Restaurant dining rooms can reopen at a limited capacity as early as May 22 as part of Phase 2 of reopening Kentucky’s economy. Also included in the plan are June reopenings for movie theaters, fitness centers and child care facilities, while crowds of 50 or more may be acceptable in July as part of Phase 3.
Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled the new phases Thursday afternoon, primarily detailing guidelines for restaurants.
Beginning May 22, restaurants can allow up to 33% capacity inside. They can also provide unlimited outdoor seating as long as they have the space to do so while still following distancing guidelines.
“I know this isn’t the capacity that our restaurants probably want, but studies that we look at show that we’ve got to be really careful about this step,” Beshear said. “We hope to gradually raise that capacity, but this is the best compromise between public health and making sure we can restart this part of the economy.”
Beshear’s administration is working to develop more detailed guidance, but in general businesses must follow the 10 rules of staying healthy at work that have already been laid out.
Other Phase 2 reopenings include movie theaters and fitness centers (June 1); private and public campgrounds (June 11); as well as child care facilities and some youth sports (June 15).
“We want to have a safe plan for child care, knowing that it is such a challenge,” Beshear said. “I will tell you it will be a significantly reduced capacity. It will be very monitored to make sure that it’s safe.”
No specific youth sports were mentioned, but Beshear said they will be “low-touch” and will not include indoor sports.
The governor also briefly discussed Phase 3, which he hopes can begin in July.
Most notably, that phase may allow groups of 50 or people more to gather. Currently, groups of 10 or more will be allowed to gather starting May 25.
“While this is the schedule I want to make happen, one thing and one thing only sets the schedule in the end and that’s the coronavirus.” Beshear said. “Any peak that we see, any cause of major concern, we are all going to have to be willing to pause.”
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