Mar 27, 2020

Saline County: 30-day stay-at-home order begins Monday

Posted Mar 27, 2020 8:38 PM
<b>Robert Vidricksen, Saline County Commission chair opened the news conference.</b> Photos courtesy City of Salina video feed
Robert Vidricksen, Saline County Commission chair opened the news conference. Photos courtesy City of Salina video feed

Saline County will be under a 30-day stay-at-home order beginning 12:01 a.m. Monday.

READ: Kelly issues stay-at-home order for state of Kansas

That was the announcement at this afternoon's news conference. As of the news conference, no confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the county.

Watch a replay of the news conference

Saline County Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen announced that at 8:46 a.m. Friday morning, he declared a local state of emergency for the county. This declaration allows for the county to establish measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community. 

<b>Jason Tiller, Saline County health officer</b>
Jason Tiller, Saline County health officer

Saline County Health Department Director Jason Tiller, who also is the county health officer, announced that he had signed a 30-day "safer-at-home" order for the county that begins at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Tiller said it was never a matter of whether such a measure was necessary, but rather when the time was appropriate to issue such an order.

"It is imparative that people take this seriously and limit any movement about town unless it is absolutely essential," Tiller said. "This includes travel to other counties where there is widespread transmition."

Tiller said he was well aware of the economic impact such an order would have.

"It is our solemn responsibility to put the health of the public first," Tiller said.

According to Tiller, the 30-day order can be extended if circumstances require an extension.

"Citizens are directed to stay home and only leave their residences to perform essential activities such as seeking medical attention or going to a medical appointment, obtaining necessary supplies such as food and medicine for yourself and your family members, traveling to and from an essential job," Tiller said.

He said that essential businesses will remain open but noted that "those businesses must take proactive measures to comply with the social distancing requirements."

"Saline County will not require any paperwork or card from a business to identify employees traveling to an essential business," Tiller said.

<b>Salina Mayor Mike Hoppock</b>
Salina Mayor Mike Hoppock

Salina Mayor Hoppock commented that the city is focused on essential services. He read a memo from Salina Police Chief Brad Nelson stating that the Police Department is aware that questions will arise on the stay-at-home order. Law enforcement is asking for citizens to voluntarily comply with this order. Hoppock asked citizens to adopt the motto, “Sacrificing 30 days of my life to save a life.”

To read the stay-at-home order, click here.

To read Saline County's list of frequently asked questions, click here.