Recovery Guidance

Last Content Update:

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.]

FB Cover Jan 2022

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.

  1. When will the emergency order expire?
  2. Are there mask requirements in Clay County?
  3. What are things businesses can do to keep employees and customers safe?
  4. What are additional things restaurants, taverns, and bars can do to promote safety?
  5. What is CCPHC currently recommending to schools and early childcare?
View All FAQs

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:

  1. High-risk persons should continue to stay home except for essential activities. Anyone who is sick should also stay at home.
  2. Wear a face mask/covering when interacting with others outside your home.
  3. Always maintain physical distancing (six feet) from anyone you do not live with.
  4. Maintain the highest levels of cleaning and hygiene.
The goal is to not return to a stay-at-home order, however, if at any time COVID-19 disease rates demonstrate the need to return to those measures, the public health order will be amended.

Communication Toolkit

We encourage businesses and other organizations to use/print the following posters and other graphics to spread awareness about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

*These signs are printed and available for pick-up from Clay County Public Health Center, your local city hall (Liberty, Gladstone, NKC, Excelsior Springs) or chamber of commerce (Smithville, Kearney).

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)

If you are a business looking for supplies to protect your employees, check out these resources.
Six Feet Apart Poster

Additional Guidance


Looking for even more guidance for your business, organization, outing or gathering? Check out the CDC's website and the links below: