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Documenting Kentucky's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Kentucky coronavirus coverage
Debate in Kentucky
Kentucky government responses
School reopenings in Kentucky
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
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Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Kentucky's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

July 2021

  • July 29: On July 28, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask in state buildings. The requirement applies to both employees and visitors. The requirement went into effect July 29.
  • July 27: On Monday, July 26, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) recommended that school districts require all students under 12, all other unvaccinated students, and all unvaccinated adults to wear masks indoors.

June 2021

  • June 25: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced an incentive program for residents on unemployment insurance to return to work. Up to 15,000 residents will receive a $1,500 bonus for accepting new employment before July 30. For more details, click here.
  • June 11:
    • Gov. Andy Beshear (D) is ending the statewide mask requirement, remaining social distancing requirements, and all capacity restrictions June 11.
    • Senior centers in the state will reopen at full capacity on June 11.
  • June 7: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the Shot at a Million vaccination incentive program. Residents 18 and older who have received at least one dose of a vaccine can enter to win one of three $1 million cash prizes. Residents 12-17 who have received at least one dose of a vaccine can enter to win one of 15 full scholarships (including tuition, room, and board) to a public in-state college or university. For more information on entering the drawing, and to see drawing dates, click here.
  • June 2: On June 1, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced that senior centers in the state would reopen at full capacity on June 11 due to increased vaccinations.

May 2021

  • May 28: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced on May 7 that all events and businesses serving fewer than 1,000 people at once can expand to 75% capacity effective May 28. Indoor and outdoor venues with more than 1,000 people can also expand to 60% capacity.
  • May 17: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed an order exempting fully vaccinated people from wearing masks in most indoor settings. Beshear also announced he will end the statewide mask requirement for everyone (including unvaccinated people) on June 11.
  • May 7: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced all events and businesses serving fewer than 1,000 people at once can expand to 75% capacity on May 28. On the same day, indoor and outdoor venues with more than 1,000 people can expand to 60% capacity.

April 2021

  • April 27: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) lifted the state’s outdoor mask requirement on all events and gatherings with fewer than 1,000 people. Previously, face coverings were required outdoors anytime 6-foot social distancing could not be maintained.
  • April 26: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced a state partnership with FEMA to open vaccination sites in Laurel and Henderson counties. Laurel’s vaccination site will open April 28, and Henderson’s will open April 29. Both sites will be able to administer up to 7,000 doses daily. For more information, click here.
  • April 21: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) updated the state’s Healthy at Work requirements to apply to all businesses, eliminating the need for some industry-specific guidance. Health care facilities, wedding and funeral service venues, restaurants and bars, pools and bathing facilities, and gyms still have supplemental Healthy at Work requirements beyond the minimum guidance.
  • April 13: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the state will lift capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements on most businesses once 2.5 million residents are vaccinated. Once the number is reached, capacity restrictions will be lifted for businesses and venues where fewer than 1,000 people gather. The 12 a.m. curfew on restaurants and bars will also end. Mass gatherings and events with more than 1,000 people will still be restricted. The public mask requirement will remain in effect.
  • April 5: Effective April 5, residents 16 and over are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
  • April 1: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced all residents 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination starting April 5. Currently, everyone 50 and older is eligible.

March 2021

  • March 29: Kentucky public schools must offer at least two days of in-person instruction each week starting March 29. The requirement is the result of HB 208, which Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed on March 4. The bill passed the state Senate 28-8 on March 3 and the House 81-15 on March 4. Parents can still keep their children in fully remote learning.
  • March 22: Residents age 50 and older are eligiblefor vaccinations starting March 22. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) also said anyone 16 and older will be able to sign up for a vaccination appointment starting no later than April 12.
  • March 15: Individuals age 16 and older with health conditions the Centers for Disease Control says increase risk for severe illness from the coronavirus are eligible for vaccination starting March 15. Vaccinators must continue to prioritize appointments for people over 60.
  • March 8: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed HB 208, requiring public schools to offer at least two days of in-person instruction each week starting March 29. The bill passed 28-8 in the state Senate on March 3, and the House approved the Senate’s version 81-15 on March 4. Parents can still keep their children in fully remote learning.
  • March 2: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced 18 additional industries can expand operations to 60% capacity on March 2. This includes bars and restaurants, barbershops, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and fitness centers. To see a full list of industries that can operate at 60% capacity, click here.
  • March 1:
    • On Feb. 23, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued an executive order recommending all school districts and private schools offer some form of in-person instruction by March 1.
    • The state is also starting Phase 1C of vaccine distribution March 1. The phase will include all individuals age 60 and older and anyone 16 and older with health conditions on the CDC’s list of comorbidities. Previously, people age 70 and older were eligible for vaccination.

