The overall reaction was positive this past week as several government officials and first responders sat in a darkened bay at EMS headquarters and watched via television to Gov. Laura Kelly explain her four-phase plan to reopen Kansas.

The plan’s first phrase, which took effect May 4, came five weeks after Kelly announced an executive stay-at-home order to aggressively mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“Certainly I think there are feelings both ways,” said Ellsworth Mayor Mark Kennedy, one of several city and county officials at the weekly meeting of the Ellsworth County Local Emergency Planning Committee. “We all know it’s going to be a slow reopening. I hope people understand we have to look out for everybody.”

Kennedy said he likes Kelly’s idea of reopening the state in phases.

“It allows people to see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “Hopefully, it gives incentive for people to follow the guidelines and make sure to do the right thing.”

“I’m glad she is working towards opening up the state,” Wilson Mayor Mike Peschka said.

Peschka said he would have liked to see Kelly be a little more aggressive on opening up commerce — especially for the sake of small businesses.

He said Kansas is working towards a new normal — whatever that looks like.

“I’m still trying to process it all,” Holyrood Mayor Brandon Koch said. “Obviously, everything is very cautious.”

“We’ve been through quite an ordeal this last two months,” Kelly said in her announcement. “The breath of change we’ve all been forced to accept in a matter of weeks as been drastic, disorienting and utterly disruptive. But in more ways than one, it has brought out the best in Kansans.”

Kelly described the COVID-19 pandemic as a before and after moment for Kansas, the United States and the entire world.

“In the years ahead, when we reflect on this time, we will instinctively think about life before COVID and after COVID,” she said.

Kelly said Kansans still have a long road ahead of them before they can reflect on the crisis, because COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere for some time.

“But because of the sacrifices you have made in recent weeks and the patriotism you have displayed towards your state and your country by taking this seriously and hunkering down, Kansas has been hit far less hard than other states,” Kelly said.

Phase One of Kelly’s plan began May 4. This and other phases will last a minimum of 14 days (until May 18 for Phase One), depending on the virus. Kelly also gave the counties authority to impose additional restrictions beyond those outlined at the state level.

Kerianne Ehrlich, supervisor of the Ellsworth County Health Department, released Phase One of Ellsworth County’s Reopening Plan Friday afternoon after meeting twice with a small committee of key officials.

Officials are Keith Haberer, emergency management director for Ellsworth and Russell counties; Dr. Ronald Whitmer, Ellsworth County health officer; city attorneys Patrick Hoffman and Theresa Staudinger, Ellsworth County Commission chairman Steve Dlabal, Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 Superintendent Dale Brungardt, Ellsworth County Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bair and Ellsworth County attorney Paul J. Kasper.

“We are talking about things that are going to affect our county — things that are coming up,” Ehrlich said. “One thing that we are going to be discussing in a couple of weeks again is the summertime activities.”

She noted no action has been taken on anything like that, but it is going to be discussed.

“I have some reservations about activities going on this summer,” Ehrlich said. “My health officer, Dr. Whitmer, has a lot of reservations about things going on this summer. That is something we are going to re-evaluate in a couple of weeks. Summertime just scares me.”

Ehrlich said a lot of the things the committee are talking about involve people coming into Ellsworth County from everywhere.

“It just throws a whole lot of red flags for us,” she said.

While Phase One of Kelly’s plan calls for Kansans to minimize or avoid nonessential travel and that they follow Kansas Department of Health and Environment travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas, the Ellsworth County plan for Phase One notes that any individuals who travel outside of the State of Kansas and to Shawnee, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Johnson, Seward, Lyon, Finney, Ford and Sedgwick Counties in Kansas are required to self quarantine for 14 days.

Also in Phase One, under Kelly’s plan all businesses — unless specifically prohibited — can open if they maintain at least six feet distance between consumers (individuals or groups). The businesses must also follow fundamental cleaning and public health practices as well as any industry specific guidelines as provided on covid.ks.gov. Any additional best practices guidance from each business sector is also strongly encouraged. Businesses must also avoid any instances in which groups of more than 10 individuals are in one location and are unable to maintain a 6-foot distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of close proximity. This does not limit total occupancy of a business but requires that businesses limit mass gatherings in areas and instances in which physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as in tables, entrances, lobbies, break rooms and check-out area.

Patrons can now dine in at Ellsworth County restaurants but must follow the established guidelines listed above.

Ellsworth County prohibits the use of self-serve food and drink at businesses in Phase One. This includes but is not limited to fountain drinks, self serve coffee, tea, ice, water, buffets and salad bars.

Phase One of Kelly’s plan notes that when in public, such as in parks, outdoor recreation areas and shopping areas, individuals should maintain a 6- foot distance from others with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.

The Ellsworth County plan for Phase One reopening states that all playground equipment, tennis courts, baseball fields and splash pads remain closed.

Phase Two of Kelly’s plan would begin no earlier than May 18, while Phase Three would begin no earlier than June 1, and Phase Four (Phase Out) would begin no earlier than June 15.

“I’ve had good feedback this weekend from people that have called me to ask questions,” Ehrlich said during Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners.