What’s open in Kentucky right now, what’s not and the rules of engagement
The state of Kentucky has begun measures to reopen its economy using a phased approach.
As Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear continues to urge Kentuckians to follow federal and state protocols for limiting the spread of COVID-19, here is a guide to which sectors of the economy and lifestyle are open and when those that are not will be provided that public health benchmarks are met.
Highlights of Kentucky’s additional guidance for each category are included in quotations, and links where available provide that information in full.
Businesses
▪ Auctions could be held again starting June 1. “Auctions must continue to be held online or remotely to the greatest extent practicable. For those auctions that cannot be held remotely, they must be held outside to the greatest extent practicable. For those auctions that cannot be held remotely or outdoors, auctions must limit the number of customers present in any auction space to 33% of the maximum permitted occupancy of the facility, assuming all individuals in the space are able to maintain six (6) feet of space between each other with that level of occupancy. If individuals are not able to maintain six (6) feet of space between each other at 33% of capacity, auctions must limit the number of individuals in the space to the greatest number that permits proper social distancing.”
▪ In-home childcare providers (Type 2, Certified, and Registered Providers) were allowed to reopen on June 8. Center-based licensed childcare providers and day camps, with reduced capacity, will be allowed to open on June 15. “Since childcare programs were only required to pause their services, the Division of Regulated Childcare will operate as if all programs are reopening on the dates listed … If a program chooses to postpone opening or permanently close, the program will need to immediately contact the Division of Regulated Childcare to update their status.”
“All childcare programs will need to utilize a maximum group size of ten children per group. Registered and certified providers will still need to implement their lower maximum group sizes listed in regulations. … The same staff members should work with the same children each day in order to reduce additional exposure, including the staff members that give breaks to primary staff members.”
▪ Construction businesses were allowed to reopen on May 11. In addition to Healthy at Work Minimum Requirements, those businesses must “to the greatest extent practicable, limit the number of people riding in a vehicle together,” “limit face-to-face meetings” and “no communal coolers or drink stations are allowed.”
▪ Hair salons, barbershops and cosmetology businesses were allowed to reopen on May 25. Those businesses “must limit the number of clients present in any given business to 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility. Employees are excluded from this 33% maximum. … (They) must eliminate the use of any waiting areas, provide services by appointment only and communicate by phone or text when the client may enter the shop/salon. Clients may wait outside in their cars or wait to arrive until informed that their appointment is beginning. … (They) must ensure that customers are separated by at least six (6) feet from each other while receiving service unless separated by a wall or other non-porous physical barrier.”
▪ Manufacturing and distribution businesses were allowed to reopen on May 11. “Businesses must ensure that each employee is able to maintain six (6) foot distance between themselves and others for their entire shift. Controls must be established and maintained when six (6) feet of physical distancing is not feasible.”
▪ Massage therapy businesses were allowed to reopen on May 25. They “must limit the number of clients present to 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility. Employees are excluded from this 33% maximum. Massage therapy businesses should eliminate the use of any waiting areas, provide services by appointment only, and communicate when the client may enter the premises by phone or text. Massage therapy businesses must ensure clients do not congregate before or after their appointment.”
▪ Nail salons were allowed to reopen on May 25. “Nail salon businesses must limit the number of clients present in any given nail salon business to 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility. Employees are excluded from this 33% maximum. … Nail salon businesses must eliminate the use of any waiting areas, provide services by appointment only and communicate by phone or text when the client may enter the salon.”
▪ Office-based businesses were allowed to reopen on May 11. They “must ensure that no more than 50% of employees are physically present in the office on any given day. Businesses must ensure that employees wear face masks for any interactions between co-workers or while in common travel areas of the office (e.g., hallways, conference rooms, bathrooms, entries and exits). Employees are not required to wear face masks while alone in personal offices or if doing so would pose a serious threat to their health or safety.”
▪ Pet grooming and boarding businesses were allowed to reopen on May 11. “Businesses should notify any customer dropping off or picking up pets that the customer must remove their pet’s leash and collar and deliver their pet either curbside, in a crate, or in an entry room to avoid interaction. Employees can then retrieve the pet. Pet care businesses should ensure that the reverse procedure is followed during pickup.”
▪ Photography businesses were allowed to reopen on May 11. “Photographers should avoid photographing groups outside of family units and in no case groups larger than 10 individuals as long as mass gatherings remain prohibited. Photographers should remain 6 feet or farther from all subjects and employ zoom settings for up-close photographs.”
