Post Date: 03/16/2020 6:11 PM

NEWS RELEASE



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 16, 2020



Contact: Morgan Said



KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas – in consultation with Health Department Director Dr. Rex Archer and Emergency Medical Services Medical Director Dr. Erica Carney – today updated his State of Emergency proclamation after The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its latest COVID-19 guidance.



In accordance with the latest CDC guidance announced by President Trump, Mayor Lucas has updated his State of Emergency proclamation to disallow any gathering or events with more than 10 attendees.



Further:

With the support of superintendents from all 14 school districts and other education leaders that educate Kansas City students, all schools, public, private, charter and parochial, will close no later than Wednesday, March 18, until the end of the emergency notice.

Restaurants and taverns should serve customers via drive-thru, pickup, or delivery.

Businesses are strongly encouraged to evaluate which employees are essential and allow non-essential employees to work from home.

No visits to nursing homes and retirement or long-term care facilities are permissible.

Entire households are required to self-quarantine if someone in their home tests positive for COVID-19. They are also strongly encouraged to self-quarantine if anyone in their household is exhibiting symptoms consistent with common symptoms of COVID-19 (i.e. fever, dry cough).

“I care first and foremost about the health and safety of all Kansas City residents, and this decision was not made lightly,” said Mayor Lucas. “We understand these drastic measures will have unprecedented impacts on our local businesses and working families and recognize that this is one of the most challenging periods our city and nation has ever faced. I know for certain that our residents will band together during this period of crisis to offer assistance and support to each other.”



“I am constantly collaborating with regional governments to ensure consistency and speed in our response efforts,” continued Mayor Lucas. “I will continue working round-the-clock with our partners on all levels of government to identify relief measures for everyone impacted and resolve this situation as quickly as possible, while continuing to ensure the well-being of the greater public.”



Mayor Lucas – in consultation with local health leaders – will re-evaluate this guidance no later than Wednesday, April 1, in advance of the current termination of Mayor Lucas’s State of Emergency.



Kansas Citians interested in signing up for text updates from the City of Kansas City regarding COVID-19 should text COVIDKC to 888-777. For more information, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or kcmo.gov/coronavirus. You may also call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hotline at 877-435-8411 for questions regarding COVID-19 in Missouri.