Where does the CDC recommend masks in Kentucky? Look at community levels by county

State and local governments in Kentucky are easing mask mandates following updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – but more than half of Kentucky counties, including Fayette, were among the areas where masking is still recommended, as of March 3.

What do the guidelines mean for where you live and work? Under the changes issued late last month, the CDC is using new “COVID-19 community levels” to determine where individuals should mask in indoor, public settings. The levels are based on new cases and hospitalizations, as well as hospital capacity.

Those in high COVID-19 community level areas, ages 2 and older, should wear a mask in public, the CDC says.

What does COVID-19 look like in my area?

Feb. 28, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear lifted a requirement for state employees to mask at work. The step comes as the state’s positivity rate continues to decline following the omicron surge. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton made similar changes March 1, peeling back a requirement for visitors and city employees to mask in city office buildings.

But 65 Kentucky counties remain in high COVID-19 community level areas as of March 3, CDC data show. Those counties include much of the eastern part of the state.

You can find your county in the map below.

The high levels in the eastern part of the state are part of a larger cluster of counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina with high transmission rates, the CDC’s countrywide map shows.

What does the transmission level mean?

According to the CDC, those in areas with low community level should:

• Ensure they are fully vaccinated.
• Get tested if they have symptoms.

Those in areas of medium community level should:

• Ensure they are fully vaccinated.
• Get tested if they have symptoms.
• If at high risk for severe illness, talk to doctor about masking and other precautions.

Those in areas of high community level should:

• Wear a mask in public.
• Ensure they are fully vaccinated.
• Get tested if they have symptoms.
• If at high risk for severe illness, take additional precautions.

The federal agency also reminds individuals they can mask at any time, and those with symptoms, who have tested positive or have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19 should wear a mask in public regardless of community level.