COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas

Government efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Kansas became highly politicized after Governor Laura Kelly and the state's Republican-led legislature clashed over measures to be taken in reopening the economy and the mandating of masks in late May.

She described COVID-19 as an "unprecedented challenge", and urged residents to be careful, practice "common sense safety measures", and respect those who are most vulnerable.

[13] A stricter limit of 10 people was imposed by Johnson County and the Unified Government of Wyandotte (including the Kansas City metropolitan area), in partnership with local governments in Jackson County and Kansas City, Missouri, as well as the closing of all bars, restaurants, and theaters for at least 15 days effective March 17.

[20] On April 30, Governor Kelly announced a phased lifting of restrictions titled Ad Astra, with non-essential businesses, churches, and dine-in restaurants allowed to re-open (subject to social distancing) beginning May 4.

She then announced that all state-wide executive orders would be rescinded and shift to guidance only, and that lifting or maintaining restrictions would now become the responsibility of individual counties.

[1][2][3] On June 7, The Wichita Eagle obtained a classified KDHE document via the Brown Institute for Media Innovation, which identified the Lansing Correctional Facility as the state's largest outbreak as of May 19, followed by a Tyson Foods plant.

[24] On June 29, Governor Kelly announced that a statewide order would be implemented to require the wearing of face masks in public spaces when social distancing is not possible, beginning July 3.

[5] The order proved divisive: the Anderson County Review attracted controversy for publishing a Holocaust-themed political cartoon criticizing the order online, showing a drawing of Governor Kelly in a Star of David mask in front of a photo of Jews on a train, captioned "Lockdown Laura says: put on your mask, and step onto the cattle car.

"[30] In October 2020, a 59-year-old was arrested for threatening to kidnap and murder Mayor of Wichita Brandon Whipple over a local mask mandate.

[34] On December 15, Mayor of Dodge City Joyce Warshaw resigned effective immediately, after having received threats over her support of a mask mandate.

[40] On March 12, concerns over the virus caused a month long suspension of Major League Soccer's 2020 season affecting Sporting Kansas City.

[42] Also on March 12, Champions Indoor Football announced a 30-day delay of season affecting the Salina Liberty and Wichita Force.