Starting Friday at 5 p.m. and for the next 30 days, Kentuckians will be required to wear a face mask in public places and certain situations, according to an executive order signed Thursday by Gov. Andy Beshear.
“It’s no longer voluntary. It’s mandatory,” he said. “I’m willing to take whatever criticism comes with that.”
The requirement includes wearing a mask in retail facilities, grocery stores and most forward-facing business. Masks must be worn inside and outside when people cannot remain 6 feet apart.
There will be exceptions for those with certain health conditions as well as for children under 5 years old. People exercising also do not have to wear a mask as long as they are 6 feet apart.
“I want to see how well we can do in 30 days,” Beshear said. “It’s going to be enforced by local health departments and others, and it’s going to be as simple as if someone won’t wear a mask in your place of business, then they cannot be served.”
A mask must be worn when waiting in line at restaurants and bars, but it can be removed when customers are ready to eat.
Beshear said the National Retail Federation and Kentucky Retail Association asked his office to take this action.
University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari submitted a video message that was played during Beshear’s briefing.
“We’ve got to protect each other,” Calipari said in the message. “We’ve got to wear our masks. If you go in a building, if you’re going to be in social distancing range, inside of 6 feet, have a mask. It protects everybody, but we’re hearing now it will protect you. We in our state have done an unbelievable job. Let’s take it up a notch.”
Beshear said he doesn’t think the economy will have to shut everything down if citizens wear facial coverings in compliance with the mandate.
“If we do this … I believe we can keep restaurants open at 50% percent. I believe we can keep retail open at 50%. I believe that we can keep the things that we have opened up open. If we do it, I think we’ve got a shot at sports that other states are worried about right now.”
Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, said the state has been in a plateau because of the numerous sacrifices made thus far.
“If you don’t keep up the simple things now we’re asking of you — to wear a mask, socially distance and the handful of other things it’ll all be undone,” he said. “All we’re asking you to do is a simple act of kindness — wear a mask. Do it for yourself. Do it for the people you love.”
Shortly after Beshear’s announcement, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne co-signed a letter to Beshear.
Though it mentions multiple lawsuits filed against Beshear since the start of the pandemic, the letter stops short of saying they will sue the governor over the mandate.
In part, the letter reads: “We trust the citizens of this Commonwealth to make responsible decisions to protect themselves and their neighbors. As the chief leaders of the Kentucky General Assembly and the chief law officer of this Commonwealth, we ask that you do the same.”
The full letter can be read here.
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