“It is an
effort to protect Kentuckians from the rising spread of the coronavirus across
the state.” That is how Governor Andy
Beshear describes his latest Executive Order that all Kentuckians must wear
face coverings in many public situations if the state is going to stop the
increase of COVID-19 cases and continue to reopen the economy safely.
Beshear said
he was relying on health experts, who say wearing face coverings not only
protects others, it also lowers the infection risk for those wearing masks by
65%. So far, 22 states have
implemented some sort of order mandating face coverings, although details vary.
Beshear’s new
executive order requires Kentuckians to wear face coverings under several
circumstances for the next 30 days.
The
executive order states that face coverings will be required in the following
situations:
• “While inside, or waiting in line to
enter, any: retail establishment; grocery store; pharmacy; hair
salon/barbershop; nail salon/spa; tattoo parlor; child care facility;
restaurant or bar (when not seated and consuming food or beverage); health care
setting, or; any other indoor public space in which it is difficult to maintain
a physical distance of at least six feet from all individuals who are not
members of that person’s household;
• “While waiting for or riding on
public transportation or paratransit, or while riding in a taxi, private car
service, or ride-sharing vehicle, or driving any of the above while customers
are present; or
• “While in outdoor public spaces in
which the person cannot maintain a physical distance of six feet from all
individuals who are not members of the person’s household and is not otherwise
covered by previously issued guidance.”
The order
will be evaluated during that time to determine any additional steps or
extension.