Residents in Kentucky counties that go "red" during the ongoing coronavirus surge are being advised to observe new guidance from the governor's office.
Citing a record number of red counties - those are regions with at least 25 new daily COVID cases per 100,000 residents - Gov. Andy Beshear is introducing new recommendations for those areas.
They include urging employers to allow employees to work from home, non-critical government offices going virtual, reducing in-person shopping, and ceasing special gatherings of any size. None, however, are mandates like those credited with flattening the curve early on in the pandemic.
Beshear said, despite much higher case numbers, the state has to factor in fatigue and more resistance to restrictions.
"If not enough people are following the rules, the solution isn't just more rules," the governor said. "It's that we need more people out there doing the right thing."
Daily cases remained elevated on Monday at 953 with a positivity rate at 5.8 percent.
Full red county recommendations:
- Employers allow employees to work from home when possible
- Non-critical government offices to operate virtually
- Reduce in-person shopping, order online or curbside pickup
- Order take-out; avoid dining in restaurants or bars
- Prioritize businesses that follow and enforce mask mandate and other guidelines
- Reschedule, postpone or cancel public and private events
- Do not host or attend gatherings of any size
- Avoid non-essential activities outside of your home
- Reduce overall activity and contacts, and follow existing guidance, including 10 steps to defeat COVID-19
