County commissioners approve restriction of public gatherings at special meeting held on March 26th

(The following article is taken in part from the unapproved March 26th Rooks County Commission special meeting minutes.)

The Rooks County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting for the purpose of approving a letter from the Rooks County Health Department to be given to the local restaurants on Thursday, March 26th. Those present for the meeting were the commissioners John Ruder, Corky Hagan and Greg Balthazor. County clerk Ruthmary Muir was present to write the minutes.

County health nurse Lori Eichman had presented the county clerk with an order from the Board of Health/Health Officer/Health Department Administrator prohibiting or restricting public gatherings. Eichman needed the commissioners’ approval before presenting this order to the local restaurants. This order was issued under the Authority granted by K.S.A. 65-119(a) and other related statutes. Ruder made a motion to approve the Rooks County Health Department Administrator distributing this order to the local restaurants. Hagan seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed. This order temporarily prohibits mass gatherings of ten (10) or more people to limit the spread of COVID-19. The basis for this order is per Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s Executive Order No. 20-14 on March 24th, 2020.

This order will remain in effect until rescinded by the County Board of Health or County Health Officer until May 1st, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency proclaimed on March 12th, 2020, relating to COVID-19 expires, whichever is earlier. Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Lori Eichman, Rooks County Health Department Administrator, at 785-425-7352, or in person at Rooks County Health Department, 426 Main St., Stockton, KS 67669.