By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Barton County had already closed public access to all county buildings. The City of Great Bend did the same and closed city parks. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced there could be not gatherings of 10 or more and to keep a distance of six feet between each other.
So why was the Emergency Order signed into effect last Friday in Barton County to close all restaurants, bars, clubs and fitness centers?
Barton County Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman says she was notified by Interim Health Director Karen Winkelman that they should meet. The meeting was over a concern that certain restaurants were not following set guidelines.
"There we concerns that local restaurants had inside dining where people were potentially closer than the six-foot distancing guideline," said Zimmerman.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, Winkelman recommended the community mitigation strategy to increase containment of the virus. The closures are in effect until further notice. Violation of the order is punishable by law and can be enforced by any law enforcement officer with jurisdiction in Barton County.
Restaurants are still able to perform carryout, delivery, and drive-thru food and beverage services.