Though there’s a chance no action will have to be taken locally, there will be consequences for anyone known to participate in mass gatherings such as in-person church services this weekend.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Friday that law enforcement agencies will be watching, and individuals participating in mass gatherings — in any fashion, not just in-person church services — will be ordered to self-quarantine for two weeks. That does not include drive-in services as long as people stay in their vehicles.
“Any individual that’s going to participate in a mass gathering of any type that we know about this weekend, we are going to record license plates and provide it to local health departments,” Beshear said. “Local health departments are going to come to your door with an order for you to be quarantined for 14 days.”
Beshear said though people can still make the decision to congregate, they are risking more than just their own health.
“Understand that this is the only way that we can ensure that your decision doesn’t kill somebody else, that your decision doesn’t spread the coronavirus in your county and in your community, that you’re decision to go to a mass gathering doesn’t negate the sacrifice of every other house of worship in this state that is choosing to do the right thing,” the governor said.
Beshear officials are aware of only about six churches in the Commonwealth that are still planning to hold in-person services.
Clay Horton, public health director at Green River District Health Department, said there are no mass gatherings on his radar in Daviess County.
While he said the Health Department will follow Beshear’s orders, Horton said he hopes it doesn’t come to that.
“These recommendations are for a really good reason,” Horton said. “They’re not silly rules that somebody made up. We know that this will be effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19. We know that this is a really critical time. We know that the virus spreads very easily and it spreads person-to-person.”
Earlier Friday, the Health Department announced the second coronavirus-related death in the county. They also announced seven new cases, bringing the total so far to 79. For the state, Beshear announced new totals of 1,693 cases and 90 deaths to date.
“It sounds silly, but this literally will save people’s lives, so people need to stay home,” Horton said. “The take-home lesson is that it’s in our community. We know it’s going to spread if people get together. It’s really critical that everybody listen to the experts this weekend and do the right thing.”
Notices will be given to anyone attending a mass gathering — making them aware of the steps being taken to identify each individual and subsequently order them to self-quarantine.
“Our expectation would be that everybody would voluntarily do it, but they’re certainly going to have to do it,” Beshear said.
Horton encouraged everyone in the community to stay home so further action doesn’t have to be taken.
“We know it’s tough,” he said. “We know it’s a hard weekend to have to do this. You’re really doing it not only for the community but you’re doing it for yourself and your own family.”
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For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
