After Kansas City saw a nearly 50% drop in COVID-19 cases for ages 18-29, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced he will extend closing times for bars and restaurants from 10 p.m. to midnight starting Jan. 13, following suit with other cities in the region.

Restaurants and bars will still have the same rules as before like enforcing social distancing and mask wearing and filling no more than 50% of building capacity. There is also still a 10-person limit for indoor gatherings.

While pleased with the decreased hospitalization and infection rates, Lucas said Kansas City is still in the middle of a health crisis, so he extended the state of emergency to May 1.

Kansas City Director of Health Rex Archer said he wanted to remind people that there are vaccines coming, despite the slow roll-out.

“We’d be lucky if we can give one dose to every 500 that should be getting it for a while,” he said. “It’s going to take a while before the doses come in.”

In the meantime, Archer suggests filling out the vaccine survey so you can be contacted when it is available for you based on Missouri’s vaccination plan.

Here is a list of online places to respond to the survey based on where you live or veteran’s status:

• KCMO Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Sign-up: https://hipaa.jotform.com/210117358088152

• Jackson County COVID-19 Vaccine Sign-up: https://form.jotform.com/203524953651153

• VA Hospital COVID-19 Vaccine Sign-up hotline for Veterans: 816-922-2619

• UG-KCK COVID-19 Vaccine Sign-up: https://us.openforms.com/Form/2f2bcc68-3b6a-450b-9007-d39819db6572

• Johnson County, Ks. COVID-19 Vaccine Sign-up-Phase 2 only: https://redcap.jocogov.org/surveys/?s=8KWLNLWWHL

Lucas also announced that Kansas City is collaborating with Hope Faith Homeless Assistance Campus and a local hotel to provide hotel rooms to houseless people in Kansas City. Hope Faith is helping families move in and connecting them to resources. The program will run through April.

If you or someone you know needs emergency shelter, please call 816-471-HOPE.