Schools will be closed to in-person instruction for at least two weeks, beginning Monday, in many Kentucky school districts following a recommendation Thursday from Governor Andy Beshear in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Christian County and Dawson Springs Schools will be closed to in person instruction Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 10 after Governor Beshear asked districts to close for at least two weeks beginning Monday to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Spring break falls in that time period for Christian County from April 6-10.
UHA will be closed all of next week and the school will reassess the situation on March 19. Heritage Christian Academy Hopkins County Schools will be closed from Monday through March 27 and Muhlenberg County schools will begin a closure of at least two weeks Monday. Todd County Schools are closed Monday, March 16 through April 10. All of those students will be able to perform non-traditional instruction from home.
While most children do not exhibit symptoms of coronavirus, they can be carriers who spread the illness and the governor says the action is needed.
Many districts already have flexibility for students to learn from home with non-traditional instruction, but Beshear says waivers are being offered to any district that doesn’t and that wants to apply. He says there’s also flexibility built in for school cafeterias to remain open to provide meals to students who need them.
The governor strongly encouraged parents to send their children to school Friday so that they can receive the materials they will need to learn from home.
Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools are closed today to allow custodians to clean buildings following a scare yesterday where a suspected case resulted in a negative test.
In another extraordinary move, Kentucky Chief Justice John Minton has ordered that all in-person appearances for criminal and civil court dockets be cancelled from Monday through April 10. Exceptions will be made for emergency matters, domestic violence hearings and evidentiary hearings in criminal cases. Judges are encouraged to use the telephone or other technology to conduct hearings that do become necessary.
Jennie Stuart Medical Center has instituted restrictions on visitors, adding they have had no confirmed cases of COVID-19. Only one visitor will be allowed in the emergency department, only one at a time during visiting hours in ICU, and only one visitor in outpatient infusions. Complete details can be found on the Jennie Stuart Health Facebook page.
There are now 11 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the commonwealth and the three new cases are in Jefferson, Harrison and Fayette counties.
Kentucky now has three labs processing COVID-19 tests.
Beshear reiterated that frequent and thorough hand-washing combined with social distancing is the best way to avoid becoming ill with COVID-19.
The Kentucky General Assembly has postponed Friday and Monday’s business and will reconvene on Tuesday.