TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has slowed down the reopening of Kansas’ economy.
Kelly on Thursday ordered bars and bowling alleys to remain closed through the end of the month and plans to keep some coronavirus-inspired restrictions in place until near the end of June.
Kelly’s new order takes effect Monday and is likely to stir strong opposition in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature.
A limit on public gatherings of 10 or fewer people will remain in place, rather than being increased to 30 on Monday.
Kelly is allowing barbershops, tattoo parlors and hair and nail salons to reopen as planned but limiting them to appointments only. Fitness centers can open but cannot hold in-person group classes, and locker rooms must remain closed.
Theaters, museums, community centers, swimming pools, organized sports facilities and summer camps cannot open under the new order. Bars and nightclubs must remain closed with the exception of curbside and carryout service.
In a news release, Kelly said that while hospitalizations and COVID-19 deaths have declined, the daily rate of the virus' spread in Kansas has not "shown the downward trajectory necessary" to move to phase two.
She called the new order "Phase 1.5."
"I said from the beginning that public safety must remain the top priority, which means that our reopening efforts must be driven by data, not dates," Kelly said in the news release. "Phase 1.5 will continue our transition, but with necessary caution.”
