Governor Beshear Orders All Restaurants Go Carryout or Delivery Only

Darren Doyle, story:
Governor Andy Beshear announced today he will make an executive order that all restaurants and bars in KY will suspend their dining-in services indefinitely as another step in preventing the spread of COVID-19. They can proceed with business as long as it's carryout or delivery service. He said in his announcement that the goal is to have this in place by 5pm today.

"I'm going to put out the order today, to close all restaurants and bars to in-person traffic," Beshear said in a statement. "We are going to have exceptions in there for drive-thru, for delivery, but we are to the point now, where this is a step we have to take."

He said measures would be taken to help with the economic impact due to many of these establishments being small businesses. 

"We're going to do everything we can to be there for you. I want you to know I realize the impact it's going to have, but we have to take the steps to make sure that we are protecting our people, and this is a necessary one," he said.

It was unclear exactly what specific exceptions would be made.

"There are going to exceptions for drive-thrus, for take-out and we need to take a look at exactly how that's done, and for delivery," Beshear said. "We need folks that are out there to be ordering take-out now. To be ordering delivery. My family's going to commit to do it for at least three meals a week."

The total confirmed cases in KY have risen by one since yesterday to 21 total cases with one death. No cases have been reported in the 10-county area. All KY cases have been reported from Jefferson, Harrison, Fayette, Bourbon, Nelson, Clark and Montgomery counties.