KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Anyone who visited the Lake of the Ozarks during the Memorial Day weekend is being asked to self-quarantine by Kansas health officials.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman recommended Tuesday that any Kansans who traveled to the Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend and didn’t practice social distancing or wear facemasks should self-quarantine for two weeks.
“The reckless behavior displayed during this weekend risks setting our community back substantially for the progress we’ve already made in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Norman said in a statement. “If you traveled to Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend, we urge you to act responsibly and self-quarantine to protect your neighbors, co-workers and family.”
The Kansas announcement comes as St. Louis County officials said Monday they are encouraging anyone from the St. Louis area that visited the Lake of the Ozarks should also self-quarantine.
“This reckless behavior endangers countless people and risks setting us back substantially from the progress we have made in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page said Monday in a statement. “I encourage everyone to follow the Department of Public Health advisory to determine a safe path forward in the workplace.”
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said he remains focused on protecting Kansas Citians, but said his city wouldn’t follow St. Louis’ lead.
“I have great respect for my peers in St. Louis County, but we have no plans to issue a quarantine order we simply cannot enforce,” Lucas said in a statement Monday night. “I ask anyone at the lake this weekend to follow social distancing and other guidelines in place upon their return to Kansas City to limit the spread of COVID-19. If anyone suspects exposure or illness, please call a health provider immediately.“