▪ Retail businesses were allowed to reopen on May 20. “Retail businesses must limit the number of customers present in any given retail business to 33% of the maximum permitted occupancy of the facility, assuming all individuals in the store are able to maintain six (6) feet of space between each other with that level of occupancy. … Once a retail business has reached its capacity, it should permit a new customer inside only after a previous customer has left the premises on a one-to-one basis. Retail businesses experiencing lines or waits outside their doors should establish a safe means for customers to await entry …”
Fayette Mall released a list of retailers and restaurants that are reopening plus its own additional guidance to customers and retailers. That includes the following public areas remaining closed: the children’s play area, soft seating areas and common area gathering spaces and drinking fountains. Also, food court seating will be limited to comply with social distancing guidelines.
▪ Tanning salons were allowed to reopen on May 25. Those businesses “must limit the number of clients present in any given tanning salon business to 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility. Employees are excluded from this 33% maximum. … Tanning salon businesses must eliminate the use of any waiting areas, provide services by appointment only and communicate by phone or text when the client may enter the salon.” Also, “tattoo parlors should discontinue nasal and oral procedures.”
▪ Tattoo parlors were allowed to reopen on May 25. Those businesses “must limit the number of clients present in any given tanning salon business to 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility. Employees are excluded from this 33% maximum. … Tanning salon businesses must eliminate the use of any waiting areas, provide services by appointment only and communicate by phone or text when the client may enter the salon.”
▪ Vehicle and boat dealerships were allowed to reopen on May 11. As of June 11, “Dealerships, should limit access to showrooms to ensure both customers and employees are able to remain six feet or more apart. In no case should a showroom exceed 25% of its designated maximum occupancy. For some showrooms, it may be necessary for dealerships to set a limit below 50% of its designated maximum occupancy to ensure proper social distancing.”
Entertainment
▪ Groups of up to 10 people were able to begin gathering starting May 22. “Public health experts discourage people from sharing items in any gathering, including tools, sporting equipment, vehicles, cooking/grilling ware, and other high-touch objects.”
Also, those gathering should be held outside whenever possible and attendees should “remain at least six (6) feet apart from people who are not a part of your household. … If you will be closer than six (6) feet to someone outside your household at any point, wear a cloth face covering or mask over your nose and mouth.”
▪ Plans are for groups of up to 50 people to be allowed to gather on June 29.
▪ Movie theaters were allowed to reopen on June 1. “Movie theaters must limit the number of patrons present to 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility. Employees are excluded from this 33% maximum.”
▪ Salato Wildlife Education Center (1 Sportsman’s Lane in Frankfort) reopened on June 8 with limited capacity. Interactive exhibits will remain closed until further notice.
Food and drink
▪ Plans are for bars, with limitations, to be able to reopen on June 29.
▪ Restaurants, which have been permitted to serve takeout and curbside orders only, “should continue to do so, to the greatest extent practicable, in order to minimize the number of persons in the restaurant and contacts between them.”
Beginning May 22, restaurants were able to reopen to in-person dining but they “must limit the number of customers present in any given restaurant to 33% of the maximum permitted occupancy of seating capacity, assuming all individuals in the restaurant are able to maintain six (6) feet of space between each other with that level of occupancy. … Restaurants should maximize use of outdoor seating,” though “restaurants must be able to arrange (that) seating so as to maintain six (6) feet of space between seated customers.”
Also, “restaurants should limit party size to ten (10) people or fewer. Persons not living within the same household should not be permitted to sit at the same table” and “restaurants should use disposable menus, napkins, table cloths, disposable utensils, and condiments to the greatest extent practicable. Restaurants are encouraged to use electronic menus.”
Funeral and memorial services
As of May 20, funeral and memorial service providers conducting in-person funerals, memorials or burials should limit attendance to no more than 33% of the building occupancy capacity, excluding any officiants, funeral directors, clergy and staff members, while maintaining social distance between household units of at least six (6) feet. A funeral or memorial service provider that cannot maintain this space must further reduce occupancy capacity until this is achieved.” Also, “funeral and memorial service providers should, to the greatest extent practicable, limit congregational singing during services.”
Government offices and agencies
Government offices and agencies were allowed to reopen on May 18. “Government offices and agencies with office-based work must ensure that no more than 50% of employees are physically present in the office on any given day and no more than 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility.”
But not all government offices have to chosen to reopen that soon. For instance, Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins Jr. said the county office that oversees vehicle registration and titles, marriage licenses and voter registration will not reopen until July 6 at the earliest.
