Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton County Local Health Officer Karen Winkelman and medical consultant Dr. Stanley Hatesohl Thursday afternoon signed an emergency order cracking down on establishments where patrons gather, Assistant County Administrator Donna Zimmerman said.

The order closes all restaurants, dining facilities, bars, taverns, clubs, fitness centers, swimming pools, and any public gathering locations or special event (indoors or outdoors) in the county to the public effective at 12:01 p.m. Friday until further notice. However, any such establishment may continue to provide carry-out, drive-through and delivery of food and beverage services.

In all areas, establishments must follow the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, federal, state, and local public health officials for social distancing and infection control measures.

In addition, the order reemphasizes Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order issued Tuesday that banned gatherings of more than 10.Prohibited are all public gatherings with more than 10 people in attendance or anticipated to attend, both indoors and outdoors, except for governmental functions, judicial functions, and all deemed essential industries as defined by U.S. Homeland Security.

However, the order allowed for the specified establishments to remain open if the six-foot separations were maintained, Zimmerman said. The new county order supersedes that by closing the establishments, she said.

Violation of this order is punishable by law. It will be enforced by city, state and local law enforcement with jurisdiction in the county.