Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that he will be implementing a mandatory mask requirement, while announcing 333 new COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth Thursday.
That brings the total up to 18,245 and there are 457 people hospitalized across the state with varying degrees of symptoms. Approximately 461,756 people have been tested for the virus at this point and at least 4,939 individuals have recovered from the illness.
Governor Beshear says it would seem a sizeable portion of new cases seem to stem from people traveling to COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ for vacation and bringing it back into the state.
Four more Kentuckians have died, putting that total at 612. Governor Beshear says he has signed an executive order requiring that citizens wear a mask in public spaces, as the science has proven that wearing one will protect those around you and by extension, yourself.
He detailed that if the public is in grocery stores, retailers, forward facing businesses or even if outside in an area where you cannot social distance appropriately, a mask must be worn. For now, it will go for 30 days, and at this time he does not intend to stop the reopening plan—it will reportedly be enforced by local health departments and begins at 5 p.m. Friday. He says exceptions will be made for those who have serious health conditions that would prevent them from safely wearing a mask.
Addressing a recent ruling by a Scott County Circuit Judge granting a temporary restraining order on Beshear issuing orders related to the pandemic, the Governor says they will take it to the Court of Appeals.
Tennessee saw another 1,605 cases, bringing their total at 57,591—they also gained 25 deaths, totaling at 710 since the pandemic began. Montgomery County is at 658, Robertson County is at 882 and Stewart County is at 26 cases.