Recovery Guidance
Last Content Update:
-
School Guidance
Visit this page to find the latest guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in schools. Includes links to school data and additional tools for parents and educators.
-
Face Masks and Coverings
Masks are not currently required in Clay County, however they are still an effective tool that can be used for preventing COVID-19. Learn more about how masks work and how to wear them.
March 2022
CDC recently updated COVID-19 guidance for communities. This guidance recommends different levels of prevention measures for each county, based on new cases, hospital admissions and hospital capacity. The Clay County Public Health team is currently updating the Clay County Data Hub to align with this way of evaluating the impact of COVID and making recommendations.
As of March 3, based on CDC data, Clay County is ranked Medium. The recommendations at this level are:
- Get tested if you have any symptoms
- Stay up to date with COVID vaccination
- If you are at high risk of severe illness, talk to your health care provider about continuing to wear a mask and take other precautions.
- We additionally want to recommend that anyone who lives with someone at high risk to continue masking while the community is at this level.
Our message remains the same: masks can be an effective tool for helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. You may choose to wear a mask no matter what community level you are in.
As COVID levels continue to improve in our area, we want to say thank you for all the sacrifices you have made to help keep our community safe.
May 2021
In response to updated guidance* from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and improvements in local case, hospitalization and vaccination rates, the Clay County Public Health Emergency Order expired Friday, May 14, 2021.Anyone who is not fully vaccinated should continue to take precautions such as wearing a well-fitted mask, staying six feet or more from those they don't live with and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Businesses and organizations may still choose to require certain COVID-19 precautions, such as masking or physical distancing, in a manner they deem most appropriate to protect staff and customers. Clay County Public Health Center's guidance to schools remains the same.
“More than ever, it is important that those who have the option to get vaccinated choose to do so,” said Director of Public Health Gary E. Zaborac. “Yesterday’s update from the CDC is certainly very welcome guidance for a pandemic-weary country and it highlights the importance and success of vaccination as the best tool we have to end this pandemic and protect the people in our community.”
Currently, anyone 5 and older is eligible to receive vaccination against COVID-19. There are many opportunities in Clay County to walk-in or make an appointment for vaccination. Find a full list on our Where to Get Vaccinated page.
As of January 11, 2022, 51% residents (18+) in Clay County Public Health Center's jurisdiction have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
[*Updated CDC guidance July 2021: To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area.]
Clay County Recovery Plan
The Clay County COVID-19 Recovery Plan was created to help guide businesses, organizations and individuals during the pandemic.
Clay County COVID-19 Recovery Plan (7.14.20)
Currently: Phase 4
More of a visual person? Check out the Recovery Plan Infographic. Also available in a printable format.
You can also get a better look at the Risk Assessment Tool included in the recovery plan that identifies ways for various sectors to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
- When will the emergency order expire?
- Are there mask requirements in Clay County?
- What are things businesses can do to keep employees and customers safe?
- What are additional things restaurants, taverns, and bars can do to promote safety?
- What is CCPHC currently recommending to schools and early childcare?
Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, it is incredibly important that every individual and business remember these four Recovery Essentials that will help prevent the spread of disease and protect our community:
- High-risk persons should continue to stay home except for essential activities. Anyone who is sick should also stay at home.
- Wear a face mask/covering when interacting with others outside your home.
- Always maintain physical distancing (six feet) from anyone you do not live with.
- Maintain the highest levels of cleaning and hygiene.
Communication Toolkit
- Face Masks Required
- Face Masks Recommended
- Six Feet Apart - 8.5x11*
- Six Feet Apart - 11x17
- Six Feet Apart - 8.5x11 - Spanish
- Business Entrance Sign 11x17*
- Business Entrance Sign - Spanish
- Back to School Posters
- Back to School Posters - Spanish
- Non-English Resources
- Wash Your Hands - 8.5x11
- Stay Healthy, Wash Your Hands - 11x17
- Back to Basics Social Media Graphic
- Back to Basics Graphic - Spanish
- Missouri Resource Toolkit
- CDC Posters & Other Print Resources
- CDC Resources For Migrants, Refugees, and Other Limited-English-Proficient Populations @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Make a Complaint
To report a Clay County business that you believe is not following the guidelines and prioritizing the safety of its staff and customers, please submit a complaint here.
PLEASE NOTE: if the business' address is Kansas City, you must contact the Kansas City Health Department.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- KC PPE
- Missouri PPE Marketplace
- State of Missouri SNS Order Form (health care facilities)
- State of Missouri PPE Information
- Missouri companies that will perform qualitative and/or quantitative fit testing of N95 respirators.
- Cloth face masks can be used as back up, especially in non-medical settings.
- If interested in purchasing a large amount of PPE, please contact covid19@clayhealth.com for additional resources. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Additional Guidance
Looking for even more guidance for your business, organization, outing or gathering? Check out the CDC's website and the links below:
- Business Guidance if a Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19 (Clay County PHC)
- Prepare Metro KC Re-Entry Resources
- Comeback KC's Risk Assessment Tool
- Cleaning & Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC)
- Workplaces and Businesses (CDC)
- Daily Activities & Going Out (CDC)
- Healthy Business Operations and Reducing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace (CDC)