FRANKFORT, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – As Kentuckians take the first steps toward restarting the state’s economy, Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday, April 28,  shared new guidelines to help businesses reopen safely as they fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor unveiled a new, 10-point plan that aims to guide businesses as they prepare for a gradual reopening while continuing to keep all workers and patrons safe. He said the guidelines apply to most employers.

“There are things that are similar to all businesses. These are things that are in the White House’s plan for reopening. And just like we talk about 10 steps for defeating the coronavirus, I want to talk about 10 steps for Healthy at Work,” Gov. Beshear said.

This week, Kentucky began the phased reopening of health care services as the first step under Gov. Beshear’s Healthy at Work initiative, which set out public health benchmarks for reopening Kentucky’s economy. These benchmarks closely follow the White House’s Guidelines for Reopening America.

The 10 rules to reopening a business under the Healthy at Work plan are:

  • Continue telework where possible
  • Phased return to work
  • Onsite temperature/health checks
  • Universal masks and other necessary PPE
  • Close common areas
  • Enforce social distancing
  • Limit face-to-face meetings
  • Sanitizer/hand wash stations
  • Special accommodation

Phase I focuses on healthcare facilities, not private businesses.

This initial Phase 1 does not apply to long-term care settings, prisons and other industries or other settings, nor does it apply to elective surgeries or procedures.

Phase 2 is set to begin Wednesday, May 6. At that time, outpatient surgeries and other invasive procedures can resume, though hospital and care facilities will have to meet strict guidelines.

Phase 3 is scheduled to start Wednesday, May 13. Hospitals and care facilities can begin doing non-emergency surgeries and procedures at 50% of their pre-COVID-19-era patient volume.

Officials want the final stage, Phase 4, to being Wednesday, May 27. At that point, most of the restrictions on types of procedures and volume will be left to the facilities to determine. However, oversight and guidelines meant to ensure that capacity remains in the system will continue.

Any COVID-19 resurgence may require adjustment. For full guidance on criteria for reopening and new best practices, click here.

Reopening the Economy

During Phase 1 of Healthy at Work, the Governor will determine whether Kentucky has met certain public health benchmarks for re-opening Kentucky’s economy. These benchmarks are based on the White House’s Guidelines for Reopening America. No reopening will occur until the Governor determines Kentucky has met certain benchmarks. The Governor will release additional information and guidance as to when Kentucky’s economy can begin reopening as benchmarks are met.

Benchmarks are:

  • 14 days of decreasing cases
  • Increased testing capacity and contact tracing
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) availability
  • Ability to protect at-risk populations
  • Ability to social distance and follow the CDC’s guidelines on large gatherings
  • Preparedness for possible future spike
  • Status of vaccine and treatment

After the Governor determines all benchmarks have been met, Kentucky will begin Phase 2 of Healthy at Work. In Phase 2, the Governor will evaluate economic sectors and individual businesses’ ability to safely reopen and gradually begin authorizing certain business sectors to reopen while still maintaining appropriate health and safety measures.

Industry groups, trade associations, and individual businesses that are closed due to COVID-19 are encouraged to submit reopen proposals discussing possible strategies and challenges their business or sector will face in safely reopening

Case update

There are at least 4,539 coronavirus cases or more in Kentucky at this time.

On Wednesday, April 29, the state’s COVID-19 death  toll was approximately 235 deaths related to the virus.

More than 1, 600 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

“That is a real positive. We love every time somebody moves to the recovered column,” Gov. Beshear said.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity click here.