February 2021

  • February 24: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued an executive order recommending all school districts and private schools offer some form of in-person instruction by March 1. The Kentucky Department of Education released KDE COVID-19 Guidance 2.0 to guide school reopenings.
  • February 22: Indoor visitation resumed for non-Medicare-certified long-term care facilities that have gone through the state’s vaccination process on Feb. 20.
  • February 2: Regional vaccination centers are starting to administer doses on Feb. 2. Individuals in Phase 1B (including people age 70 and older) of vaccine distribution are prioritized starting Feb. 1. Previously, individuals in Phase 1B and Phase 1C were scheduled to be eligible for vaccines.

January 2021

  • January 15: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced a state partnership with Kroger to open regional drive-through vaccination sites starting the week of Feb. 1. The Kroger vaccination sites will provide vaccines to individuals in phases 1a, 1b, and 1c of the state’s vaccination plan. Beshear said he will announce details on participating locations and how to sign up on Jan. 28.
  • January 5:
    • Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced a four-phase vaccine distribution outline. The state is currently in Phase 1a, which includes health care workers and residents and staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
    • The state’s Healthy at School guidelines became mandatory and middle and high schools were allowed to reopen for in-person instruction on Jan. 4. The guidelines include rules for social distancing, mask-wearing, sanitization, and other in-person activities (like food service in lunch rooms).

December 2020

  • December 30: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced school staff, first responders, and anyone older than 70 will be eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines in Phase 1b of the state’s distribution plan. The state expects to start Phase 1b at the beginning of February.
  • December 16: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the state’s Healthy at School guidelines will be mandatory starting Jan. 4, 2020. The guidelines include rules for social distancing, mask-wearing, sanitization, and other in-person activities (like food service in lunch rooms).
  • December 7: Public and private elementary schools can start to reopen for in-person instruction on Dec. 7 if their county is not in the red zone. Middle and high school instruction will be fully remote through at least Jan. 4. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) previously ordered all schools to close on Nov. 23.

November 2020

  • November 23: New coronavirus restrictions took effect. Restaurants and bars have to close indoor dining, and social gatherings are limited to eight people from two households at a time. Gyms, indoor recreation facilities, and offices are limited to 33% capacity. Event spaces and theaters are limited to 25% capacity. All K-12 public and private schools statewide have to stop in-person classes. Middle and high school instruction will be fully remote through at least Jan. 4. Elementary schools will be able to reopen starting Dec. 7 if their county is not in the red zone.

October 2020

  • October 7: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) extended the state’s public mask mandate for another 30 days.

September 2020

  • September 16: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced bars and restaurants can move their last call from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. and remain open until midnight starting on Sept. 15.
  • September 1: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced childcare centers can raise class sizes from 10 to 15 children, effective immediately.

August 2020

  • August 11: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) requested that school districts not offer in-person instruction until at least Sept. 28, and instead begin the school year with virtual learning.

July 2020

  • July 28: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced he is closing bars and limiting restaurant capacity to 25% for two weeks starting July 28. Beshear also asked schools to avoid reopening for in-person instruction until the third week of August.
  • July 21: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced he was limiting social gatherings to 10 people. The state had permitted social gatherings of up to 50 people since the end of June.
  • July 10: On July 9, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued an executive order requiring individuals to wear face coverings in most public settings. Effective July 10, individuals must wear face coverings while inside or waiting in line to enter, any of the following: retail establishments; grocery stores; pharmacies; hair salons/barber shops; nail salons; tattoo parlors; child care facilities; restaurants and bars; health care settings; and any other indoor public spaces. Individuals must also wear face coverings while riding in public transit vehicles or other transportation service vehicles (e.g., taxis, ride-sharing vehicles, etc.). The order exempts children under the age of five and individuals with disabilities.
  • July 9: On July 8, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said he would announce a new series of requirements in response to rising COVID-19 case numbers in Kentucky. Beshear said, "The rising case numbers are cause for concern, so tomorrow we’re going to announce some new requirements that are going to be mandatory. Given what we are seeing across the country with exploding numbers in certain places, my commitment is to make sure that doesn’t happen here, but I can’t do it alone." Beshear is expected to make the announcement at 4:00 p.m. on July 9. We will have full details in our July 10 issue.
  • July 7: On July 6, the Kentucky Department of Education released guidelines on reopening schools in the fall. The document, a complement to interim guidance issued in June, does not mandate a uniform course of action for reopening schools. Instead, "it is intended to be a guide for local school districts when developing and adapting their return-to-school plans."

