photo by: Lauren Fox

Susan Nyp administers a vaccine at Douglas County's mass vaccination clinic on April 28.

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health will recommend that the Douglas County Commission remove a current public health order that includes a mask mandate, but LDCPH still recommends residents take steps to limit the spread of COVID-19, the agency said in a news release Monday.

Douglas County commissioners will consider the recommendation as part of their 5:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday.

The CDC last week updated its guidance, which Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has adopted, so that fully vaccinated people should no longer be required to wear masks indoors or outdoors or to physically distance, except in circumstances such as those required by businesses, public transportation or health care facilities.

“We are excited that our number of new cases and hospitalizations have come down significantly right now, and we are proud so many Douglas County residents 12 and older have come forward to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Thomas Marcellino, Douglas County’s local health officer, in Monday’s release.

Marcellino said the health department recognized “the complexities of implementing the CDC guidance, including challenges of telling if someone is fully vaccinated.” He said the department strongly recommended that people continue to wear masks in indoor public spaces and that businesses and organizations continue to use social distancing.

The current local public health order includes a mask mandate for anyone older than 5 in indoor public spaces or outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible. It also includes a 50% capacity restriction on indoor businesses and most public venues, though it allows businesses and venues to opt out of the occupancy restrictions with written notice and by posting signage at the entrance.

The health officers continue to recommend Smart & Safe guidelines for businesses and organizations, the release said, and they encourage individuals and businesses to join the Lawrence Promise as a way to use signage to show their commitment to smart and safe practices to prevent COVID-19.

“With the updated CDC guidance, we also encourage anyone 12 or older to get vaccinated by finding an appointment at LDCHealth.org/COVIDVaccine,” Marcellino said.

More information about Douglas County’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts is available at douglascountyks.org/coronavirus.