Unified Government Administrator Doug Bach has announced the limited reopening of public buildings in Kansas City, Kansas, including City Hall, the courthouse, and the jail, beginning Tuesday, May 26.
“The safety and well-being of our community and employees is a top priority, and the Unified Government continues to evaluate ways to ensure safety for all,” Bach said in a news release. “To protect the health and wellness of visitors and employees, public buildings will re-open with safety precautions.”
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, public buildings will reopen to in-person service by appointment only. Both employees and visitors will be required to have their temperatures taken before entering any public building. Employees and visitors will also be required to wear a mask or face covering and practice social distancing.
The limited reopening of public buildings coincides with Wyandotte County’s decision to align its local reopening plan with the state of Kansas’ plan. In listening to feedback, the Unified Government recognized that residents and businesses faced a confusing mix of state and local guidance regarding the reopening of businesses, activities venues, and other key community segments.
The temporary suspension of the ReStart WyCo plan, and adoption of the state Phase 2 plan, will make it easier for residents and businesses to comply with guidance that keeps patrons and families safer, according to a UG spokesman. The state’s Phase 2 plan is available to view or download online at covid.ks.gov.
To ensure social distancing is maintained, Unified Government staff has placed signs and markings around the interior of public buildings. Elevator access will be limited to two riders at a time, and sanitizing stations will be available for everyone to use. Employees and visitors will not be allowed to congregate in large groups.
Since March 23, Unified Government employees have been working remotely where possible. Many common services were moved online, and the Board of County Commissioners transitioned to holding public meetings by Zoom to keep the public and employees as safe as possible.
Residents, businesses and visitors are strongly encouraged to continue doing business via the Unified Government’s digital services program, according to the spokesman. Many services, such as paying property taxes, renewing vehicle registration, or requesting a new traffic court date can be completed online. To explore these services, visit the Unified Government’s Digital Services Hub.
Residents or businesses with specific questions about doing business with a department should visit wycokck.org. To locate a particular department’s webpage, visit wycokck.org, click the “government” gavel icon near the top right of the screen, and then click “departments” box midway down the page. Departments are searchable alphabetically and by name.
Residents, businesses, and visitors may also contact 3-1-1 for assistance by phone. Questions about the limited reopening of public buildings, or the steps the Unified Government has taken to protect the community and employees should also be directed to 3-1-1.
For information about the reopening of public buildings in Edwardsville, Kansas, visit the city of Edwardsville website at edwardsvilleks.org.
For information about the reopening of public buildings in Bonner Springs, Kansas, visit the city of Bonner Springs website at bonnersprings.org.
County health officials will continue to monitor key data on the status of COVID-19 to determine the next steps in the community’s reopening process. Those metrics include:
• The number of hospitalizations and deaths in Wyandotte County and surrounding area hospitals over a 14-day period, and
• the percentage of positive tests over a 14-day period.
To learn more about the county’s COVID-19 response, visit wycokck.org/COVID-19.
- Story from Unified Government