Beshear Announces New Restrictions: Family Gatherings Limited, In-Person Restaurant Dining Suspended

Governor Andy Beshear at his daily press briefing on November 18, 2020.

Darren Doyle, story:
Governor Andy Beshear announced some of his most serious restrictions today since early in the pandemic in his daily press briefing in Frankfort. The new executive orders covered the following:

• Limiting the amount of people at private gatherings to only 8 people, from only two households (November 20th at 5pm until Dec 5th)
• Indoor venues, event spaces, or theaters will be limited to 25 people or less, which includes weddings and funerals (Nov 20th - Dec 5th)
• Restaurants and Bars must close to in-person dining. Only delivery and takeout orders will be available, or outdoor seating if mask mandates are enforced (Nov 20th - Dec 13th)
• Gyms and Fitness centers must limit capacity to 33%, groups and classes will be prohibited, a 6ft social distancing rule will apply, and masks are required. (Nov 20th - Dec 13th)
• Schools – All public and private schools (K -12) to 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. 
• 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

“Now, it is time for Kentucky’s third counterattack on the coronavirus," he said. "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.”

Beshear's office also announced $40 million in relief funds to qualifying restaurants and bars. Each venue that qualifies could receive up to $10K each, as long as less than 50% of sales are not drive thru, they are not publicly traded companies, and they will certify they are in compliance with all other restrictions. 

Applications are scheduled to open Nov. 30 and close Dec. 18. and will be processed in the order they are received, and funds will be awarded until they are exhausted. Additional details on where to apply will be announced later.

Beshear also said that none of these decisions were easy.

"I can tell you, none of them are gonna be popular. "But now's the time we make the decision whether we're going to let our fellow Kentuckians become sick and more of them die, or we're gonna take a stand against the third wave of this virus. These restrictions are necessary now. And for activities I haven't listed, please follow the current guidance and others found at the Healthy at Work website."

Active cases rose again in Edmonson County for the third straight day, going from 84 yesterday to 92 today, according to data from the Barren River District Health Department. The county's incidence rate is now at 91.7.

There are 107 out of 120 KY counties are considered in the red zone.

Earlier today, the KHSAA announced the delay of the 2020-2021 high school basketball season until January 4th.