Kentucky released updated guidance on Monday for many businesses and summertime activities, such as pools and sports. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack explained that the new information is designed to streamline requirements. The state changed capacity restrictions for some businesses, but basic COVID guidelines remain, including facial coverings and social distancing.
Dr. Stack stated that new rules in effect as of Monday allow any indoor gathering that involves fewer than 1,000 people in a single room to function at 60% capacity. Gatherings that involve more than 1,000 people in a single room can operate at 50% capacity. These guidelines replace prior capacity restrictions.
Public health officials have supplemental guidance for five additional facilities:
- Healthcare
- Weddings, funerals, and memorial services
- Restaurants and bars
- Pools and bathing facilities
- Gyms, sports, and exercise activities
The governor said these specific industries have unique characteristics that present different COVID concerns.
New guidance for most businesses can be found here. You can obtain the specific requirements for the five individual facilities by clicking on the names above.
Guidance for public pools includes a formula to determine maximum capacity. Requirements for outdoor sports state that participants and spectators can be unmasked if they maintain 6 feet of distance.
Monday’s report included 231 new cases and nine deaths. Kentucky has now vaccinated 1.67 million people. The governor promised to lift most restrictions once 2.5 million Kentuckians receive at least their first COVID vaccine.
