KS Gov. Laura Kelly extends statewide stay-at-home order

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly extended the ongoing statewide stay-at-home order until May 3 as the global pandemic continues. Mayor Quinton Lucas has also extended the order until May 15 in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The original order was expected to finish Sunday, April 19, but new statistics show the growing number of COVID-19 cases will not peak until April 19. 

“Unfortunately, cases continue to increase, and new counties continue to have confirmed cases,” Gov. Kelly.said in an interview with KMBC. “Ideally, we need to see a reduction in the number of cases for 14 days before we begin to relax social gathering restrictions.” 

Under the extended order, citizens are asked to stay home — with exceptions, such as obtaining food, medicine and necessities, going to and from work, seeking medical care or caring for a vulnerable person in another location. 

Kelly understands the need for businesses and restaurants to reopen, but wants to wait a couple more weeks so the state doesn’t spark another peak. 

“We know how much of a hardship these mitigation efforts have caused for thousands of Kansas families and businesses,” Gov. Kelly said in Wednesday’s briefing. “We’re working as quickly as we can to give our communities a plan for the future.” 

The governor hopes citizens keep following recommended procedures to continue flattening the curve in order to regain safe normalcy as soon as possible.

“If we do rush it, we will end up doing more harm, whereas, if we take it slowly, cautiously, we’ll all be better off in the long run,” Kelly said in the briefing.