By Vivienne Uccello
PIO, City of Manhattan
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Riley County continues to increase by an average of 9-12 each day. In effort to slow the spread of the virus, Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs has issued Health Order No. 14. This order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 8 and will remain in effect for 12 days (11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 19), or until amended, superseded, or rescinded.
“Thankfully, most of the recent patients have had mild cases and have not required hospitalization,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “We still don’t know what long-term effects the virus might have on the body. If we take action now, hopefully we can prevent more people from being infected, and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed.”
Read the order at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19144/Local-Health-Order-14
The mass gathering size will continue to be limited to 50 people and large venues will continue to be closed.
Businesses and other locations that are open shall comply with the following additional restrictions:
- All restaurants and bars shall screen each employee prior to each shift. This screening shall include asking about symptoms, travel, contact, and checking temperatures. These records shall be available upon request. The form is provided as Appendix A to Order No. 14. All other businesses are strongly encouraged to screen employees.
- All bars shall close at midnight and customers shall leave the premises by 12:30 a.m.
- All dine-in service at restaurants shall cease at midnight and customers shall leave the premises by 12:30 a.m. Drive-through, delivery, and curbside service may continue past midnight.
- All businesses and locations are required to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with Recommended Business Practices as published by the Centers for Disease Control and industry-specific guidance by trade groups. Nothing in this order shall be interpreted to require that any business or location open if they choose not to.
Social distancing practices should also continue:
- Maintain at least 6-ft of distance.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible (or using hand sanitizer).
- Cover nose and mouth with a cloth mask in public situations where social distancing is difficult to maintain (such as in stores).
- Cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not into the hands).
- People in high-risk categories are advised to continue taking extra precautions and to limit their contact with the public.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The public can find more information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html