“Most county clerk offices will need to remain closed to the public until after the primary election in late June,” Blevins said.” We simply cannot risk a member of staff contracting the virus and forcing a quarantine of all or part of an office. It will jeopardize our ability to support and conduct the election.”
▪ Kentucky’s state courts could resume civil and criminal proceedings June 1, although much business will continue to be done using long-distance technology to limit the potential spread of the novel coronavirus, the Herald-Leader reported on May 19. Chief Justice John Minton Jr. issued a six-page order explaining how courthouses will reopen on a limited basis.
Healthcare
▪ Beshear signed an executive order on May 8 that extended previous orders allowing pharmacists to dispense 30-day refills. That order is in effect until June 7.
▪ As of May 13, “non-emergent/non-urgent inpatient surgery and procedures may resume at 50% of pre-COVID shutdown volume.” On May 27, “non-emergent/non-urgent inpatient surgery and procedures may resume at a volume determined by each facility but in compliance with the other requirements” of Beshear’s executive order.
“Acute care hospitals must maintain at least 30% bed capacity, per their facility surge plan, in both ICU and total beds for COVID-19 patients. … Each facility must maintain a 14-day supply of all necessary Personal Protective Equipment … All providers must eliminate traditional waiting/common seating areas and utilize non-traditional alternatives.”
▪ Several Lexington area hospitals, including University of Kentucky HealthCare, Baptist Health Lexington and CHI Saint Joseph Health, relaxed their patient visitor restrictions on May 18. While restrictions were loosened to allow for one or two guests, depending on the patient’s situation, strict guidelines are still in place to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus at each hospital.
Libraries/education
▪ Educational and cultural activities were allowed to restart/reopen on June 8. That includes aquariums, distilleries, libraries, limited outdoor attractions, and museums. The state’s guidance for that has not been announced.
All Lexington Public Library locations are closed until further notice. Curbside pickup of holds begins at the Eastside Branch (3000 Blake James Drive) only on June 8.
▪ Kentucky’s public schools do not have a start date determined. The Herald-Leader reported on May 15: “Kentucky should prepare for mass changes in the ways schools operate, including sudden closures or rapid transitions to remote learning as K-12 campuses open in the fall, state education officials said Friday afternoon in the most specific guidance released since the COVID-19 outbreak began. …Kentucky public school students have been learning from home since mid-March and districts are not sure if they will open on traditional August start dates given the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Places of worship
Starting June 10, places of worship could host congregants at 50% of their pre-pandemic capacities, “including clergy and staff-employees, while maintaining social distance between household units of at least six (6) feet. This means that there must be six (6) feet between individuals on a row and individuals between rows, such that a six-foot radius is maintained around all household units. A place of worship that cannot maintain this space must further reduce its occupancy capacity until it is achieved.”
Sports/recreation
▪ Aquatic centers could reopen on June 1 for exercise purposes only. “These requirements allow aquatic centers to reopen for lap swimming, or walking, practices or exercise … General leisure and entertainment swimming pool activities are prohibited. Pools without swim lanes must remain closed. Aquatics centers must limit the number of visitors present at their facility to a maximum of 33% of occupancy, not including employees. … There should be no open swim opportunities. Swimming sessions should be scheduled by appointment over the phone or online. … Swimmers must swim one swimmer per lane and separated by at least one lap lanes from other swimmers. This may be achieved by closing some swim lanes. For example, if a pool has six lap lanes, three alternating lanes may be used at a time.”
Public swimming and bathing facilities will be allowed to reopen, with limitations based on the size of the facility, on June 29. “Pools must be current on licensing fees and receive opening inspections from their local health department prior to reopening.” However, those facilities “must eliminate use of saunas and steam rooms.”
▪ Auto and dirt track racing venues were allowed to resume events on June 1. “Racetracks must permit only authorized employees and essential drivers and crews on the premises. This includes, but is not limited to, racetrack employees, race teams (e.g., drivers, pit crews, and other support staff), emergency medical personnel, and necessary suppliers and vendors (e.g., gasoline suppliers). Racetracks must prohibit fans and outside media.”
▪ Bowling alleys were allowed to reopen on June 1. “Bowling alleys must limit the number of clients present … to 33% of the occupational capacity of the facility. Employees are excluded from this 33% maximum. … Bowling alleys must eliminate the use of any waiting areas, provide lane reservations by appointment only and instruct patrons to arrive at their appointed time only. … Bowling alleys must limit party size to ten (10) people or fewer. Persons not living within the same household should not be permitted bowl on the same lane or in an adjacent lane.”