June 2020

  • June 30: On June 29, Kentucky entered into the final stage of its reopening plan. As a result, the state's stay-at-home order, which did not have a fixed end date, effectively concluded.
  • June 29: Effective June 29, the following businesses are allowed to reopen or expand operations: restaurants and bars (50% capacity); venues and event spaces (50% capacity); and public swimming and bathing facilities (subject to a capacity formula detailed here). Social gatherings of up to 50 people are now permitted.
  • June 15: Effective June 15, center-based child-care programs and day camps are allowed to reopen. Low-touch youth sports are also allowed to resume.
  • June 11: The Kentucky Horse Park and Kentucky state park campgrounds are reopening on June 11.
  • June 8: Educational and cultural businesses and institutions like museums, aquariums, libraries, and distilleries are reopening on June 8. In-home childcare is also allowed.
  • June 1: On June 1, the following businesses are allowed to reopen: auctions (33% capacity), auto/dirt track racing, aquatic centers, bowling alleys, fishing tournaments, fitness centers (33% capacity), state park lodges, movie theaters (33% capacity), and the Salato Wildlife Education Center.

May 2020

  • May 26: Effective May 25, the following businesses were allowed to reopen, all subject to 33% capacity limits: barbershops, cosmetology services, and hair salons; massage therapy services; nail salons; tanning salons; and tattoo parlors.
  • May 22: Effective May 22, restaurants are permitted to resume dine-in service at 33% capacity, plus outdoor seating. Social gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed.
  • May 20: Retail businesses and funeral and memorial services were permitted to resume operations, subject to 33% capacity limits, on May 20.
  • May 18: Government offices were permitted to reopen on May 18. Occupational capacity of government buildings was capped at 33%. No more than 50% of a building's workforce could be in the building at one time. The Department of Education released initial guidance for schools and districts on reopening to in-person instruction this fall. The 16-page document outlined potential start dates for schools ranging from July to October and included guidelines for employee training, contacting tracing, and preparedness for sudden closures.
  • May 13: Effective yesterday, healthcare facilities were allowed to resume non-emergency inpatient medical procedures at 50% of pre-COVID-19 shutdown volume. Beginning May 27, healthcare facilities will be able to determine their own patient capacities, subject to continued progress in containment efforts.
  • May 11: Phase 1 of Gov. Andy Beshear's (D) plan takes effect today. It includes reopening manufacturing, construction, vehicle or vessel dealerships, office-based businesses (at 50% capacity), horse racing (without spectators), and dog grooming and boarding services.
  • May 8: On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) outlined the second phase of Kentucky's "Healthy at Work" plan. Effective May 22, restaurants will be permitted to resume at 33% capacity, plus outdoor seating. Effective June 1, movie theaters and fitness centers can reopen. Effective June 11, public and private campgrounds will be allowed to reopen. Effective June 15, child-care facilities, subject to capacity restrictions, can reopen. Beshear said the third reopening phase would likely begin July 1. As with the first phase of reopening, each new phase is subject to several criteria, outlined here.
  • May 7: Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack announced that effective May 6, the following types of medical procedures could resume: outpatient gastrointestinal, radiology, diagnostic non-urgent cardiac, outpatient orthopedic, outpatient ophthalmological, outpatient ENT, and outpatient dental procedures.

