Non-essential Wichita businesses violating coronavirus order can expect enforcement: Cops

Non-essential businesses violating the coronavirus stay-at-home order can expect enforcement to pick up, law enforcement and public health officials said.

The news came in a statement issued Thursday by the Wichita Police Department in conjunction with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Sedgwick County Health Department and Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. The warning to businesses follows reports of alleged violations being filed by people in the community.

Law enforcement officials said educating businesses on the stay-at-home order “has been largely successful.”

Area companies that have been deemed non-essential but have continued to operate were sent notices this week from the Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department.

The statement from the government agencies says they “expect the companies who receive the letter will understand the situation and comply. If violations continue after the receipt of a letter from the Health Department, the business can be charged with a class-A misdemeanor and face fines or other penalties.”

“The stay-at-home order is not ideal for any community,” the statement continues. “However, the order is authorized by state law. Abiding by this order is essential to protect our community by stopping the spread of this deadly virus. The faster we stop the spread, the quicker we can all get back to normal.”

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports that 1,106 people have tested positive in the state, 161 of which are in Sedgwick County. There have been 42 deaths, including two Sedgwick County residents. Patients from Cowley and Sumner counties have died while hospitalized in Sedgwick County.