Good afternoon
As chief elected officials for approximately 1.5 million people, together we represent two states, six counties, dozens of cities and hundreds of communities across the entire metro area.
Each of those communities is as unique, diverse and beautiful as the people that call them home.
Individually we are a diverse group of people. We come from different backgrounds, political affiliations, religious beliefs and much more.
Today despite all our differences, we stand and speak united as one.
United in the knowledge, understanding and appreciation that the days, weeks and months ahead will not be easy.
We are united in our knowledge that those who acted quickly and decisively have saved lives.
We are united by the necessary actions we have taken to support and protect the people of our communities … most importantly those who are most vulnerable to this disease.
We stand united in our belief that our communities are strong, compassionate and loving. Together as one, we will overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
We are comforted in our belief that our best days are ahead of us. We will emerge from this stronger, better and more united than ever.
We are proud of our citizens in each of these communities for acting so quickly to adhere to our orders to keep our communities safe. You’ve done an amazing job. Thank You!!
Mayor Alvey and Chairman Eilert, I hope you don’t mind, but before I conclude I would like to send a message to our dear friends and all the great people in Kansas City Kansas and Johnson County … PLEASE …
STAY STRONG, STAY SAFE, STAY HOME.
Mayor Lucas, my friends and family, and all the people who call Kansas City, Missouri home … please…
STAY STRONG, STAY SAFE, STAY HOME.
To the amazing people of Jackson county who have given me the distinct honor and privilege of representing them every day … please…
STAY STRONG, STAY SAFE, STAY HOME.
Thank You
God Bless us all …
#STAY HOME KC
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
415 E. 12th St., Ste. 200, Kansas City, MO 64106
JACKSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
313 S. Liberty, Independence, MO 64050
ORDER OF JACKSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE FRANK WHITE, JR., JACKSON COUNTY HEALTH DIRECTOR BRIDGETTE SHAFFER, AND JACKSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR TROY M. SCHULTE DIRECTING ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI, EXCEPT KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, TO STAY AT HOME AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE EXCEPT THAT THEY MAY LEAVE TO PROVIDE OR RECEIVE CERTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES OR ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES AND WORK FOR ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES; EXEMPTING INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FROM THE STAY AT HOME ORDER BUT URGING THEM TO FIND SHELTER AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE IT; DIRECTING ALL BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO CEASE NONESSENTIAL OPERATIONS AT PHYSICAL LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY; PROHIBITING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL GATHERINGS OF ANY NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS.
DATE OF ORDER: MARCH 22, 2020
Please read this Order carefully. Pursuant to §192.320 R.S.Mo., violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a class A misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.
UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY BY THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE MISSOURI STATE CONSTITUTION, STATUTES, REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS BY RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF JACKSON COUNTY AND COUNTY CODE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: THE MISSOURI CODE OF STATE REGULATIONS, RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES (19 CSR 20-20.020; 19 CSR 20-20.030; 19 CSR 20-20.040; 19 CSR 20-20.050) AND JACKSON COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 40, THE JACKSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE, JACKSON COUNTY HEALTH DIRECTOR, AND JACKSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR DO HEREBY ORDER:
- The intent of this Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling
essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. When people are required to leave their places of residence, whether to obtain or perform vital services, or to otherwise facilitate authorized activities necessary for continuity of social and commercial life, they should at all times reasonably possible comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 9 below. All provisions of this Order should be interpreted to effectuate this intent. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health. - All individuals currently living within Jackson County (the “County”), except Kansas City, Missouri, are ordered to stay at home at their place of residence. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, all as defined in Section 9. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and governmental and other entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and to utilize Social Distancing Requirements in their operation).
- All businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses as defined below in Section 9, are hereby required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations, as defined in Section 9. For clarity, businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home). All Essential Businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open. To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 9 below, including, but not limited to, when any customers are standing in line.
