Kansas - COVID-19 Covered

Kansas

Total Cases: 938,184 (March 10)
Fatalities: 10,066 (March 10)
Testing:
  • A list of Kansas COVID-19 testing locations can be found here. 
  • A list of COVID-19 sample collection sites and Health Departments can be found here. 
  • Governor Kelly announced that COVID-19 testing would continue to be available at no-cost through the end of 2021 to individuals using community testing sites. (March 31) 

ECONOMIC RESPONSE

Essential Service Designations:

  • Governor Kelly issued a stay-at-home order stipulates that the state will use the Kansas Essential Functions Framework (KEFF) to identify and continue essential functions, which include seeking medical assistance, buying groceries, and refilling gas. (March 28)

Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:

  • Kansas released official reopening guidance for businesses based on sector. Details for each sector can be found here. 
  • Governor Kelly announced that state agencies would return to normal operations beginning June 13. (May 12) 
  • Governor Kelly issued an executive order extending the deadline for rural water districts to hold their annual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. (February 24) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order requiring COVID-19 testing in certain adult care homes. (December 11) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order that extended temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations allowing them to quickly deliver supplies necessary to assist Kansas in its COVID-19 recovery efforts. (September 16) 

Economic Stimulus & Relief:

  • The Legislative Coordinating Council ended the statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures. (June 1) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order that would give licensing agencies flexibility to start reimposing license renewal deadlines and fees. (April 28) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program has been re–launched to assist unemployed residents. (March 26) 
  • The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation launched the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program, which would provide rent, utility, and internet assistance. (March 17) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that funding provided to the hospitality industry through the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency Fund had been converted from bridge loans to grants. (February 24) 
  • Governor Kelly and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation announced $200 million in statewide rental assistance. (February 17) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order that continued the prohibition on certain foreclosures and evictions. (January 27) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order extending the deadline for renewal of driver’s licenses to June 30. (January 4) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order providing temporary relief from the waiting requirement for Kansans applying for unemployment benefits. (January 4) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that Kansans experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be eligible to apply for a maximum of $5,000 in rental assistance. (October 23) 
  • Governor Kelly announced Kansas would begin processing payments for the Lost Wages Assistance program. (October 2) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order that called for re-issuing and extending several previous orders that were set to expire, including an eviction moratorium and deferred tax deadlines. (September 11) 
  • The State Finance Council rejected the idea of matching $100 from statewide COVID-19 relief funding with $300 federal money for the Lost Wages Assistance Program. (September 4) 
  • Governor Kelly and the Kansas Department for Children & Families announced additional benefits for those receiving childcare assistance. (August 31) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that $8 million in CARES Act funding would be used to cover health care expenses for early childhood professionals and other essential workers who contracted COVID-19. (August 27) 
  • Governor Kelly and Department for Children & Families Secretary Laura Howard awarded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Youth & Family Stability Grants to eight state agencies. These grants would boost access to childcare, education, and mental health services. (July 7) 
  • Governor Kelly signed several executive orders, including ones allowing for deferred tax deadlines and eased unemployment insurance requirements. (July 2) 

Business Support & Resources:

  • Governor Kelly announced that $16 billion in grants would be administered to shuttered venues through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program. (April 9) 
  • Governor Kelly signed legislation granting liability protections for health care providers and businesses. (April 5) 
  • Governor Kelly announced Kansans could begin submitting applications to the 2021 Federal Paycheck Protection Program. (February 8) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order to allow employers to continue to withhold income taxes based on the state of the employee’s primary work location, and not based on the state in which the employee is temporarily teleworking as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (January 27) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order extending temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations. (January 4)  
  • Governor Kelly announced that the State Finance Council allocated $20 million in funding for small businesses. (November 20) 
  • Governor Laura announced $3.5 million in grants and supplies for licensed child care providers. (November 6) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that Kansas has allocated more than $130 million in grants to help businesses affected by the pandemic and for companies that can expand broadband access in the state. Applications open on August 19. (August 14) 

SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS

Reopening:

  • Governor Kelly said she would request another extension of the state of emergency order and would like it to remain in place until the end of August. (June 11) 
  • The Legislative Coordinating Council revoked Governor Kelly’s statewide mask order. (April 5) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that all adults will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on March 29. (March 26) 
  • Governor Kelly extended the state’s disaster declaration to May 28 and will re-issue several executive orders pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 1. (March 26) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that Kansas would move to Phase 3 and 4 of its COVID-19 vaccination plan on March 22, allowing individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 with a preexisting medical condition and other non-healthcare workers in critical infrastructure to be eligible for the vaccine. (March 17) 
  • Governor Kelly extended the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31. (January 25) 
  • Governor Kelly signed a new executive order mandating the use of face coverings. (November 20) 
  • Governor Kelly signed an executive order that would provide temporary relief from age restrictions that prohibit applicants 50 years or older from renewing their driver’s license online. (July 29) 
  • Shawnee County’s Health Officer released an updated emergency order on reopening plans allowing restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to operate between the hours of 6:00AM and 11:00PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and between the hours of 6:00AM and midnight on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. (July 8) 

SCHOOL PLANNING

K-12:

  • Governor Kelly signed legislation requiring all unified school districts to provide a full-time, in-person attendance option for all students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12. (April 7) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that the Remote Learning Grant program would be extended through Spring 2021. (February 17) 
  • Governor Kelly announced that applications are now open for newly available grant funds and additional resources to support remote learning for school-age children. (October 2) 
  • Governor Kelly’s executive order to delay school openings was rejected by the Kansas Board of Education. School districts are will now be permitted to open as they see fit. (July 22) 

State Higher Education:

  • A list of Kansas universities and colleges planning to reopen in the fall can be found here.

Giving Opportunities

April 22, 2020

Governor’s office is referring companies interested in helping to this site for methods to donate and volunteer.

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