Coronavirus causes Memorial Day 2020 cancellations in Wichita and across Kansas

Memorial Day 2020 will be observed on Monday, though the coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic has canceled many traditional events in the Wichita area.

While certain gatherings are permitted as the state reopens, Gov. Laura Kelly has issued safety guidelines for the holiday.

Information on Memorial Day events can be submitted to The Wichita Eagle via email at online@wichitaeagle.com. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

Canceled Events

Wichita

Greenwood Cemetery, 6231 W. 47th St. South — Canceled.

Lakeview Cemetery and Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St. — Canceled.

Resthaven Mortuary & Cemetery, 11800 W. Kellogg — Canceled.

Veterans Memorial Park, 339 N. Veterans Parkway — Canceled.

Winfield

Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, 1208 N. College — The traditional in-person ceremony is canceled. A wreath-laying ceremony will be recorded and posted to the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs Office Facebook page. The agency will also read a roll call of veterans laid to rest at the Winfield, WaKeeney, Fort Dodge and Fort Riley cemeteries in the past year.

“Although we are not having our traditional service, we still invite you to visit your loved one’s graves during the Memorial Day season,” the agency said in a statement. “Please remember to practice social distancing as you do so.”

Kansas National Guard

The Kansas National Guard is typically involved in many ceremonies across the state, including providing speakers, musical performances, honor guards and participating in parades. This year, the National Guard will not be involved in any Memorial Day ceremonies due to the pandemic, which has required the military’s resources.

American Legion speech

The American Legion has publicly released its Memorial Day speech, which can be read at www.legion.org/publications/160982/memorial-day-speech. The speech highlights the coronavirus pandemic, medical professionals in the military and how “often times, deaths from disease and accidents outnumbered casualties caused by enemy weapons.”

Weather forecast

For those who plan to leave their homes during the holiday — whether to pay their respects at a cemetery or to visit family — rain may dampen outdoor activities.

The National Weather Service forecast for Wichita as of Tuesday calls for a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms the night before Memorial Day and a 50% chance during the holiday. Some of the storms could be severe, and flooding may become a concern. The high temperature on Monday will be around 76 degrees.

Governor’s guidelines

Gov. Kelly has issued guidance on how to observe Memorial Day safely. The guidance includes details on permitted and not permitted activities, health tips and travel advice.

What you can do on Memorial Day:

• Have a gathering in your home with 15 or fewer individuals, not including those you live with.
  
  
• Use your backyard pool for any parties as long as mass gathering restrictions are met.
• Have a drive-through parade, as long as no more than 15 individuals are outside the car and unable to maintain social distancing.
• Go to a restaurant with your friends and family as long as that business meets the necessary business requirements.
• Engage in outdoor activities at parks or other public spaces as long as social distancing and mass gathering requirements are met.

What you can’t do on Memorial Day:

• Hold or attend an in-person fair, festival or parade.
• Use community, public and other non-backyard pools for parties or gatherings.
• Use community centers for parties or gatherings.
• Go to bars or nightclubs.
• Have ceremonies or gatherings that violate the mass gathering limit of 15 or more individuals when a 6-foot distance cannot be met except for infrequent or incidental moments of contact.

Additional health tips include:

• Avoid buffets, communal drink stations or other self-serve food stations.
• Use disposable plates and utensils.
• Have cleaning supplies available.
• Clean high-touch surfaces.

• Wear a mask.

• Practice social distancing.
• Avoid large gatherings where social distancing is impossible.
• People handling food should wear gloves and wash hands frequently.
• High-risk individuals should avoid in-person social gatherings.

Travel guidance:

• Minimize nonessential travel.
• Ensure compliance with local requirements when traveling.

• Travel to high-risk areas is strongly discouraged and may subject travelers to quarantine requirements.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment mandates a 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who travel on a cruise ship or river cruise, internationally or to Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York or Rhode Island.

More information from the governor is available at https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Safe-Memorial-Day-Guidance-5.19_Final.pdf.

This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 1:36 PM.