- All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes as expressly permitted in Section 9. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
- This Order is issued based on evidence of increasing occurrence of COVID-19 within the County and throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, scientific evidence and best practices regarding the most effective approaches to slow the transmission of communicable diseases generally and COVID-19 specifically, and evidence that the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in
the general public, which is now a pandemic according to the World Health Organization, there is a public health emergency throughout the County. Making the problem worse, some individuals who contract the COVID-19 virus have no symptoms or have mild symptoms, which means they may not be aware they carry the virus. Because even people without symptoms can transmit the disease, and because evidence shows the disease is easily spread, gatherings can result in preventable transmission of the virus. The scientific evidence shows that at this stage of the emergency, it is essential to slow virus transmission as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed. One proven way to slow the transmission is to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable. By reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this Order helps preserve critical and limited healthcare capacity in the County. - This Order is issued in light of the existence of at least 12 cases of COVID-19, and one related death in the County, as well at least 45 positive cases and at least two deaths in adjacent jurisdictions as of 5:00 p.m. on March 22, 2020, including a significant and increasing number of suspected cases of community transmission and likely further significant increases in transmission. Widespread testing for COVID-19 is not yet available but is expected to increase in the coming days. This Order is necessary to slow the rate of spread and the Health Director will re-evaluate it as further data becomes available.
- This Order also is issued in accordance with, and incorporates by reference, the March 13, 2020 State of Emergency issued by Governor Mike Parson, the March 12, 2020 Proclamation of State of Emergency and Executive Order issued by the County Executive, and all subsequent Executive Order Amendments regarding COVID-19 issued by the County Executive, to the extent they are consistent with this Order.
- This Order comes after the release of substantial guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the County Health Director, and other public health officials local as well as throughout the United States and around the world, including a variety of prior orders to combat the spread and harms of COVID-19. The County Executive, Health Director, and Emergency Management Coordinator will continue to assess the quickly evolving situation and may modify or extend this Order, or issue additional Orders, related to COVID-19.
- Definitions and Exemptions.
a. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities.” However, people at high risk of severe
illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care.
b. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.
c. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
d. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running.
e. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations.
f. To care for a family member or pet in another household.
g. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any “Healthcare Operations” including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. “Healthcare Operations” also includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined. “Healthcare Operations” does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities.
h. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure,” including, but not limited to, public works construction, construction of housing (in particular affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste
collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible.
i. For purposes of this Order, all first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel, and others who need to perform essential services are categorically exempt from this Order. Further, nothing in this Order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing ”Essential Governmental Functions,” as determined by the governmental entity performing those functions. Each governmental entity shall identify and designate appropriate employees or contractors to continue providing and carrying out any Essential Governmental Functions. All Essential Governmental Functions shall be performed in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, to the extent possible.
j. For the purposes of this Order, covered businesses include any for profit, non-profit, or educational entities, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure.
k. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:
i. Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
ii. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
iii. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
iv. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
v. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
vi. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
vii. Banks and related financial institutions;
viii. Hardware stores;
ix. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
x. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
xi. Educational institutions-including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities-for purposes of facilitating remote learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;
xii. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
xiii. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery, carry out, or drive-thru. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away or delivery basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
xiv. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
xv. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
xvi. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;
xvii. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;
xviii. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
xix. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
xx. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
xxi. Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions: - Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 10 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 10 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
- Children shall not change from one group to another in the same day.
- If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other.
- Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children in the same day.
l. For the purposes of this Order, “Minimum Basic Operations” include the following, provided that employees comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, to the extent possible, while carrying out such operations:
i. The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions.
ii. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.
m. For purposes of this Order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities.
n. For purposes of this Order, “Social Distancing Requirements ” includes maintaining at least sixfoot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands. - Pursuant to §192.320 R.S.Mo., the Health Director requests that the Sheriff and all chiefs of police in the County ensure compliance with and enforcement of this Order. The violation of any provision of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health.
- This Order shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on March 24, 2020 and will continue to be in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 24, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the County Executive, Emergency Management Coordinator, or Health Director.
- Copies of this Order shall promptly be: (1) made available outside the Jackson County Courthouses at 415 E. 12th St., Kansas City, MO 64106 (Downtown Location) and 308 W. Kansas Ave., Independence, MO 64050 (Independence Location); (2) posted on the Jackson County Health Department website (www.jacohd.org); and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of this Order.
- If any provision of this Order or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of the Order, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this Order are severable.
Authenticated as Adopted
This 22nd day of March, 2020
Frank White, Jr.
County Executive
Bridgette Shaffer, MPH
Director of Health
Troy M. Schulte
County Administrator & Emergency Management Coordinator
