The City of Owensboro and Daviess County have issued a 9 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18 years old, and limitations on shopping and public gatherings have also been enacted.
The moves come as part of an executive order signed Friday by Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson along with Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly.
In summary, the order:
• Prohibits minors from being in public from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult or on their way to work
• No public gatherings of more 10 or more people, with exceptions for essential businesses such as grocery stores as long as social distancing guidelines are followed
• Businesses that are allowed to remain ensure social distancing
• The maximum occupancy at any life-sustaining retail business is reduced to 25 percent
• The number of shoppers allowed to enter life-sustaining retail businesses is limited to one adult per household, with a few exceptions
• Failure to comply with the terms of this Order could result in the closure of said business and/or forcible removal or arrest if all reasonable efforts for voluntary compliance have been exhausted
In full, the order directs the following:
- All businesses that remain open and were not closed by Governor Beshear’s Executive Order 2020-246 dated March 22, 2020, shall, to the fullest extent possible, practice social distancing and hygiene guidance from the CDC and Kentucky Department of Public Health, including: (a) ensuring physical separation of employees and customers by at least six (6) feet; (b) ensuring employees practice appropriate hygiene measures, including regular, thorough handwashing; (c) regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces; (d) use of face cloth covering; and ordering sick individuals to leave the premises.
- The maximum occupancy established by the City and County Fire Marshal, in their respective jurisdiction, at any life-sustaining retail business is hereby reduced to 25% of said figure. Access from all such structures shall be maintained in accordance with fire and life safety codes as enforced by the City and County Fire Marshal, in their respective jurisdiction. Physical barriers at entry and exit points shall not prevent occupants from exiting in case of an emergency.
- The number of shoppers allowed to enter life-sustaining retail businesses that remain open shall be limited to one (1) adult member per household. Minors under eighteen (18) years of age shall only enter said businesses with the one (1) adult if necessary for the care and safety of the minor.
- No one under eighteen (18) years of age shall be in public after 9:00 pm CDT nor before 6:00 am CDT any day of the week unless: a) accompanied by at least one parent or guardian; or b) is on the way to or from work or actively engaged in employment.
- No persons shall congregate together in groups of ten (10) or more in any place open to the public. This shall not, however, prevent unassociated persons from being in a public place such as a grocery, subject to paragraphs 1) and 2) above.
- This Order shall be enforced by the appropriate agency having jurisdiction in the City of Owensboro and the County of Daviess. Failure to comply with the terms of this Order could result in the closure of said business and/or forcible removal or arrest if all reasonable efforts for voluntary compliance have been exhausted.
- This Order shall be effective immediately and remain in full force and effect for the duration of the State of Emergency referenced herein, or until rescinded by further order or operation of law.
Editor’s note: The original version of this story called the order a stay-at-home order. While the order does restrict movements, it does not necessarily require residents to stay home.
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The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
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.
