Possible backtrack for Kansas reopening plan

On Monday, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the possibility that the state will need to backtrack on the four-phase Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas.

Kelly says that if coronavirus cases continue increase, she will recommend that counties across the state move back to Phase 2 of the plan.

Backtracking to this phase would mean mass gatherings would be limited to 15 people and bars and clubs would be forced to close again, according to reporting by KSNT.

Phase 2 would also mean no summer camps, fairs or festivals and public swimming pools would have to close.

GOP lawmakers in the state have been critical of Kelly’s handling of the pandemic, arguing that it’s inappropriate for her to impose “one size fits all” measures on a state where the number of infections per 1,000 residents varies widely, reports Fox 4 News.

On May 26 when Kelly lifted statewide restrictions on businesses and public gatherings, and has since issued a mask mandate on July 2 (although many counties opted out) and has sought to delay the reopening of public and private K-12 schools until after Labor Day.

Kelly said plans to issue a new order next week if the spread of the coronavirus doesn’t show to have slowed.