Kansas governor issues executive order requiring masks in public amid coronavirus case surge

As COVID-19 cases surge across the country, more and more states are mandating face masks in public places. Next on the list is the state of Kansas. After cases begin to skyrocket chances are all states will require face masks in any public venue. This could last until most of the population is vaccinated. 

Written by Brooke Singman for Fox News:

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, issued an executive order on Thursday mandating the use of face masks or coverings in public beginning Friday in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state.

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The governor added: “Remember—my mask protects you, and your mask protects me. We’re all in this together.”

Under the order, Kelly has mandated that Kansans must wear masks in stores and shops, restaurants, and in any situation in which social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained, including outside.

The order does not apply to children under the age of 6, the deaf, or people with medical conditions that make breathing through a mask difficult or that would prevent them from removing a mask without assistance.

Kelly said that the Kansas attorney general’s office will work closely with officials in her administration to ensure that the order complies with Kansas law.

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"All of us want to return to our normal lives and routines," Kelly said in a statement Thursday. ”Unfortunately, we have seen a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across our state and our country. We must act.”

Kansas has reported nearly 15,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus since the pandemic started in early March and had reported 272 COVID-19-related deaths as of Wednesday. Since Kelly lifted statewide restrictions on businesses and public gatherings immediately after Memorial Day, Kansas has had 5,653 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, which amounted to a 61 percent increase, and 84 deaths -- a 45 percent jump.