▪ Horse racing tracks — without fans — were permitted to reopen on May 11. “Racetracks may permit only authorized employees, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission license holders who have a horse stabled at a racetrack, and those providing support for a horse stabled at a racetrack at the racetrack. This includes, but is not limited to, racetrack employees, trainers, assistant trainers, exercise riders, grooms, hot walkers, jockeys, veterinarians, farriers, and feed vendors.” A target date for allowing fans to return to the tracks has not been announced.
▪ Horse shows were allowed to be held again starting June 8. “Horse shows must ensure that the number of people on horse show grounds or in a ring does not exceed the number that can safely socially distance at six (6) feet or more away from one another — this may result in a smaller amount of competitors that would normally be allowed. … Horse shows must limit attendance to: essential staff, volunteers, and service providers; judges; trainers; participants/riders; groomers, and; owners. If a participant is a minor, their parents or primary caregivers may attend with them. Horse shows must not permit the public, spectators, fans, family members (other than parents/caregivers of a minor), or outside media on competition grounds.”
▪ Fishing tournaments were allowed to resume on June 1. “When tournaments are larger than 10 boats, they must, to the greatest extent practicable, stagger launch times or use multiple launch ramps. … Weigh-ins must be conducted outdoors.”
▪ Fitness centers were allowed to reopen on June 1. “Fitness centers must limit the number of visitors present at their facility to a maximum of 33% of occupancy, not including employees. The facility or business should develop an organized scheduling system to minimize interactions between visitors and allows employees to sanitize commonly touched surfaces between visitors. Fitness centers must eliminate child services and use of child play areas.”
▪ Kentucky Kingdom (937 Phillips Lane in Louisville) will reopen on June 29 “with extensive precautions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
▪ Kentucky Horse Park (4089 Iron Works Parkway) reopened to self-contained campers and RVs on June 11. … Park attractions, including the International Museum of the Horse and park barns, are closed until further notice. Visitors do have access to the park’s walking trail with a number of memorials/sculptures between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
▪ Most resort parks, including Cumberland Falls and Natural Bridge, and all recreation parks were allowed to reopen June 1. This includes lodges and cottages. Barren River Lake’s lodge and restaurant will be closed during renovations but cottages will be open. Restaurants at open resort parks will also be open on a carry out basis only. All campgrounds will reopen June 11. Museums and historic sites will remain closed. Playgrounds, swimming pools and beaches will remain closed.
▪ Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area (850 Otter Creek Park Road in Brandenburg) reopened to self-contained campers and RVs on June 11.
▪ The Red River Gorge and the Redbird Crest Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System was reopened on May 22. “Most day-use sites, such as picnic areas and shooting ranges, as well as the White Sulphur Off Highway Vehicle Trail System will tentatively reopen on June 3. Most developed campgrounds are tentatively scheduled to reopen on June 11. The general forest area and most boat launches and trails have remained open to hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, dispersed camping, hunting, fishing, etc.”
▪ Some youth sports are allowed as of June 15. “Low touch, outdoor youth sports and athletic activities (e.g., track and field, biking, tennis, golf, mini-golf, horseback riding, and cross-country, and baseball/softball/teeball) may resume practices without competition. Practices should consist of ten (10) youths or fewer, with no more than one (1) adult coach per group, while following the Healthy at Work social distancing. … Low touch, indoor youth sports and athletic activities (e.g. gymnastics, swimming, diving, bowling, solo-dance/solo-ballet, tap-dance, and archery) may resume small group practices and workouts without competition. Practices and workouts should consist of ten (10) youths or fewer, with no more than one (1) adult coach per group.”
“High touch, indoor youth sports and athletic activities (e.g. karate/martial arts, basketball, cheerleading, tandem or team dance, ice hockey, volleyball, fencing, wrestling) may hold small group physical fitness workouts, exercises, and skills training of ten (10) youths or fewer, with no more than one (1) adult coach per group. … High touch, outdoor youth sports and athletic activities (e.g. football, soccer, lacrosse, flag football, field hockey) may resume small group physical fitness workouts, exercises of (10) youths or fewer, with no more than one (1) adult coach per group.”
On June 29, low touch, indoor and outdoor youth sports and athletic activities may resume competition with up to fifty (50) spectators. Also on June 29, high touch, indoor and outdoor youth sports and athletic activities may resume team/group practices without competition.
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 7:23 AM.