April 2020

  • April 27: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) released benchmarks that, if met, would trigger the state to begin a phased reopening of businesses. Benchmarks include: 14 days of decreasing cases, increased testing capacity and contact tracing, personal protective equipment availability, ability to protect at-risk populations, ability to social distance and follow the CDC's guidelines on large gatherings, preparedness for a possible future spike, and status of vaccine and treatment. Kentucky is under divided government, with a Democratic governor and Republican majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Kentucky Public Health Department released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Kentucky state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Kentucky Public Health Department
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? WHEN CAN YOU GET A COVID-19 VACCINE?
Where can I find the distribution plan? Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? (1) COVID-19 Vaccine- Frequently Asked Questions (2) Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus vaccine in my state? Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccine Monitoring
Where is the state health department's homepage? Kentucky Public Health Department
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Kentucky - AARP

Timeline

  • Nov. 17, 2021: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued an executive order making all residents 18 and older eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot if six months had passed since they received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months had passed since they received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.[2]
  • June 4, 2021: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the Shot at a Million vaccination incentive program. Beshear said residents 18 and older who received at least one dose of a vaccine could enter to win one of three $1 million cash prizes. Beshear said residents 12-17 who received at least one dose of a vaccine could enter to win one of 15 full scholarships (including tuition, room, and board) to a public in-state college or university.[3]
  • April 23, 2021: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced a state partnership with FEMA to open vaccination sites in Laurel and Henderson counties. Laurel’s vaccination site was scheduled to open April 28, and Henderson’s was scheduled to open April 29. Both sites were slated to be able to administer up to 7,000 doses daily.[4]
  • March 31, 2021: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced all residents 16 and older would be eligible for vaccination starting April 5. At the time of the announcement, everyone 50 and older was eligible.[5]
  • March 15, 2021: Kentucky residents age 16 and older with health conditions the Centers for Disease Control said increased risk for severe illness from the coronavirus became eligible for vaccination. Vaccinators had to continue to prioritize appointments for people over 60.[6]
  • March 1, 2021: Kentucky started Phase 1C of vaccine distribution. The phase was scheduled to include all individuals age 60 and older and anyone 16 and older with health conditions on the CDC’s list of comorbidities. Previously, people age 70 and older were eligible for vaccination.[7]
  • February 20, 2021: In Kentucky, indoor visitation resumed for non-Medicare-certified long-term care facilities that had gone through the state’s vaccination process on Feb. 20.[8]
  • February 2, 2021: Regional vaccination centers in Kentucky started administering doses.[9]
  • February 1, 2021: Kentucky residents in Phase 1B (including people age 70 and older) of vaccine distribution became eligible. Previously, individuals in Phase 1B and Phase 1C had been scheduled to become eligible on the same day.[9]
  • January 4, 2021: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced a four-phase vaccine distribution outline.[10]
  • December 28, 2020: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced school staff, first responders, and anyone older than 70 would be eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines in Phase 1B of the state’s distribution plan.[11]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Kentucky have restrictions on travel? No. Visitors from nine states are encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days. The nine states on the travel advisory include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. According to officials, the advisory is not an order.[12]

More information can be found at Team Kentucky.

Timeline

  • July 20, 2020: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued a travel advisory requesting that visitors from nine states self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Officials said the advisory was not a requirement. The nine states in the advisory include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.[13]
  • May 6, 2020: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) ended the travel restrictions that required out-of-state travelers to quarantine.[14]
  • May 6, 2020: Gov. Beshear issued a revised order restricting travel after parts of the original order were struck down by a federal judge. The new order asked out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days if they plan on staying in the state for more than 24 hours.[15]
  • May 4, 2020: A federal judge struck down parts of Gov. Beshear's travel ban, ruling the ban "does not pass constitutional muster." The lawsuit was originally filed by three churchgoers who attended a service in Louisville and were told by the state to self-quarantine.[16]
  • April 2, 2020: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued an order requiring all people traveling to Kentucky to self-quarantine for two weeks.[17]
  • March 30, 2020: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued an order that required residents to self-quarantine for any out-of-state travel, unless they traveled to care for a person in need, bought groceries or necessary supplies, went to work, were required by a court order, or obtained healthcare.[18][19]


