After two weeks of either being closed or operating at a reduced indoor capacity, Kentucky bars and restaurants are both allowed to reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 11 with 50% capacity inside and unlimited outdoor seating.
However, they are now subject to some additional regulations — including a last call curfew for both food and drink service at 10 p.m.
“If we don’t (reopen bars), people are pushed toward large house parties, as we’ve seen in other states, where absolutely no rules are followed,” said Gov. Andy Beshear during a press briefing. “Our goal is to have the right structured rules where people can have that outlet if they’re looking for it, but to be in a safe place and for it to be done in a safe manner.”
La Tasha Buckner, general counsel and chief of staff, outlined the requirements for hospitality businesses, which include that everyone must remain seated whether they are in a restaurant or bar and there must be 6 feet of space between tables/groups — that means no ordering at the bar; only table service. And if you aren’t actively eating or drinking at your table, you should be masked.
Bars and restaurants must also close by 11 p.m.
The biggest change, Beshear said, is the enforced seating rule at bars. The only time you should be getting up at a bar is to go to the bathroom (or to enter or exit the building).
“We just want to make sure with this fresh start everybody gets off to the best start and we can keep things open and nothing contributes to the spread of the virus,” Buckner said.
“By following this, we hope that everyone can stay open and we can enjoy these great restaurants and bars that we have in Kentucky.”
Beshear also urged restaurants — and bars — to continue to seat “as many people outside as you can.”
“The fewer positive cases we have in or related to restaurants — nationwide and here in Kentucky — the better for people, the better for your restaurant,” he said. “Again, it’s not fair that you’ve borne the brunt of so much of this and we hope that we can help revive so many of your businesses that I know you’ve poured your heart and your soul into.”
Beshear extended the state’s public face mask mandate for an addition 30 days.
Here are details on the renewed mask mandate, which you can read in full at governor.ky.gov.
When do you have to wear a mask?
You have to wear a face mask or some kind of covering that goes over your nose and mouth:
- While inside or waiting in line to get into a retail establishment, grocery store, pharmacy, hair salon/barbershop, nail salon/spa, tattoo parlor, child care facility, restaurant or bar (when not seated and not consuming food or drink), health care setting, or any other indoor public space where you can’t get 6 feet apart from those who aren’t a member of your household.
- While waiting for or riding in public transportation or paratransit, or while riding in a taxi, private car service or ride share, or if you’re driving any of those while a customer is present.
- While in an outdoor public space when you can’t maintain 6 feet of social distance from humans that aren’t in your household.
When don’t you have to wear a mask?
- If you’re seated at a bar or restaurant and actively eating or drinking.
- If you’re getting some kind of service, like getting your teeth cleaned, where you need to take off your face mask.
- If you need to remove your mask to be identified for security or screening purposes.
- If you’re giving a speech or broadcast to an audience and you can maintain 6 feet of distance from them.
- If you’re in a lake, pool or other body of water.
- If you’re actively exercising in a gym or other indoor facility as long as you can maintain 6 feet of distance from other people.
- If you’re actively participating in an athletic practice, scrimmage or competition as outlined in the Healthy at Work requirements.
- If you’re actively engaged in a lawful activity where federal or state law prohibits a face mask.
- If you’re engaged in work that a state or federal regulator has concluded would make wearing a face covering a risk to your health or safety.
Who is exempt?
- Children under 5.
- Anyone with a disability or physical or mental impairment that prevents them from safely wearing a face covering.
- Anyone who is hearing impaired or is communicating with the hearing impaired where seeing the mouth is an essential part of communication.
This article appears in The Burger Issue 2020.