FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 11, 2021) – On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear marked his final regularly scheduled COVID-19 briefing by thanking Kentuckyians for their hard work and sacrifices that saved countless lives in the commonwealth.
The Governor also lifted the statewide mask mandate for most settings and ended capacity limits for restaurants, bars and other public venues. The mask mandate for vaccinated Kentuckians has been lifted since May 13. A new executive order keeps the mask requirement in place only in certain high-risk settings identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: public transit, long-term care facilities and health care facilities.
Masks are recommended for people in correctional facilities or homeless shelters and people who are immune-compromised, are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
"Today, we are lifting the final restrictions put in place to keep our people safe during this once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic," said Gov. Beshear. "COVID-19 remains deadly. Our war against it is not yet won. But after more than 15 months of struggle and sacrifice, we can also say this: While COVID-19 remains a threat, we are no longer in crisis."
The Governor said he was able to make these changes safely because more Kentuckyians continue to receive one of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Everyone ages 12 and older is eligible for their shot of hope. As of today, 2,106,464 people in the commonwealth have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said the proof of vaccines' effectiveness is in the data: The state's weekly number of COVID-19 cases has declined 93% since January 2021; the state's number of deaths occurring each week has declined 95% since January 2021; and the state's