On March 22, 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued Executive Order 2020-246, which orders retail businesses that are not life-sustaining to close. The Order goes into effect at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, and will remain in effect until rescinded by Governor Beshear. The Order lists businesses that are considered life-sustaining, which includes but is not limited to grocery stores, pet stores, pharmacies, banks, and “other businesses that provide staple goods.” Businesses considered not life-sustaining include, but are not limited to department stores, office supply stores, and clothing stores.
Businesses considered not life-sustaining may provide local delivery and curbside service of online or telephone orders. Carry-out, drive-through, and delivery sales of food and beverages may continue. Retail businesses that remain open are ordered to follow, to the fullest extent possible, the current CDC and Kentucky Department of Health guidelines on social distancing and hygiene, which includes:
- Ensuring employees and customers stay at least six (6) feet away from each other
- Having employees practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces on a regular basis
- Ordering sick individuals to leave the premises
Failing to comply with these guidelines is a violation of the Order and may subject the business to closure.
A full list of businesses considered life-sustaining and not life-sustaining, as well as the full text of Governor Beshear’s order, may be found at: https://tinyurl.com/vms6cl6.
