City leaders plead for COVID-19 regulation after Johnson County makes it voluntary

More than 20 city council members from across Johnson County have signed a letter urging county leaders to adopt coronavirus restrictions that can be enforced.

After Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced she has shifted responsibility for COVID-19 prevention to counties, Johnson County health officials said they would not impose their own restrictions. Instead, the county is leaving it up to businesses and residents to follow recommendations laid out in Kelly’s phased approach to reopening the economy.

Now all churches and businesses, including bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues which had been closed can reopen, at full capacity and with no other regulations.

Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Dr. Lee Norman warned Wednesday that if mass gatherings are allowed without social distancing, the state is going “to see an increase and perhaps a startling increase in the number of cases.”

Read more: https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article243044401.html