All bars in Kentucky will be closed for the next two weeks in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Andy Beshear (D) announced Monday.
The move, effective Tuesday, marks the second time bars have been closed in the state and comes amid a major surge in coronavirus cases.
Interior meals in restaurants will be reduced to 25 percent of capacity, Beshear said. Outdoor seating can remain at full capacity as long as physical distance is enforced and everyone needs to sit down.
Bars serving food may continue to operate, but must follow restaurant guidelines, Beshear said.
The state registered nearly 12,000 COVID-19 cases in July, nearly double the number of positive cases in June.
“The line and the trend are undeniable,” Beshear said at a press conference.
It announced 522 new positive cases of COVID-19 and raised the seven-day positivity rate to 5.58 percent.
Of the new cases, 21 were children under the age of 5. One is 11 days old, Beshear said.
Beshear said he was taking steps now to prevent the Kentucky situation from worsening. She’s made mandatory masks across the state and limited gatherings of people to 10 or less.
“I don’t want to be a state that runs out of beds in the ICU and one of their loved ones doesn’t have room,” Beshear said. “By taking action right now, we can prevent all of that from happening.”
Beshear’s movements are backed by the Trump administration.
His announcement comes after he and Kentucky health leaders met Sunday with Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, who recommended that the state close bars and reduce capacity of restaurants.
Currently, both restaurants and bars can operate with 50 percent indoor capacity and unlimited outdoor seating.
In addition to bars and restaurants, Beshear also recommended that public and private schools delay in-person classes until the third week in August, to give the state more time to control the level of infection.
“My commitment is, regardless of the pressures that exist, is to make the decisions that save lives, protect our economy, and ultimately give the best opportunity for our children to go back to school at some point,” Beshear said.
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