Beshear announces new COVID-19 restrictions

The number of Kentuckians diagnosed with COVID-19, hospitalized with the disease, admitted to the ICU and put on a ventilator because of complications from the virus continues to rise week after week, Beshear said. He fears the state may experience what other states are experiencing if drastic measures aren’t taken.

He said if Kentuckians do not take drastic measures to control the statewide outbreak, we will soon experience other states’ alarming current reality: New York has had to reopen a field hospital in Staten Island due to accelerating hospitalizations; in Wisconsin, the Mayo Clinic has been forced to put hospital beds in lobbies and a parking garage because hospitals have exceeded 100% capacity; and 22% of hospitals nationwide say they will face a critical staff shortage in the next week.

Following a record 33 deaths announced Nov. 17, Beshear issued new restrictions Nov. 18 in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

“Since March 6 – the day Kentucky had its first confirmed case – we have been under attack and at war with the coronavirus. It has upended our routines, damaged our economy, threatened our children’s education and taken far too many lives,” Gov. Beshear said in his virtual press briefing last Wednesday. “Now, it is time for Kentucky’s third counterattack on the coronavirus. Let me be clear about a few things. This is not, and will not be, a shutdown. Our economy is open, and there will be no closings based on essential or nonessential services. But today we are announcing significant, but surgical and targeted steps designed to slow the spread of the virus and protect our people.”

The new restrictions include:

Restaurants, Bars – No indoor food or beverage consumption; carryout and delivery encouraged; socially distance outdoor seating

To help offset the financial impact on restaurants and bars, the Governor also announced he is dedicating $40 million in CARES Act funding to provide qualifying entities $10,000 in relief for various expenses, with a maximum award of $20,000 per business entity. Businesses with at least 50% of their sales via drive-through will not be eligible. To focus on locally owned businesses, publicly traded companies are not eligible to apply. Applications are scheduled to open Nov. 30 and close Dec. 18. Businesses will be required to remain in compliance with all public health orders. Applications will be processed in the order they are received, and funds will be awarded until they are exhausted.

Private social gatherings – Up to eight people from a maximum of two households

Gyms, fitness centers, pools, other indoor recreation facilities – 33% capacity limit; group classes, team practices and competitions prohibited; masks must be worn while exercising

Venues, event spaces and theaters – Each room will be limited to 25 people. This applies to indoor weddings and funerals, but excludes in-person worship services, for which the Governor will provide recommendations Thursday.

Professional services – Office-based businesses limited to 33% of employees; all employees who are able to work from home must do so; all businesses that can close to the public must do so.

Schools – Beginning Monday, Nov. 23, all public and private schools (K -12) should cease in-person instruction:

• Middle and high schools will remain in remote or virtual instruction until at least Jan. 4, 2021.

• Elementary schools may reopen for in-person instruction Dec. 7 if their county is not in the red zone and the school follows all Healthy at School guidance.

The Governor said requirements for restaurants; bars; social gatherings; indoor fitness and recreation centers; venues and theaters; and professional services became effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 and will continue through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.

Kentucky has experiences a 400% increase in positive cases over the past nine weeks, and as of Tuesday all but four of Kentucky’s 120 were in the Red Zone for current incidence rate which is considered critical. Crittenden, Rockcastle, Nicholas and Menifee were classified as Orange, which is accelerated. There are no counties in the green or yellow zone.

Once again Beshear said last week Kentucky reported its highest number of positive COVID-19 cases surpassing the previous record week by 3,786 cases.

The Green River District, consisting of Ohio, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Union and Webster Counties, continues to see a surge in cases as well. Last week the Green River District Health Department reported 903 cases and 20 deaths.

Ohio County reported 87 cases and three deaths last week. According to the latest numbers available Tuesday morning, Ohio County has had a total of 886 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 187 of those cases still listed as active. As of Tuesday there were seven people hospitalized due to COVID-19 and there has been 15 deaths attributed to the virus.

“The situation is not good and is getting worse and worse,” said Judge-Executive David Johnston in his weekly update on social media.

Johnston urged countians to “drop this myth that you have to already be sick for this to kill you.”

He also encouraged people to abide by the governor’s mandates including those for Thanksgiving.

“It’s up to you to be responsible,” he said.

Johnston said with the recent announcements of pending vaccines, there is “light at the end of the tunnel” but for now “things are not good.”

Again, Johnston encouraged mask wearing, social distancing and washing hands.

“We don’t know everything we can do to help us get to the end of this but wearing a mask is one important thing that we know we can do and it shows you care,” he said. “Personally, when I see others not wearing a mask, I think they don’t care.”