Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced Friday morning that all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Kentucky will be lifted on June 11.
This follows recommendations from the CDC that all individuals who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear a face masks in most locations—indoors or outdoors—and that will extend to all Kentuckians on June 11. The governor says this gives plenty of time for everyone who has not yet gotten a vaccine, including children 12 years of age and up, to get one and reach those fully vaccinated requirements.
The Governor said a review of COVID-19 data from the period when many Kentuckians were vaccinated, this March and April, proves the effectiveness of vaccines. Over the two months, total cases declined by 18 percent, hospitalizations declined 19 percent and deaths declined by 48 percent.
He says that it was thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of Kentuckians who did the right thing that we can now finally starting putting the pandemic behind us.
The mask mandate will be allowed to expire on June 11, except for in places where people are most vulnerable. Approximately 1.9 million Kentuckians have now been vaccinated against the virus. Governor Beshear also reported 558 new COVID-19 cases, six new deaths, and that the positivity rate dropped down to an even three percent.