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Kentucky to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Kentucky were closed to in-person instruction on March 16, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Kentucky .[20][21]
  • March 29, 2021: Kentucky public schools had to offer at least two days of in-person instruction each week starting March 29. The requirement was the result of HB 208, which Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed on March 4. The bill passed the state Senate 28-8 on March 3 and the House 81-15 on March 4. Parents could still keep their children in fully remote learning.[22]
  • March 4, 2021: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed HB 208, requiring public schools to offer at least two days of in-person instruction each week starting March 29. The bill passed 28-8 in the state Senate on March 3, and the House approved the Senate’s version 81-15 on March 4. Parents could still keep their children in fully remote learning.[23]
  • March 1, 2021: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's (D) executive order recommending all school districts and private schools offer some form of in-person instruction became effective.[7]
  • February 23, 2021: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued an executive order recommending all school districts and private schools offer some form of in-person instruction by March 1. The Kentucky Department of Education released KDE COVID-19 Guidance 2.0 to guide school reopenings.[24]
  • January 4, 2021: Kentucky’s Healthy at School guidelines became mandatory and middle and high schools were allowed to reopen for in-person instruction.[25]
  • December 14, 2020: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the state’s Healthy at School guidelines would become mandatory starting Jan. 4, 2020, including rules for social distancing, mask-wearing, sanitization, and other in-person activities (like food service in lunch rooms). [25]
  • December 7, 2020: Public and private elementary schools started reopening for in-person instruction on Dec. 7 in non-red zone counties. Middle and high school instruction would be fully remote through at least Jan. 4. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) previously ordered all schools to close on Nov. 23.[26]
  • November 23, 2020: All K-12 public and private schools statewide had to stop in-person classes. Middle and high school instruction were scheduled to remain remote through at least Jan. 4. Elementary schools were scheduled to reopen in-person instruction starting Dec. 7 in non-red zone counties.[27]
  • Sept 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported a majority of schools were using virtual or hybrid learning in Kentucky .[28][29]
  • August 10, 2020: Gov. Andy Beshear (D) requested that school districts not offer in-person instruction until at least Sept. 28, and instead begin the school year with virtual learning.[30]
  • July 27, 2020: Beshear asked schools to avoid reopening for in-person instruction until the third week of August.[31]
  • July 6, 2020: The Kentucky Department of Education released guidelines on reopening schools in the fall. The document, a complement to interim guidance issued in June by the Kentucky Department of Public Health, did not mandate a uniform course of action for reopening schools. Instead, "it [was] intended to be a guide for local school districts when developing and adapting their return-to-school plans."[32]
  • May 15, 2020: The Kentucky Department of Education released guidance for schools to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. Before opening, schools would be required to identify a Healthy at Work officer, create a Healthy at Work communications plan, educate and train employees, establish contact tracing procedures, establish calendar, enrollment, and attendance guidelines, and create a plan for sudden closures or extended periods of remote learning.[33]


  • April 20, 2020: Beshear announced that schools would not reopen for in-person instruction for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 1.[34]
  • April 2, 2020: Beshear announced that the statewide school closure, originally scheduled to end on April 20, would extend until May 1.[35]
  • March 20, 2020: Beshear announced that the statewide school closure, originally scheduled to end on March 27, would extend until April 20.[36]
  • March 13, 2020: Beshear announced the closing of K-12 schools in the state for at least two weeks beginning March 16, 2020.[37]

Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Effective July 10, 2020, individuals five years of age or older were required to wear face coverings while inside, or waiting in line to enter, any of the following: retail establishments; grocery stores; pharmacies; hair salons/barber shops; nail salons; tattoo parlors; child care facilities; restaurants and bars; health care settings; and any other indoor public spaces. Individuals were also required to wear face coverings while riding in public transit vehicles or other transportation service vehicles (e.g., taxis, ride-sharing vehicles, etc.).

On April 26, 2021, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) lifted the state’s outdoor mask requirement for all events and gatherings with fewer than 1,000 people.

Beshear signed an order exempting fully vaccinated people from wearing masks in most indoor settings on May 13. Beshear also announced he would end the statewide mask requirement for everyone (including unvaccinated people) on June 11.

On June 11, 2021, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) ended the statewide mask requirement.[38]


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

On Fire Christian Center, Inc. v. Fischer: On April 10, 2020, On Fire Christian Church filed a lawsuit against Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. Fischer issued an order on April 7 prohibiting drive-in church services during Easter weekend. U.S. District Judge Justin Walker ruled in favor of the church but said that his ruling did not apply to other churches in the city. Representatives for the church said that they had been hosting drive-in services in their parking lot in order to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for several weeks. As part of his order, Fischer said he wanted to prevent citizens from driving around town and spreading the virus.[39][40]

