Mayor Lucas Issues Citywide “Stay at Home” Order, Extends School Closures

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas – in consultation with Health Department Director Dr. Rex Archer and Emergency Medical Services Medical Director Dr. Erica Carney – today issued a “Stay at Home” Order, requiring Kansas Citians to stay at home except for “essential activities” as our community continues working to slow the spread of COVID-19. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and healthcare facilities will remain open. This order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 24.

Download full text of the Order >>

“As community spread of COVID-19 continues throughout our region, we are taking aggressive action to flatten the curve and protect our most vulnerable brothers and sisters,” said Mayor Lucas. “We are asking our entire community to unite to prevent the spread of this virus and appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this time. I understand the financial and emotional toll this virus has taken on Kansas City families and businesses, and I am working my hardest to create every opportunity possible to ease some of this financial burden. We have suspended all water and electricity shut-offs and have issued a moratorium on evictions, but I know our work for those struggling most continues.”

For purposes of this order, permissible “essential activities” will mean:

• To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family and close personal acquaintances, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home;
• To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or close personal acquaintances, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
• To assist in the preparation of food and drink for delivery and carry out, or to pick up food or drink for carry out.
• To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, biking, hiking, or running;
• To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order; and
• To care for a family member, close personal acquaintance, or pet in another household;

“Essential activities” do not include weddings, funerals, wakes, memorial services, or similar gatherings.

An Update on School Closures:

With the support of superintendents from all 14 school districts and other education leaders that educate Kansas City students, Mayor Lucas has also updated his existing State of Emergency order to extend school closures in the Missouri-side of the metropolitan area through Friday, April 24. Daycares and early childhood programs remain exempt from this order.

Mayor Lucas will review this Order, and updated as needed, prior to its April 24 expiration.

Kansas Citians interested in signing up for text updates from the City of Kansas City regarding COVID-19 should text COVIDKC to 888-777. For more information, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or kcmo.gov/coronavirus. You may also call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hotline at 877-435-8411 for questions regarding COVID-19 in Missouri.