Riley County Health Department has issued the latest local health order.
Local Health Order No. 16 will go into effect Thursday at 12:01 am and does not have an expiration date. Instead, it will remain in place until the data indicates that a change is needed.
The new order will allow mass gatherings of greater than 50 individuals, but less than two thousand through a permit process. Anyone who wishes to host an event or gathering of more than 50 people must fill out a request on the health department’s website. The permit process must be started at least 14 days prior to the event. Strict safety measures will need to be in place for a gathering to be approved. Regularly held church services are not considered to be events and are exempt from this requirement.
All restaurants and bars are limited to seated areas only, including patios. Service or eating/drinking at a counter/bar or in standing-only areas is prohibited. Patrons who are waiting for tables may not sit at counter tops or wait inside the establishment.
Anyone seated at bars and restaurants must be placed at least six feet apart from other tables. If this is not feasible, a barrier, such as plexiglass or other partition can be used divide booths or tables. Buffet-style restaurants are still allowed to operate, but customers must sit at tables or booths when eating or drinking. Dance floors, including makeshift and temporary ones, shall be closed.
Bars and restaurants are still required to stop service by midnight and customers must leave by 12:30 a.m. They are also required to continue screening each employee for symptoms prior to the start of each shift and be able to produce screening logs if asked by health department staff.
RCHD staff will inspect bars and restaurants for proper table spacing and compliance with other aspects of the order when they visit to check employee screening logs.
You can read the entire order at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/