Roberts v. Neace: On May 4, 2020, Judge William Bertelsman, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, enjoined the state from enforcing its ban on interstate travel. In his order, Bertelsman wrote, "After careful review, the Court concludes that the Travel Ban does not pass constitutional muster. The restrictions infringe on the basic right of citizens to engage in interstate travel, and they carry with them criminal penalties." Bertelsman rejected a challenge to limits placed on mass gatherings, including church services. Bertelsman wrote, "Plaintiffs are not alone in having their lives and activities disrupted by it and the measures that our federal and state governments have taken to address it. Indeed, it is hard to imagine that there is any American that has not been impacted. But unless a law can be shown to have religion within its cross-hairs, either facially or in application, the fact that religious practices are impinged by it does not contravene the First Amendment."[41]

Tabernacle Baptist Church, Inc. v. Beshear: On May 8, 2020, Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, temporarily blocked the state from enforcing its ban on mass gatherings as applied to religious groups. The plaintiffs had alleged that state orders restricting mass gatherings and closing churches as non-essential businesses violated their First Amendment rights to the freedom of assembly and the free exercise of religion. Tatenhove sided with the plaintiffs, writing the following in his order: "Plaintiffs have established a likelihood of success on the merits with respect to their free exercise claim, and the Court grants their motion for a [temporary restraining order] on that basis. ... To stay the prohibition on mass gatherings with respect to religious services which observe the social distancing guidelines promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control, as Tabernacle has promised to do, does not harm the Defendants. Finally, the public interest favors the enjoinment of a constitutional violation." Tatenhove's full opinion and order can be accessed here.[42]

In a press conference on May 9, 2020, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) did not indicate whether his administration would appeal the decision.[43]

Beshear v. Acree: On November 12, 2020, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld Governor Andy Beshear’s (D) COVID-19 emergency orders. Writing on behalf of a unanimous court, Justice Lisabeth Tabor Hughes said, "The governor’s orders were, and continue to be, necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of all Kentucky citizens." The court ruled that Beshear's actions were "consistent with decades of Kentucky precedent, which we will not overturn." In response to the ruling, Beshear said he was "grateful not for a win but for the safety of Kentuckians." Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne (R) said, "It appears that the court’s opinion provides further evidence of the great need to better define emergency powers granted by previous legislatures."[44]

The orders' challengers, three Northern Kentucky businesses, had argued that the governor's orders, including a statewide mask mandate and indoor occupancy restrictions, violated the state constitution and statutory rulemaking procedures. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) intervened on behalf of the plaintiffs. Boone County Circuit Court Judge Rick A. Brueggemann granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting enforcement of the orders. Following a subsequent loss at the appellate level, Beshear appealed to the state supreme court.[45]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Gerald Neal Kentucky State Senate District 33 September 8, 2020 Neal announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[46]
Attica Scott Kentucky House of Representatives District 41 September 6, 2020 Scott announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19.[47]
Paula McCraney Louisville Metro Council District 7 March 28, 2020 McCraney tested positive for COVID-19.[48]
Rand Paul U.S. Senate, Kentucky March 22, 2020 Paul announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[49]
John Yarmuth U.S. House Kentucky District 3 March 16, 2020 Yarmuth announced that he would self-quarantine after discovering that he had attended an event alongside two individuals who tested positive for coronavirus.[50]
Max Wise Kentucky State Senate District 16 July 20, 2020 Wise announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.[51]
Mike Harmon Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts January 2, 2021 Harmon announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[52]
Brett Guthrie U.S. House Kentucky District 2 December 8, 2021 Guthrie announced on December 8, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[53]
Thomas Huff (Kentucky) Kentucky House of Representatives District 49 December 22, 2020 Huff announced on Facebook that he was in the hospital with COVID-19.[54]
Alice Forgy Kerr Kentucky State Senate District 12 August 2, 2021 Forgy Kerr announced she tested positive for COVID-19. She said she was fully vaccinated when she contracted the virus.[55]

