Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has issued some updates to the Commonwealth’s reopening guidelines, which will now allow for larger group gatherings starting June 29.
The new guidelines let restaurants operate at 50% capacity, instead of 33%, and permit gatherings of up to 50 people.
By June 29, Beshear said, most businesses/events in the Commonwealth will be open in some capacity, including bars, weddings, pools, youth sports and even Kentucky Kingdom, an amusement park.
Beshear also asked Kentuckians to keep a 50% lifestyle in mind as the commonwealth reopens, which he said involves doing 50 percent of what one would normally do in a given day.
“If you would have gone to lunch and gone to dinner, just do one," Beshear said. “If you would have gone to a certain number of meetings with others out there, cut them in half.”
Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky commissioner of public health emphasized the importance of continuing social distancing, wearing masks, checking temperatures and using hand sanitizer.
“Despite reopening, there are small things we have to do until we get a vaccine or treatment,” he said.
Stack added that Kentucky can only stay open if people follow the state’s guidelines and recommendations.
“This is a dangerous disease,” he said. “We are seeing in other states dramatic surges in virus cases.”
As of June 22, Kentucky has 13,839 COVID-19 cases, and 352,215 Kentuckians have been tested. No new deaths were reported on Monday, but so far the toll is at 526. Additionally, 3,534 Kentuckians have recovered.
Beshear noted that Kentucky’s hospital beds are currently at 50 percent occupancy and ICU occupancy is at 70 percent. He said 349 Kentuckians are currently hospitalized while 67 are currently in the ICU due to coronavirus.
Beshear said that he would discuss reopening guidelines for schools during Wednesday’s press conference.
