Kentucky's phased reopening of the economy

As Kentucky gradually reopens the state we have a breakdown of what will be opening first and how businesses must comply with regulations in order to reopen their doors.

Kentucky UPDATE AS OF 5-21-20 12:00 PM

What has already been reopened:

  • Places of worship, construction, horse racing (no fans), manufacturing & distribution, office-based businesses at 50%, pet grooming and boarding, photography, vehicle dealerships, government agencies & offices, funeral and memorial services, retail, 

Friday, May 22nd

  • Restaurants at 33% capacity or outdoor seating

  • Groups of 10 or fewer (following social distancing guidelines of being 6 feet apart)

  • Travel ban lifted

Monday, May 25th

  • Barbershops, hair salons and cosmetology schools

  • Massage therapy

  • Nail salons

  • Tanning salons

  • Tattoo parlors

Wednesday, May 27th

  • Non-urgent inpatient surgery and procedures may resume at the volume determined by each facility

Monday, June 1st

  • Auto/dirt track racing

  • Aquatic centers

  • Bowling alleys

  • Fishing tournaments

  • Fitness centers

  • KY State Park lodges

  • Movie theaters

  • Salato Wildlife Education Center

Monday, June 8th

  • Museums

  • Limited outdoor attractions 

  • Aquariums 

  • Distilleries

  • Libraries

Monday, June 11th

  • KY State Park campgrounds

  • KY Horse park

Monday, June 15th

  • Some childcare

  • Low-touch outdoor youth sports

July (no specific date set)

  • Bars

  • Groups of 50 or fewer

Phase 1: Monday, April 27th. Non-emergency, non-urgent, outpatient health services reopened. These services reopened with procedures in place to enhance Covid-19 protections, including PPE and enhanced aerosol mitigation when necessary. Examples: dentists, physical therapists, chiropractors, diagnostic radiology, lab services. 

Phase 2: Wednesday May 6th. Outpatient/ambulatory medical procedures such as invasive surgeries may resume. All patients will be required to undergo Covid-19 testing. All facilities will be required to have a 14-day supply of necessary PPE. 

Phase 2.5: Monday, May 11th. Manufacturing/distribution, construction, vehicle dealerships, pet care/grooming/boarding and photography businesses can reopen. Office-based businesses can reopen at 50% pre-Covid capacity, meaning that no more than half the staff can be in the business at one time. Horse-racing businesses can reopen but may not have fans in attendance. Each of these various businesses have specific requirements for sanitation and social distancing. More info on those specific requirements can be found here and here. 

Phase 3: Wednesday, May 13th. Non-urgent, inpatient surgeries may resume at 50% the rate pre Covid. As with Phase 2, Covid-19 testing will be required for all patients and a 14-day supply of PPE will be required for facilities. 

Phase 4: Wednesday, May 27th. Non-urgent inpatient surgery and procedures may resume at the volume determined by each facility. As with Phases 2 and 3, Covid-19 testing will be required for all patients and a 14-day supply of PPE will be required for facilities.

Emily Browning