Governor’s office releases benchmarks for state’s reopening

On Thursday, President Donald Trump unveiled the federal recommendations that lay out conditions for parts of the U.S. to start relaxing some restrictions put in place during the global coronavirus pandemic, but said the decision to lift restrictions will be up to each governor.

While states are not required to follow the recommendations released by the president, Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday released the benchmarks Kentucky must meet in order to start the reopening process, which he said fall in line with the guidance announced by the White House.

“We believe our approach is very much in line with the White House. The plan put out by the White House has certain thresholds that states should meet before we start taking certain steps,” Beshear said. “The benchmarks are being driven by public health. We are all on the same page about what keeps people safe.”

President Trump said last week he is hopeful less affected states will be able to begin lifting restrictions on or before May 1. Beshear did not mention specific daes indicating there are specific thresholds that the state must meet in order to begin taking steps.

“We have to make sure we do it smart; we do it safely,” he said. “That we don’t let our guard down, that we don’t start focusing on the next game until we win this game. There are seven benchmarks to be assessed before the phases for reopening part of the economy can begin."

Before beginning the first phase there must be: 14 days with a decrease in positive cases, increased testing capacity and contact tracing, personal protec t i v e equipment availability, ability to protect at-risk populations, ability to social distance and follow CDC guidelines on large gatherings, preparedness for possible future spikes and status of vaccine and treatment.

"Normal going forward is not the same as normal going into this. When we start lifting restrictions, I want to be very clear, there will be more disease. More people will get infected. There is a counterbalancing need with people’s need to go on with life and people’s need to remain safe. We have recognized that all along,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health.

Stack said reopening the state does not mean that people will not still be asked to continue good hygiene, practice social distancing, suspend travel and telework when possible -- all guidance also offered by the White House.

The governor reminded Kentuckians how important it is to stay fluid and flexible based on the severity and number of cases in the state and the status of a vaccine and treatment options. Some things will be able to reopen faster than others based on the ability to comply with CDC guidelines, Stack said.

“We think that following these benchmarks, possibly before May, we could see some loosening in the healthcare area,” Gov. Beshear said. “We could see the ability to open up in some small ways before May, during May and beyond, but this will be a phased approach based on our benchmarks and recommendations from many groups. We have to ensure any actions we take protects the sacrifices that so many Kentuckians have made.”

Last week Beshear also announced Kentucky has banded together with Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois to closely coordinate plans to reopen the regional economies when the time is right. “This is making sure that we are working with our neighbors and doing the right thing by our neighbors,” Gov. Beshear said. “While I always say we are in this together as Kentucky, we are now in this with some other states to make sure we are working together in our steps to phase in different parts of our economy.”

The U.S. has reported more COVID-19 cases and death than any other country with over 813,000 positive cases and more than 20,800 deaths as of Tuesday.

Kentucky, according to the governor on Tuesday afternoon, has had over 3,100 positive cases with 170 deaths. Approximately 33,328 Kentuckians have been tested statewide for COVID-19. Over 1,250 patients have recovered.