Governor Beshear is expressing confidence that all capacity restrictions can be lifted this summer. The governor took a step in that direction Thursday by announcing a move from 60% to 75% capacity on May 28 for all events and businesses with an occupancy fewer than a thousand people.
To date, more than 1.8 million Kentuckians have had at least their first vaccine shot. The governor had talked about reaching 2.5 million vaccinations before lifting the lid on capacity. Beshear was asked, what if that mark isn't met until months down the road? “I don’t know when we’ll reach the mark, but we’ll certainly lift capacity restrictions this summer. We want to make sure everybody gets an opportunity to get vaccinated. I want to see what happens with the 12 to 15 year olds and give them a reasonable time to get vaccinated,” said Beshear.
Asked about state incentives being offered for vaccinations, Beshear said he anticipates an announcement next week about such an opportunity within the private sector.
Kentucky’s public health commissioner said the state’s youth can play a significant role in moving the Commonwealth further toward a healthier population. Next week it’s expected the go-ahead will be given to start vaccinating 12 through 15-year-olds. Dr. Steven Stack says the state is working with local health departments on the roll out of expanded vaccinations. “We’ve discussed with vaccine administration sites across the state. We’re also going to make available to the schools through some announcements in the next couple of days and next week when I talk when I talk to the superintendents access to the Wild Health opportunity for them to do vaccine clinics onsite at schools,” explained Stack.
The governor reported 655 new coronavirus cases along with six deaths and a positivity rate of 3.5%
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