Beginning Friday, November 20 at 5 PM EST, there will be major changes across Kentucky as Gov. Andy Beshear announced new mandates to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Among the biggest changes (most of which have a mandate from Friday, November 20 through Sunday, December 13):
- Restaurants and bars will be closed for indoor dining services (can still do outdoor dining, delivery and to go)
- All middle and high schools and all universities (public AND private) will be required to be virtual through the end of the year beginning November 23rd
- Elementary schools may reopen December 7 if their county is not in the red zone and the school follows all Healthy at Schools guidance
- Event spaces are limited to 25 people per room-including conferences, events, weddings, funerals, etc. (excludes in-person worship services, for which the Governor will provide recommendations Thursday)
- Gyms/pools/fitness/indoor recreation- reduced again to 33% capacity and cannot hold group classes, team practices or competition
- Social gatherings should consist of no more than eight people from two families (your household and one other)
- Professional services encouraged to work from home and if there are people in the office it should be back down to 33% capacity
There will be no changes to:
- Childcare
- Hospitals
- Manufacturing
- Barbers/cosmetologists
- Retail (but must enforce mask mandate)
Because these closures will again negatively impact the service industry, Beshear said the state will be providing a $10,000 stipend to bars and restaurants through a $40 million fund they will make available 12/1.
On Wednesday, Beshear said these mandates represent the state’s 3rd “counter attack against the virus” and strongly stated “this is not and there will not be a shut down.” Instead, he said, the changes are targeted steps to stop the spread and added they are designed to cause the least amount of disruption possible.