Governor Beshear says capacity limitations for certain businesses will be eased in the coming weeks.
During his nightly briefing Tuesday, the governor said after one month, industries including retailers and restaurants will be allowed to increase capacity from 33% to 50%. "That means that we have got the practices in. They’ve become a part of what we are doing and that will be the next phase we will be able to move toward. Now, we’ll have those dates for you here in the future but they are a month from the original date,” said Beshear.
Beshear noted he believes the easing of capacity limits can be carried out while COVID-19 rates stay at a level below a point of concern. But, the governor said if there is a jump in cases, he hopes narrow restrictions could be implemented instead of a return to across the board limits. Beshear announced Tuesday 245 new coronavirus cases and five deaths.
Governor Beshear said an annual late summer tradition in the Commonwealth, the Kentucky State Fair, will still take place in August. The governor said the event, which attracts visitors from all across Kentucky, will see some modifications. “Most of it will be occurring outside, though there is some inside. There are significantly less vendors and the overall activities are less. Any concerts are going to look different and be outside,” explained Beshear.
Beshear added the field hospital established on the fairgrounds property in Louisville will remain in place. Although hospital capacity is not a concern currently, the governor said he wants to keep the extra beds available in case there is a significant uptick in cases. The Kentucky State Fair is scheduled to run from August 20th to August 30th.?
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