Johnson County will start to reopen on Monday. Here’s what you need to know
Leawood stylist Anita Graves-Barker thought she could start giving her clients ever-so coveted haircuts on May 4. But then Johnson County’s stay-at-home order was extended another week.
Just as Barker began informing customers they could schedule appointments on May 11, officials announced Johnson County would follow Kansas’ plan for reopening the economy. That pushed back the start date for hair salons even further, to May 18 at the earliest.
“Let’s hope this is the last time we need to change our opening date,” she wrote in a message to clients on Facebook.
Barker’s struggle — trying to figure out when and how she will return to work, let alone how to do so safely — has been a common one lately. Confusion has shrouded the Kansas City metro as COVID-19 restrictions change and, more and more often, vary from county to county and city to city.
As health officials tout the importance of coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions, residents face a mishmash of restrictions. A 15-minute drive could make the difference in whether a hair salon or gym is allowed to open, or how many people can shop in a store or sit in a restaurant.
Take hair salons and barber shops. While the ones in Johnson County are closed until at least May 18, Jackson County outside Kansas City limits is allowing them to open with restrictions on Monday. Kansas City already allowed them to open on Wednesday, with safety requirements.
As for restaurants, Johnson and Jackson counties will allow limited dine-in service starting Monday. But sandwiched in between them, Kansas City restaurants can’t reopen until Friday, May 15.
In Johnson County, many businesses are allowed to open on Monday, as long as they abide by social distancing rules. The county will begin following Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for reopening the economy, awaiting state direction before allowing more businesses to resume operations.
“We are currently in close contact with the state, and are looking at this from a statewide perspective. That includes the Kansas City metro, but also the entire state,” said Joseph LeMaster, public health officer. “We are in close contact with the governor’s office and communicating with them about how they will be making additional recommendations in the coming days.”
Officials said that by following the state’s plan, they hope to minimize confusion.
Still, Johnson County’s plan differs greatly from those in Kansas City, as well as Wyandotte and Jackson counties — both of which also allow some business to open on Monday. And even within Johnson County, restrictions can vary from city to city.
Here’s what residents need to know to navigate the changes in Johnson County and elsewhere.
What opens Monday?
In Johnson County beginning on Monday, retail and commercial businesses can reopen as long as they maintain social distancing.
Restaurants will be allowed to offer dine-in service, but tables will be limited to parties of 10 and must be kept 6 feet apart.
Gatherings will remain limited to no more than 10 people. That restriction applies to funerals and weddings.
Churches and other places of worship can hold services with more than 10 people present, as long as there is social distancing between families.
But just because a business is allowed to open doesn’t mean that it will. Some business owners have said they will slowly start allowing customers into their stores, or will wait longer before opening their doors at all.
Kassie Murphy, owner of Ensemble in downtown Overland Park, would have been celebrating her clothing shop’s two-year anniversary this past week. Instead, she was trying to figure out whether she can let customers into her store.
“It’s a relief to finally have the choice to open. But I think what’s hard is just not knowing what the next couple of weeks will look like,” she said. “So I think I’m holding off on opening right away so I can get a feel from our customers to see how they feel about coming in and if they don’t mind other people being in the store.”
She said she might allow customers to shop in store by appointment only, and see how it goes.
“Sometimes I wonder if at some point you just have to stop the bleeding and close the doors completely because you can’t afford to ride out the wave,” she said.
When does everything else open?
The state will determine when more businesses can start to reopen as part of a four-phase plan.
Moving on to the next phase depends on whether statewide cases, death rates and hospitalizations are declining.
The second phase will begin no earlier than May 18. Theaters, casinos, gyms, hair salons and tattoo parlors will be allowed to open. Pools and community centers are included in that list, but some Johnson County cities are keeping theirs closed. Bars and nightclubs can operate at half-capacity. Gatherings will be limited to no more than 30 people.
Beginning no earlier than June 1, the third phase would allow gatherings of up to 90 people. All restrictions on businesses and activities would be lifted as long as social distancing is observed.
The fourth phase would lift all remaining state restrictions, no sooner than June 15.
Health officials have warned that fully returning to normalcy will depend on a large percentage of the population becoming immune to the virus or a coronavirus vaccine becoming available.
What about the rest of the metro?
Both Wyandotte and Jackson counties will begin reopening businesses on Monday as well, although with some notable differences compared to Johnson County.
