KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Johnson County task force charged with creating a recovery plan for the Kansas City area's second-largest county grappled with the details of what that might look like on Monday.
In a meeting lasting at least two hours, the task force, chaired by Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Ed Eilert, worked through a draft of a recovery plan.
Most of the plan centers on reopening the economy in a phased approach as certain criteria are met.
The task force sees the current phase as the stay-at-home order currently in effect. In order to advance to phase one, the county would need to see a downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses reported and/or a downward trajectory of COVID-like symptomatic cases reported within a 14-day period; a downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period or a downward trajectory of positive tests as a percentage of total tests within a 14-day period; and treat all patients without crisis care at hospitals and have in place a robust testing program for at-risk health care workers, including emergency antibody tests.
If those criteria are met in whole, the county would be able to advance into phase one.
According to a grid draft reviewed by the task force, different phases would allow different types of activity. No specific timetables are attached to starting a specific phase.
PHASE 1:
- Seniors and vulnerable populations would still be encouraged to stay home; workers would still be encouraged to work from home if possible; encourage all residents to wear masks; and a continued prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people.
- Restaurants would be allowed to offer dine-in service at 50% capacity with additional guidelines implemented. Curbside and take-out service would remain available.
- Entertainment venues would be closed.
- Retail stores and commercial stores would be allowed to open with certain guidelines.
PHASE 2:
- Same guidelines to all residents as phase one, while public gatherings are increased up to 50.
- Dine-in service available at 75% of capacity, with encouragements remaining for curbside service and take-out.
- Entertainment venues would remain closed; outdoor playgrounds and sport courts would be allowed with social distancing.
- Sports venues and youth sports would remain closed.
PHASE 3:
- Same guidelines to all residents as phase one, while public gatherings are increased up to 100.
- Dine-in service available at full capacity with guidelines.
- Entertainment venues would be allowed with guidelines.
- Retail and commercial stores would be open for business with guidelines.
- Outdoor playgrounds and sports courts would be allowed with guidelines.
- Sports venues, youth sports and pools would be allowed with guidelines.
PHASE 4:
- Same guidelines to all residents as phase one, with gatherings in excess of 100 permitted.
- Nearly every category of business and activity would be allowed to open and operate at full capacity.
The catch to reaching phase four is likely to be tied to the availability of a vaccine or a therapeutic treatment for COVID-19.
Task force members spent considerable time debating where to slot hair salons, nail salons, massage therapists, gyms and fitness centers, swimming pools and other recreational activities. A revised draft of the phases and where certain activities fit was being prepared Monday afternoon.
Debate among the task force also centered on creating a level playing field for businesses across the metro area, with concerns that one jurisdiction might prohibit a certain type of business from opening while that type of business might be open in another jurisdiction, thus losing out on possible customers.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
