COVID-19 news: Businesses in KC metro reopen with new rules; some workers return
As businesses begin reopening in the Kansas City area, shoppers, diners and employees will have to adapt to a new set of rules.
Last week, parts of the Northland began allowing restaurant dine-in service with restrictions. On Monday, Johnson County and eastern Jackson County did the same.
On Friday, Kansas City restaurants can join them — so long as they keep tables spaced 10 feet apart. Servers have to wear masks. Bar and buffet service continue to be prohibited.
But the coronavirus hasn’t left. As restaurants throw open their dining spaces and invite customers back in, health experts urge caution.
“From loosening these restrictions, there’s no question that we will have more cases,” said Kansas City Health Department director Rex Archer.
People who are over 65 or have underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk for dying from COVID-19 “absolutely shouldn’t go out,” he said.
In Johnson County, Oak Park Mall opened its doors Wednesday, weeks after it shut down to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Only about two dozen retailers opened with the mall. JCPenney posted bright red signs “JCP Open,” drawing a steady stream of shoppers. But the Overland Park mall’s other anchors — Dillard’s, Macy’s and Nordstrom — were dark with no word on when they will resume operations.
Play areas and children’s rides have been shut down, and the colorful car-shaped strollers were being packed away as the mall reduces the number of high-touch surfaces. Seating was removed from the food court right before the shutdown.
Farmer’s markets in Overland Park and Lenexa will resume this weekend. Overland Park had been operating its market in a drive-thru format, but walk-up shopping will be allowed beginning Saturday.
The number of customers won’t be limited, but vendors are encouraged to allow just one family at a time at their booths. Organizers also said they expect fewer vendors to participate.
In Lenexa, 15 vendors will be allowed to sell products. The market will only allow one-way foot traffic and the first hour is reserved for at-risk shoppers.
Major KC employers
Several of the area’s largest companies are planning a phased reentry for their workers.
At H&R Block, the first batch of about 100 employees are set to come back on June 1 — a randomized process the company plans to repeat every two weeks for the foreseeable future.
Hallmark Cards also plans a limited reopening of its headquarters on June 1. The company will initially bring in 10% to 15% of its 3,000 or so corporate employees, said spokeswoman JiaoJiao Shen.
Hallmark will close common areas to spread employees apart and will screen workers before they come to the campus, she said.
Cerner, the region’s largest private employer, will start moving employees back on Monday, starting with executive leadership. Only 10% of the company’s workforce will return to work initially.
As employees return, they’ll be encouraged to wear masks. The company will close fitness centers and cafeterias. Elevators will be limited to two passengers and all staircases will be designated for one-way travel — either up or down.
Eva Karp, a senior vice president and chief clinical and patient safety officer at Cerner, said some positions, particularly in the company’s consulting and client support divisions, will likely transition to virtual roles in the future.
“I don’t think we’ll ever go back to before. We’re considering a transition to the new and our new workforce and the new environment,” she said. “We’re continually communicating that it’s an evolution.”
Kansas reported 7,468 COVID-19 cases including 164 deaths. Another 50,160 tests have returned negative.
Missouri confirmed 10,142 cases including 542 deaths. A total of 126,935 tests have been conducted.
