If the state’s Coronavirus numbers continue into a plateau, Governor Andy Beshear may reopen bars next week but they won’t look the same as they did before the virus hit Kentucky. The statewide cases from Monday to Wednesday this week were down by about a hundred from the same time period last week. That could be good news for some businesses. Last week Beshear issued a mandate closing bars and had restaurants drop back down from 50% indoor capacity to 25% because of escalating cases of COVID-19. While the positivity rate went up slightly Wednesday, 5.51% compared to 5.24% on Tuesday, there was hope from public health officials that the number of positive cases were holding steady.
If bars are allowed to reopen next week, Beshear said there would be other restrictions to follow. “Just a strictly enforced seat rule. One of the major issues is people not seated like in a restaurant and thus coming together with people they didn’t come with. It’s going to change the bar experience but it’s going to be necessary.”
The Governor is also considering a curfew similar to the 10:oo pm order issued in other states. That may apply to both bars and restaurants.