Restarting Kentucky: These businesses can reopen workplaces with COVID-19 precautions
Manufacturing, construction, vehicle and boat dealerships, office-based businesses, horse racetracks, pet care and photography businesses can reopen Monday as Kentucky takes its first big step in restarting its economy.
The reopened businesses have guidelines to follow to assure safety, Gov. Andy Beshear said on May 4.
The reopenings are coupled with an order from Beshear that recommends all Kentucky residents wear masks in public. The order went into effect Monday but was announced on April 27.
Wearing a mask in public is not mandatory, and no one will be cited or arrested for not wearing one, Beshear said. But law enforcement will ask people to put one on if officers see them without one, he said.
Some business reopenings have specific mask guidelines, but all businesses must require employees to use appropriate face coverings as long as they don’t jeopardize an employee’s health or safety.
Manufacturers must stagger work shifts and breaks to keep lots of employees from arriving at the same time. If employees aren’t able to stay six feet apart, companies will have to put up physical barriers. Employees have to wipe down their work stations with disinfectant and time clocks that everyone touches can’t be used, according to the state’s guidelines.
Employees at construction sites have to wear appropriate face coverings depending on the jobs they’re doing, and it is recommended that businesses phase in the workers returning to construction sites, according to guidelines.
Dealerships can only operate at 25 percent of their pre-outbreak capacity, according to state guidelines. All paperwork should also be completed electronically, businesses have to talk to customers over the phone as much as possible, and test drives have to be done without an employee present to maintain social distancing, according to guidelines.
Business offices can reopen Monday at 50 percent capacity. Office employees have to wear masks unless they’re in personal offices. Guidelines suggest using digital documents to replace paper and having meetings over the phone.
Racetracks can operate but must be closed to the general public. Only essential employees are permitted, according to guidelines. No fans, media, guests or family members are allowed. Those supporting horses stabled at a track must remain in the barn, dormitories, or tack house. They can go to and from the track, do laundry, pick up food or use the bathroom.
Pet care guidelines require owners to take the leash or collar off their pets and deliver the pets curbside in a crate or into an entry room at the pet care facility. Workers are not supposed to have any contact with the customer and payment is supposed to be done over the phone or online, according to guidelines.
Photographers are allowed to operate if they are taking photos of family units, and the photos should be taken outside if at all possible. If the photographer is taking pictures of people from different households, those people should stay six feet apart, according to state guidelines. Photographers should wear a recently-washed mask if possible, according to guidelines.
These industry-specific rules are on top of the standard guidelines every business must follow to reopen, according to the state. In addition to face mask requirements, hand sanitizer must be provided and on-site temperature and health checks must be done. Employers must refer ill employees for testing. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce obtained 20,000 masks which employers could buy for $1 each for their employees, Beshear said on May 4.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has also agreed to sell hand sanitizers to Kentucky businesses.
These business reopenings are in addition to nonessential health care operations that have begun to resume. Nonurgent outpatient procedures were allowed to resume Wednesday. Beshear had previously allowed chiropractors, dentists and other health care providers to reopen as well.
What’s next
Monday was the first day for phased reopenings. The state will continue to allow different industries and businesses to reopen over time.
On May 18, government offices and agencies will be able to reopen, according to the state’s schedule. On May 20, funeral and memorial services will be able to resume, and retail stores can reopen. On May 22, restaurants can reopen at 33 percent capacity and with outdoor seating. On May 25, cosmetology businesses, hair salons, barbershops, massage therapy shops, nail salons, tanning salons and tattoo parlors will be able to reopen.
As of right now, there will be three reopening days in June. On June 1, fitness centers and movie theaters will be able to reopen. On June 11, campgrounds will be able to reopen. On June 15, some child care centers and low-touch, outdoor youth sports will be able to resume.
Bars cannot reopen until July 1, as of now. Groups of up to 50 people will also be permitted on July 1.
This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 9:31 AM.