FRANKFORT, Ky. – If rules can be followed soon you will be able to see and spend time with a small group of friends.
Governor Andy Beshear (D) laid out the states' plan to gradually reopen businesses Wednesday.
The tentative reopening schedule spells out dates and types of businesses that can participate in the phase one opening. Beshear warned that in all cases, you can't expect business as usual and everyone will need to pay strict attention to the 10 rules to reopening along with industry-specific requirements.
“We’ve got to do this right. I believe we can do this right,” Beshear said. “When we phase back in to work, remember, you don’t need an in-person meeting. Use the telephone. And now that we are starting to open up health care, see your doctor if you need to.”
Beshear said that as long as Kentucky keeps up the fight against the coronavirus with promising results, the following business sectors are in line to restart:
- May 11 – Manufacturing, construction, vehicle and vessel dealerships, professional services (at 50% of pre-outbreak capacity), horse racing (without spectators), pet grooming and boarding
- May 20 – Retail, houses of worship
- May 25 – Social gatherings of no more than 10 people, barbers, salons, cosmetology businesses, and similar services
“We were able to come to an agreement yesterday with Churchill Downs. They will start accepting horses and people on the backside of the track May 11,” said Beshear.
Churchill Downs said it is also taking a phased approach to opening the stable areas. Opening day of the 2020 Spring Meet will be without spectators and the track plans to announce plans for the meet in the coming days.
“We truly appreciate the leadership of Governor Beshear and all of the hard work and guidance that state and local officials and public health experts have provided us to safely reopen,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “The health and safety of our horsemen, staff, and community remains paramount. Strict compliance with our comprehensive COVID-19 Action Plan and social distancing guidelines is our responsible duty to effectively contain the virus.”
Beshear said that for May 20, houses of worship would be allowed in-person services at a reduced capacity and that everything is contingent on being able to do social distancing, cleaning, sanitation, and other accommodations.
“A crowd is still going to be a dangerous thing until we are further along in defeating this virus,” Beshear said. “It’s something we need to continue to avoid.”
But while there are some areas of business that will be allowed to open, others including restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, campgrounds, youth sports, summer camps, public pools, and daycares.
“Another that we want to be in Phase 2 is gyms. Later, but not in Phase 1: movie theaters, campgrounds, and youth sports. We hope this summer, and we don’t know if it will be in June or perhaps early July, we hope that we will be able to do some youth sports,” the Governor said.
The Department for Public Health will evaluate individual businesses' ability to reopen. The governor still wants to hear from industry groups and trade associations about their plans to reopen. Plans can be submitted online.
All proposals will be evaluated according to White House guidelines and other public health criteria. This step will ensure that Kentucky businesses can comply with public health protocols and CDC guidelines.