Stay-at-home order goes into effect Tuesday, March 24

Beginning at 12:01 a.m., on Tuesday, March 24, a Johnson County Emergency Public Health Order goes into effect and remains until 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. The order mandates residents to stay at home, with the exception of essential activities, which are described in the order. Read the Johnson County order.

Consideration after 30 days will be given of whether to prolong these orders beyond that date, based on public health and critical care information available at that time.

Examples of essential businesses and services that will remain open during this time:

• Government services
• Infrastructure projects
• Child care
• Health care
• Grocery stores
• Pharmacies
• Delivery/carry-out/drive-through services from restaurants

Watch at the bottom of this email a replay of the news conference on Sunday, March 22, at which details of regional stay-at-home orders were shared.

Enforcement of new order

Johnson County is receiving many inquiries about how to report a business that may not be complying with the county’s most recent Emergency Public Health Order about essential activities and businesses.

If the public is seeking enforcement of the Health Officer Emergency Order with regard to their own place of employment, they can contact the company’s human resources or legal departments. Otherwise, residents who are concerned about compliance are encouraged to contact their municipal police department. Those phone numbers are available online. DO NOT CALL 911. Please use the administrative number.

Call center taking calls regarding emergency orders

Johnson County is receiving many call, emails and social media messages from residents who have specific questions regarding the most recent order outlined above. We are working to answer these questions as quickly as possible.

To help us get you the information you need to abide by the order that goes into effect Tuesday, we invite you to call our call center. 

Customer service for questions about order
913-715-5000
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday- Friday 

Spanish language interpreters are also standing by to take calls at the same number. You may remain anonymous.

You can also read answers to some of the common questions we've already received about the order. 

Customer service is additionally available online. Go to the bottom of the page to submit your questions through a form. Responses will be made through email.

Johnson County Community COVID-19 hotline also open

A hotline is also available to help address your virus-related questions. You can remain anonymous. 

Johnson County Community Hotline
913-715-CV19 (2819)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Spanish language available through same number

You can also call the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317, after business hours.

State issues mandates for 14-day quarantine

On Wednesday, March 18, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued new mandates for quarantine and isolation of travelers, along with close contacts and those being tested.

14-day home quarantine is mandated for Kansans who have:

• Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (currently California, Florida, New York and Washington state), on or after March 15
• Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin or Gunnison counties in Colorado in the week prior to March 15 or after

Current guidance if you're sick

• Do not visit the ER for mild illness, isolate at home and away from family for at least seven days or for 72 hours after symptoms are gone.
• Call your doctor with severe symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath).
• Testing is for the sickest patients who are seriously ill and require admission to the hospital.

Johnson County departments announce changes or precautions for county services due to pandemic

Johnson County programs and services have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. This information is updated as changes are made. Please check this webpage often regarding court services, human services programs through Johnson County Park & Recreation District and much more.

Pay attention to your physical and mental health

As information changes daily regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, this time of uncertainty can create an elevated sense of anxiety. The Johnson County Mental Health Center is offering resources for families and individuals to help.

Check out these resources on the Johnson County Mental Health Center webpage.

Have questions? We have answers

We've created a webpage for the common questions surrounding COVID-19. Topics include how to identify symptoms, how it's spread, who's at risk and much more. Check back often. As more questions come in, we'll continue to update answers.