Wyandotte County starts its tepid reopening after taking a hard hit from the coronavirus pandemic.
The county has issued its own, more restrictive plan for lifting the stay-at-home order, rather than following the state’s direction. The county is taking a gradual, three-zone approach fashioned after the red, yellow and green lights of a traffic signal. On Monday, it moves into the “red zone,” which is a slightly relaxed version of the stay-at-home order.
Retail businesses must let workers maintain 6 feet of distance and will only offer pickup and delivery services. Unlike in Johnson County, restaurants will not welcome customers to dine in, but can continue offering delivery and carryout.
“We continue to be cautious about many things, especially cautious with our vulnerable population groups,” said Allen Griener, medical officer for Wyandotte County.
In Jackson County, outside of Kansas City limits, all stores, personal service providers, restaurants and bars that serve food will be allowed to operate as long as they follow social-distancing practices. Like in Kansas, gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people.
Guidelines for retail stores are slightly different than what is outlined for Johnson County. Kansas instructs shop owners to limit crowds of employees and customers to no more than 10, with 6 feet of distance between everyone.
Jackson County instead requires stores under 10,000 square feet to limit occupancy to no more than 25% of what is allowed under fire and building codes. Larger stores must operate at no more than 10% capacity. That includes employees and customers.
Unlike in Johnson County, hair and nail salons will be allowed to open Monday in Jackson County. But they will be open by appointment only.
Kansas City has been operating under much different rules than those of the surrounding counties.
On Wednesday, Mayor Quinton Lucas allowed some businesses to reopen under his “10/10/10” rules. Many nonessential businesses are limited to having no more than 10 people, or 10% of normal capacity, in their facilities — whichever is greater. May 15 will see a wider reopening, including restaurants and bars, gyms, museums, the Kansas City Zoo, government buildings and city-maintained playground equipment, with restrictions. The city was expected to issue guidance for restaurants on Monday.
Are rules the same across Johnson County?
Even in Johnson County, restrictions may vary from city to city.
Some Johnson County cities have already started considering issuing stricter rules than the rest of the state, which is allowed under Kansas’ reopening plan.
The Prairie Village City Council, for example, is considering requiring everyone to wear face coverings inside businesses and indoor public spaces. If approved later this month, that rule would only apply to Prairie Village. The state and county strongly encourage the use of masks but do not mandate it.
Cities differ on opening public facilities. This past week, both Prairie Village and Roeland Park officials decided to keep public outdoor pools closed this summer. Overland Park leaders are considering doing the same. But in Lenexa, officials are planning to open one of the city’s three pools.
Roeland Park has drafted a plan for reopening City Hall and its other facilities. As early as June 1, the city could reopen public buildings, playgrounds, athletic courts and its community center, with social distancing restrictions.
Other Johnson County cities are making similar decisions as to when they will reopen public buildings. And the county is working on its own plan for reopening libraries and municipal facilities.
Beginning May 18, the Johnson County Library will allow residents to return books and materials at the Blue Valley, Lenexa City Center and Monticello branches. Starting May 26, residents can pick up their holds at the drive-thru windows.
What about my business?
Johnson County is tasked with helping business owners understand when they are allowed to reopen their stores, said Joe Connor, assistant county manager.
They may contact the county call center, at 913-715-5000, or email covid19@jocogov.org for clarification.
Businesses are directed to follow industry standards for social distancing, sanitation and other practices to prevent the spread of coronavirus among employees and customers. Guidelines are available at covid.ks.gov/reopen-page.
How can I stay safe if I go out?
Even as restrictions are relaxed, Johnson County’s health officials advise residents to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others.
“The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus,” Sanmi Areola, county public health director, said.
Once residents start leaving their homes more frequently and returning to workplaces, Areola expects a rise in COVID-19 cases. If there are new outbreaks, it is likely officials will start reimposing restrictions.
Areola is urging everyone to continue following social distancing requirements. That includes frequent hand washing, wearing face masks or coverings, keeping 6 feet of distance from others, disinfecting surfaces and staying home when feeling sick.
“Educate yourself on specific guidelines businesses are putting into place to help keep staff and customers safe, so you know what to expect,” Areola said.
Includes reporting by The Star’s Steve Vockrodt, Mike Hendricks and Allison Kite.
This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
