KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues to spread across the world, and in Missouri and Kansas.
41 Action News is keeping track of all closings and cancellations, as well as tracking where positive coronavirus cases are located.
If you are a business finding unique ways to serve our community, check our KC Open for Business Facebook group to share your ideas.
Updates on the spread of the virus and how it is affecting the metro can be found below for June 16.
5:30 p.m. | A Kansas City, Kansas, meat shop has temporarily closed its retail shop while waiting for COVID-19 test results from some employees. Bichelmeyer Meats announced on Tuesday that it “voluntarily” chose to close, but will continue to process orders for half beef and hogs. New orders are not being accepted.
5 p.m. | Missouri residents who are receiving unemployment, including pandemic assistance, will be required to “perform work-search activities” beginning in July.
4:45 p.m. | The Fort Osage School District Education Foundation and the Fort Osage Food Service Department partnered to offer boxes of free food through the USDA’s Food to Families Program.
The boxes will be available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, in front of Osage Trail Middle School, 2101 N. Twyman Road in Independence.
People can remain seated in their vehicles, and the food will be loaded into their trunk or back seat.
4 p.m. | Wyandotte County health officials say a "sense of normalcy" under Phase 3 has contributed to an increase in COVID-19 cases. The county entered Phase 3 of reopening on June 8.
3:30 p.m. | Two Kansas State football players have tested positive for COVID-19, the athletic department announced Tuesday. The school says it has tested approximately 120 student-athletes to date. Only football players have returned to campus at this point.
1:30 p.m. | Passengers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering could be banned from flying with some of the major U.S. airlines. On Monday, Airlines for America, an organization that represents major U.S. airlines, announced it will increase its enforcement of face coverings.
12:05 p.m. | Missouri State Parks will expand the reservation window for campgrounds from a six-month period to a 12-month period. Beginning June 30, campers can reserve a campsite a Missouri State Parks one year before the arrival date. The change was made to better facilitate social distancing measures at campgrounds.
11:30 a.m. | While Missouri begins to fully reopen on Tuesday, long-term care facilities, which have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, will continue to operate under a phased-in approach. The Department of Health and Senior Services on Monday issued new guidance to those facilities that allows them to ease restrictions for visitations, as well as communal dining and group activities.
Each facility will be responsible for implementing specific protocols and notifying families, DHSS says.
10:30 a.m. | The Kansas City Marriott Downtown will temporarily lay off, furlough or reduce hours for 280 employees in response to a downturn in business because of COVID-19. It's one of several large hotel chains in the Kansas City metro to announce layoffs in recent weeks.
9:15 a.m. | The Shawnee Mission School District says it is moving forward with plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies in July. Graduations for each high school will be held outside with social distancing requirements in place. In a letter to seniors, the district also said it is prepared to move to virtual ceremonies if necessary.
8:43 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update.
7:30 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
5:30 a.m. | The state of Missouri will fully reopen Tuesday under Gov. Mike Parson's "Show Me Strong Recovery Plan." The state will enter Phase 2, which lifts all restrictions. Local officials, however, will still have the option to put further restrictions or ordinances in place.
5 a.m. | Clay County has issued some changes to Phase 2 of its recovery plan. Beginning Tuesday, all businesses, organizations and gatherings can operate with 50% occupancy. Gathering limits also will be relaxed to allow up to 250 people as long as social distancing is maintained.
Under the new exceptions, public and neighborhood association pools also can operate at 50% capacity.
The changes will expire at 12:01 p.m. on Sunday, July 5.
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
May 2020 updates
Monday, June 1
Tuesday, June 2
Wednesday, June 3
Thursday, June 4
Friday, June 5
Monday, June 8
Tuesday, June 9
Wednesday, June 10
Thursday, June 11
Friday, June 12
Monday, June 15
