May 15, 2020
Governor Kelly Announces Phase 1.5
Governor Laura Kelly announced yesterday a revision of her initial reopening plan to insert Phase 1.5 which includes more restrictions on businesses than Phase 2 initially proposed. Phase 1.5 takes effect on May 18 and continues to limit gatherings to no more than 10 individuals. It allows for the reopening of fitness centers and gyms, nail salons, barber shops, hair salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, other personal service businesses to open, but only for pre-scheduled appointments or online check-ins. Bars/nightclubs, theaters, arcades, swimming pools and several other types of businesses are required to remain closed during Phase 1.5. Counties can decide to be more restrictive but do not have the ability to be less restrictive than the Governor’s plan. More info on the revised plan can be found here . 
Sedgwick County Releases Health & Economic Recovery Plan
To maintain the health and safety of Sedgwick County residents the Commissioners and County officials have released the Sedgwick County Health & Economic Recovery Plan .
Commissioners approved the plan developed by County officials in coordination with a team of key stakeholders in business and industry sectors. These stakeholders have their fingers on the pulse of their industries and connections with counterparts across city and in some cases, the country. The plan includes guidance and recommendations to increase economic functions and aspects of social life that have been limited such as best practices for business and industries in terms of employee and customer health and safety and general guidelines for individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones and neighbors.
Wichita Resource Center Updates Include Industry Specific Guidance
Are you looking for guidance in your specific industry for what needs to be done for you to be open or reopen for business during the COVID-19 pandemic? The Wichita Resource Center is being updated daily with additional guides and work plans for various industries. Below is a list of industries with samples under Industry Examples in the Re-Igniting the Local Economy section. 
At-Home Service Providers
Childcare Programs
Construction
General Office Settings
Grocery
Gym & Workout Facilities
Hair & Nail Salons
Manufacturing
Restaurants & Bars
Retailers
Repair & Maintenance Shops
Youth Programs & Camps
Mitigating Business Risk Webinar Now Available
We all recognize that reopening for business also includes some new challenges. On May 14 we held a Facebook Live discussion on mitigating business risks upon COVID-19 reopening. Shelbye Smith (iSi Environmental Services) moderated the session and was joined by Teresa Shulda (Foulston Siefkin) and MaryJean Bogner-Wary (National Screening Bureau).

Good Deeds in Hard Times
Logo Depot donated hundreds of Wichita Flag heart stickers to hospitals in the Wichita area to support the front line nurses and staff works who have been affected by COVID-19. The stickers featured the Wichita Flag and emphasized that we are "stronger together".
 
Do you know other Chamber members doing good deeds?   Email us   for the opportunity to highlight them here.
Look for these UPDATES to the Wichita Resource Center


Reopening Guidance:

May 15 | Article: OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 |  Read

May 15 | Article: U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Ready to Reopen: A Playbook for Your Small Business |  Read

May 14 | Webinar: Wichita Chamber with Foulston Siefkin, iSi Environmental Services & National Screening Bureau: Mitigating Business Risk During COVID-19 Reopenings | View Recording

May: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Path Forward: Navigating the Return to Work |  View Recordings
The Chamber will be reposting resources and offers through our social media channels from experts and reputable sources.