New Travel Advisory Announced, Plus Party Size Reduced Back to 10
Governor Andy Beshear announced new actions required due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases. Positive rates have jumped from 2% in mid-March to about 4% in recent weeks.
Action 1
Anyone traveling to the following nine states is recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days when they return: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Mississippi. These states are at approximately 15% positive testing rate.
“The No. 1 COVID-19 cluster cause that we’re seeing right now is travel. We know how much this is being brought back,” said Gov. Beshear. “We need people to change their plans because it’s a life or death matter for this commonwealth.”
What does self-quarantine look like?
If you visit one of the nine states listed, quarantine for 14 days upon your return.
Avoid public places and personal contacts
Isolate from family members as much as possible
Check temperature twice daily
Follow all other Healthy At Home guidelines
Action 2
The number of people who can gather in social, non-commercial gatherings has been reduced from 50 back to 10 or fewer people. The guidance does not include weddings, restaurants, retail or other public venues.
“We’re seeing clusters created by our backyard barbeques, our block parties, and it’s because we let our guard down. We have a lot of friends over and we know them. We figure they’re probably doing everything right,” said Gov. Beshear. “We take off our masks, we relax, we get too close, we stand around while people are grilling and we’re seeing some very difficult outcomes because of it. So much depends on us trying to stop this thing before it gets out of control.”
Dr. Steven Stack, the commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, knows the impact COVID-19 has already had on the economic, physical and mental well-being of the state’s residents. He’s encouraging everyone to do their part to keep Kentucky moving forward. “Our fate is collectively in Team Kentucky’s hands whether we can adopt a simple measure like wearing a mask,” he said. “If we don’t take some strong action, people will see how bad things can get in Kentucky, and believe me, we don’t want to get there.”
As of Monday, July 20, there have been at least 533,143 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.52 %. At least 6,876 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.