansas City’s state of emergency has been extended to May 1. Lucas’s 12th amended order takes effect Wednesday at 10 p.m. and will expire with the state of emergency until stated otherwise.

Jackson County issues new, less restrictive health order restaurants, bars

Jackson County has issued a new and less restrictive health order for dining in at restaurants and bars.

• The new guidelines are the following; restaurants, taverns, and venues will now be able to extend their closing hours by two hours to midnight while keeping strict social distancing requirements. However, buildings will not be allowed to fill more than 50 percent of the building’s occupancy.
• Indoor and outdoor businesses must always be seated and masked except while eating and drinking. Indoor and outdoor parties are limited to no more than 10 people while continuing to practice social distancing.
• Restaurants, Taverns, and bars must report all known COVID-19 cases to the Kansas City Health Department.
• Masks will need to be worn in all indoor settings and outdoor settings when social distancing can not be practiced.
• Gyms, fitness, and recreation centers must always wear masks while business do not exceed 50 percent capacity.

Vaccine Updates

It was also announced that the Kansas City Department of Health will receive it’s first shipment of 975 COVID-19 vaccines to be used for all healthcare providers that have been giving vaccines to the frontline workers. If available, any Kansas Citians interested in getting the vaccine visit kcmo.gov/coronavirus to complete an online survey.

Small Business Assistance

Lucas proposed back in November directing city administrators to determine what fees could be waived, deferred, or reduced. Lucas will now be announcing flexible license tax deadlines for businesses that make under $2 million per year in Thursday’s City Council meeting.

Here’s a Timeline of Restrictions  

• March 12, 2020
• Mayor Lucas issues state of emergency proclamation
• No gatherings more than 1,000 people
• https://www.kcmo.gov/home/showdocument?id=4021
• March 15, 2020
• Gatherings limited to 50 people
• Schools, daycares and businesses exempt
• March 16, 2020
• Gatherings limited to 10 people
• https://www.kcmo.gov/home/showdocument?id=4039
• Schools closed until further notice (per area superintendents)
• No dine-in services at restaurants, taverns or bars
• City encourages working from home
• No visitors at nursing homes
• March 18, 2020
• First to COVID-19 cases in Kansas City, MO
• March 21, 2020
• Mayor issues “Stay at Home Order”
• Kansas Citians stay home except for essential activities
• https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/265/625
• April 2, 2020
• First confirmed COVID-19 death in Kansas City
• April 6, 2020
• Dr. Rex Archer recommends wearing cloth masks
• April 16, 2020
• Mayor Lucas extends Stay-at-Home Order to May 15
• April 29, 2020
• Mayor Lucas announces “soft reopening”
• 10/10/10 rule
• https://www.kcmo.gov/home/showdocument?id=5225
• May 28 , 2020
• Mayor Lucas allows bars and restaurants to serve at 50% capacity
• https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/360/625
• June 26, 2020
• Masks required indoors in KCMO
• August 13, 2020
• State of Emergency extended to Jan 16
• November 16, 2020
• Indoor gatherings limited to 10
• Restaurants and event spaces must close at 10 p.m. and operate at less than 50% capacity

Kansas Citians may submit any COVID-19 order violations to COVIDViolations@kcmo.org, or should call 311. Click here for a full list of FAQs.