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 May 26.
9 p.m. | Johnson County will continue to follow Kansas' Ad Astra plan for reopening, as recommended by Johnson County Local Health Officer Dr. Joseph LeMaster and the county's Department of Health and Environment Director Dr. Sanmi Areola.
“We cannot stress highly enough the importance of residents and businesses continuing to follow the guidance of the Ad Astra plan," LeMaster said in a news release. 'This will give us the time we need to monitor the data and see the impact of loosening restrictions, reopening businesses and the gatherings that occurred over the Memorial Day weekend. It is crucial that we all continue to practice physical distancing, wear barrier masks where we cannot maintain social distancing, practice good hygiene and make decisions that protect the health of the community. If businesses and residents follow the recommendations, we have hope that the good progress we have made until now will continue.”
8 p.m. | ReStore in Independence will reopen on Wednesday, and "all staff, volunteers, and customers will be required to wear masks," according to a news release. The store's hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Blue Springs location opened on May 13.
6:10 p.m. | Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte tweeted an update on coronavirus cases at the detention center. Two inmates have tested positive and are in medical isolation, and 36 inmates are in quarantine due to possible exposure. Six "non-inmates" also have tested positive, according to Forte.
JCDC Isolation/Quarantine Status Update: two inmates in medical isolation (both tested positive), 36 inmates in quarantine due to possible exposure and six non-inmates have tested positive. @JacksonCountyMO @KCMO @JCSheriffOffice pic.twitter.com/L0kZk2dHeU
— Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) May 26, 2020
5:40 p.m. | Wyandotte County says it will continue to follow reopening guidance under Gov. Laura Kelly's Ad Astra plan after the governor removed her executive order, leaving the decision on reopening up to individual counties.
5 p.m. | A spokesman for the Kansas City International Airport says 11,441 passengers flew through the airport over the Memorial Day weekend. The airport has seen a significant drop in passenger traffic since the coronavirus pandemic began.
4:30 p.m. | A positive COVID-19 case has paused some production at Ford Motor Company’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo.
The automaker made the announcement Tuesday on the company website, saying it has paused production on the Transit side until the facility can be cleaned.
4 p.m. | As part of his remarks Tuesday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced he will place a question before voters in August on whether the state should expand Medicaid.
3:30 p.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly made several announcements in her first briefing since Memorial Day weekend, including that she's giving counties the ability to chart their own course in reopening their economies.
Kelly also announced plans to veto legislation passed last week by the Kansas Legislature that curbed her emergency powers.
3 p.m. | Those who visited the Lake of the Ozarks over Memorial Day weekend and did not maintain social distancing practices made “poor choices” but were “a small sample” of how Missourians honored the holiday, according to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson.
"(Not social distancing) is potentially dangerous for everyone, especially our most at-risk individuals,” Parson said.
Parson also said during a news conference on Tuesday that overall, he witnessed “responsible practice” by Missouri citizens.
1:30 p.m. | Evergy will continue its suspension of disconnects through July 15. The company announced in March that it would not disconnect service for those unable to pay. It also will waive late fees and offer payment arrangements through Dec. 31.
1 p.m. | Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson announced a temporary reduction in non-DUI diversion fees for traffic-related through Aug. 31 in response to economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand the economic impact everyone is facing due to the mandatory quarantine,” Thompson said in a statement. “Although we know traffic infractions are important for everyone’s safety, we want to help make less of a strain on people struggling financially.”
Diversion, which normally costs $150, will now cost $30. The program allows drivers to keep minor traffic offenses off their driving record.
For more information or to find out if you’re eligible for diversion, contact the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office at 913-684-0899.
12:30 p.m. | Beginning Tuesday, Johnson County Library users can pick up items on hold at drive-thru windows at the Blue Valley, Lenexa City Center and Monticello branches. The library began allowing returns and new holds last week as part of its phased reopening plan.
12:13 p.m. | Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm in Olathe will reopen to the public June 1.
It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Sundays when it will be open noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for guests 12 years and older, $2 for children ages 5 to 11 years old and free for children 4 years or younger. Visitors can bring refreshments.
Access to Mahaffie will be limited to 15 visitors at time. The 1865 Mahaffie House will remain closed and stagecoach rides are not available at this time.
Family Fun Nights will resume June 25 and Mahaffie still plans to observe Independence Day: 1860s Style on July 4 and conduct summer camps in July.
11:45 a.m. | The city of Independence has canceled its annual Independence Day Fireworks Show, scheduled for July 3.
"Prior to the City’s Emergency Declaration on March 12, we had been working with regional partners to secure sponsorships to support this beloved annual event. With the current climate, we were not able to finalize these agreements in time to move forward with this year’s event and do not believe it is the interest of the public health to plan such a large gathering of citizens and visitors at this time," City Manager Zach Walker said in a news release. "We are hopeful that we will be able to reengage with potential sponsors to make this event possible next year."
11:15 a.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will give an update on the state's COVID-19 response at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
11 a.m. | The Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners says there will be fewer polling locations for the June 2 elections next week. The poll sites will be larger areas, including gyms, cafeterias and community centers, to allow for social distancing. Voters who live in KCMO within Jackson County should check their polling locations on the board's website.
9:56 a.m. | The Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, announced it will be laying off 578 employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The layoffs will likely be permanent.
9:54 a.m. | The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends anyone who traveled to Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri over the Memorial Day weekend do a voluntary 14-day self-quarantine if they did not follow social distancing guidelines.
8:53 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update. They were joined by officials from the university who shared news on the topics of campus reopening and athletics resuming.
7:30 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
6:58 a.m. | As Brazil and India struggle with surging coronavirus cases, a top health expert is warning that the world is still smack in the middle of the pandemic.
Those comments from Dr. Mike Ryan of the World Health Organization are dampening hopes for a speedy global economic rebound. On Monday, he warned that countries could face an "immediate second peak" if they lift social distancing measures too quickly.
5:30 a.m. | Center School District families may begin picking up their students' personal belongings that were left at school before the pandemic. Time slots are available beginning Tuesday, but need to be selected online.
Reminder CSD Families: Sign up for a time to collect personal belongings left at school. Time slots are available beginning Tuesday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. #CenterWeGotThis #CSD #CenterSD pic.twitter.com/4Jg7gOhhfx
— Center 58 Schools (@CenterSD) May 26, 2020
5:15 a.m. | As food banks have struggled to meet soaring demand from people suddenly out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been especially troubling to see farmers have to bury produce, dump milk and euthanize hogs.
Now some states are providing more money to help pay for food that might otherwise go to waste, the U.S. Agriculture Department is spending $3 billion to help get farm products to food banks, and a senator is seeking $8 billion more to buy farm produce for food banks, according to the Associated Press.
5 a.m. | Missouri Gov. Mike Parson will resume his COVID-19 press briefings after a hiatus for the Memorial Day holiday. Tuesday's briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
Friday, May 1
Saturday, May 2
Sunday, May 3
Monday, May 4
Tuesday, May 5
Wednesday, May 6
Thursday, May 7
Friday, May 8
Saturday, May 9
Sunday, May 10
Monday, May 11
Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 14
Friday, May 15
Sunday, May 17
Monday, May 18
Tuesday, May 19
Thursday, May 21
Wednesday, May 20
Thursday, May 21
Thursday, May 21
Friday, May 22
Saturday, May 23
Sunday, May 24
Monday, May 25