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY1117
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY64
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY423
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY331
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY315
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY31
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY220
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY21
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY14
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY1228
  12. ↑ WLWT5, "Travel advisory: Kentucky governor asks anyone who travels to these states to self-quarantine," July 20, 2020
  13. ↑ WLWT5, "Travel advisory: Kentucky governor asks anyone who travels to these states to self-quarantine," July 20, 2020
  14. ↑ Kentucky.gov, "Gov. Beshear Updates Kentuckians on the Fight to Defeat COVID-19," accessed May 22, 2020
  15. ↑ WDRB, "Beshear issues new travel restrictions after federal judge ruled previous order unconstitutional," May 6, 2020
  16. ↑ WLKY, "Federal judge says Kentucky's travel ban is unconstitutional," May 4, 2020
  17. ↑ Louisville Courier Journal, "Gov. Andy Beshear orders people entering Kentucky to self-quarantine for 14 days," April 2, 2020
  18. ↑ Commonwealth of Kentucky, "Kentucky's Response to COVID-19," accessed April 1, 2020
  19. ↑ ky.gov, "Executive Order," accessed April 1, 2020
  20. ↑ Burbio rated Kentucky's in-person index at 88.5. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  21. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY329
  23. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY34
  24. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY224
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY1214
  26. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named KY1210
  27. ↑ Newsweek, "Kentucky COVID Restrictions Explained as Schools, Restaurants Affected," accessed November 23, 2020
  28. ↑ Burbio rated Kentucky's in-person index between 0-20. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  29. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  30. ↑ WDRB, "Gov. Beshear asks Kentucky school districts to delay classroom learning until Sept. 28," August 10, 2020
  31. ↑ Governor of Kentucky, "Gov. Beshear Announces New Actions to Fight COVID-19," July 27, 2020
  32. ↑ Kentucky Department of Education, "COVID-19Considerations for Reopening Schools:Workplace Health and Safety," accessed July 6, 2020
  33. ↑ WAVE 3, "Ky. Dept. of Education releases guidance for schools to reopen safely this fall," May 15, 2020
  34. ↑ Lexington Herald-Leader, " KY schools to stay closed for rest of academic year, no in-person classes, Beshear says," April 20, 2020
  35. ↑ Louisville Courier Journal, "Kentucky schools need to be closed until at least May, Gov. Andy Beshear says," April 2, 2020
  36. ↑ WDRB, "Gov. Beshear advising school districts to extend closures until April 20 in Kentucky," March 20, 2020
  37. ↑ WDRB, "Public school districts across Kentucky closed for at least two weeks amid coronavirus pandemic," March 13, 2020
  38. ↑ WLKY, "Kentucky's mask mandate, capacity restrictions will end June 11, Beshear says," accessed June 11, 2021
  39. ↑ WDRB, "Judge grants Louisville church's temporary restraining order against Mayor Fischer to allow drive-in service," April 11, 2020
  40. ↑ WDRB, "Mayor Fischer laments 'painful' time as drive-thru church services won't be allowed for Holy Week," April 7, 2020
  41. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, "Roberts v. Neace: Memorandum Opinion and Order," May 4, 2020
  42. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, "Tabernacle Baptist Church, Inc. v. Beshear: Opinion and Order," May 8, 2020
  43. ↑ Associated Press, "Court halts ban on mass gatherings at Kentucky churches," May 9, 2020
  44. ↑ Supreme Court of Kentucky, "Beshear v. Acree: Opinion," November 12, 2020
  45. ↑ Lexington Herald-Leader, "Kentucky Supreme Court rules Beshear’s COVID-19 restrictions are legal," November 12, 2020
  46. ↑ Spectrum News 1, "State Sen. Gerald Neal Tests Positive for Coronavirus," August 30, 2020
  47. ↑ WKYUFM, "State Representative Attica Scott Tests Positive For Coronavirus," September 6, 2020
  48. ↑ WFPL, "District 7 Metro Council Member Tests Positive For Coronavirus," March 28, 2020
  49. ↑ New York Times, "Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky tests positive for the virus." March 22, 2020
  50. ↑ Twitter, "Rep. John Yarmuth on March 16, 2020," accessed March 16, 2020
  51. ↑ Courier Journal, "Kentucky state senator released from quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus," July 20, 2020
  52. ↑ Northern Kentucky Tribune, "State Auditor Mike Harmon tests positive for COVID, a day after getting the vaccine; wife also tests positive," January 2, 2021
  53. ↑ Courier Journal, "Kentucky Congressman Brett Guthrie tests positive for COVID-19 in breakthrough case," December 8, 2021
  54. ↑ WDRB, "Kentucky state representative hospitalized with COVID-19," December 22, 2020
  55. ↑ Courier Journal, "'A new ballgame': Kentucky state senator says she has breakthrough COVID-19 case," August 2, 2021
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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