1) Limiting Private Gatherings:
Starting Friday, Nov. 20 at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, Dec. 13 at 11:59 p.m., private/indoor social gatherings will be limited to your current household plus one other household, not to exceed a total of eight people.
2) Limiting Attendance at Venue Spaces:
Starting Friday, Nov. 20 at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, Dec. 13 at 11:59 p.m., events will be limited to no more than 25 people per room. The restrictions do not apply to in-person services at places of worship. However, the governor said the state will provide recommendations on attending those services on Thursday.
3) Closing Indoor Dining at Restaurants and Bars:
Starting Friday, Nov. 20 at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, Dec. 13 at 11:59 p.m., bars and restaurants will be closed for indoor service.
A $40 million fund has been launched to assist restaurants and bars that will be impacted by the new restrictions. Entries that qualify will receive $10,000 to use for various costs.
La Tasha Buckner, Gov. Beshear's Chief of Staff, says it will be administrated by the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, which is finalizing the program details. Applications will be accepted online from Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, and more information will be provided at a later time.
Buckner says the $10,000 assistance will be available to businesses that are currently operating as bars and restaurants. A business entity can receive up to $20,000 if they own more than one location. Businesses that will not be eligible include those where more than 50% of their sales are made through drive-thrus. Businesses owned by a publicly-traded company will also not be eligible. All businesses must certify that they are going to be in compliance with the governor's orders and remain in compliance with the executive orders and public health orders.
Gyms, Fitness Centers, and Pools:
Gyms will now be at 33% occupancy and face masks will be required. Group classes are prohibited. The 33% occupancy also applies to pools, bowling alleys, and similar businesses.
Sports Practices:
KHSAA announced Wednesday it will postpone the 2020-21 winter sports season until Jan. 4. The governor says the same decision will be applied for all indoor recreational facilities, so indoor practices will not be allowed for sports teams. Individual lessons are allowed but face masks will be required.
Office Space Businesses:
Professional services and office space businesses are recommended to have all able employees to work from home. When possible, businesses should be closed to the public. If they are open, they should maintain 33% of their employees, at most, in their facility at one time.
K-12 Schools:
Starting Monday, Nov. 23, all public and private schools (K-12) will cease in-person instruction beginning on Nov. 23. Middle schools and high schools will remain in remote instruction until Jan. 4, 2021. Elementary schools may reopen on Dec. 7 if their county is not in the "red zone" and the school follows all Healthy at School guidance.
The governor says the new restrictions are not part of a shutdown and that "our economy is open." He says there will be no businesses that will be categorized as essential or non-essential, which will determine if they will be open or not.
