FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced Thursday that Kentuckians must wear face coverings in many situations if the state is going to stop the increase of COVID-19 cases and continue to reopen the economy safely.

What You Need To Know


  • Masks now required in Kentucky in many situations

  • Beshear signed executive order July 9

  • Order will last for the next 30 days, additional steps and/or extension will be evaluated

“The No. 1 thing a mask can do is protect the health and the life of yourself and those around you,” said Beshear. “It can make sure we don’t lose more people than we should, it can keep our cases down and it can help us continue to reopen our economy.”

According to health experts, wearing face coverings not only protects others, but it also lowers the infection rate for those wearing masks by 65 percent. Beshear also cited analysis from Goldman Sachs showing that if everyone in America were required to wear face coverings in public, it could keep the U.S. economy from losing five percent of its gross domestic product.

So far, 22 states have implemented some sort of order on face coverings.

 

 

Kentucky’s new executive order requires Kentuckians to wear face coverings under several circumstances for the next 30 days. The order will be evaluated during that time to determine any additional steps or extension.

The governor will host an additional press briefing Friday, July 10 at 4.m. EDT.

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