Mayor Gorton has released the Lexington Blueprint for Economic Recovery. This document was compiled using data from discussions among 132 community members, representing the city's major economic sectors. Together, they put together a total of 330 recommendations for reopening the economy. Read Lexington Blueprint for Economic Recovery online.
You can find Lexington's Restaurant and Retail Temporary Relief Program here.
Additionally, Governor Beshear released the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund, which assists in paying rent for those affected by COVID-19. Learn more.
See detailed plans from Governor Beshear for different industries on guidelines and restrictions for reopening below. These guidelines, as well as much more information, can be found on the Commonwealth's Healthy at Work webpage.
On April 17, Governor Andy Beshear released the benchmarks to reopening our state's economy. These are based on the guidelines released in the federal government's Opening Up America Again plan.
Phased Guidelines
2020
Reopening May 9 (Executive Order)
Reopening May 11 (Executive Order)
- Construction
- Horse racing (No fans)
- Manufacturing & distribution
- Office-based businesses (50%)
- Pet grooming / boarding
- Photography
- Vehicle or vessel dealerships
Reopening May 18 (Executive Order)
Reopening May 20 (Executive Order)
Reopening May 22 (Executive Order)
- Restaurants: 33% capacity + outdoor seating - Lexington's Temporary Relief Program
- Groups of 10 people or fewer
- Travel Ban Lifted
Reopening May 25 (Executive Order)
Reopening June 1 (Executive Order)
- Auctions
- Auto / Dirt Track Racing
- Aquatic Centers
- Bowling alleys
- Fishing Tournaments
- Fitness Centers
- Kentucky State Park Lodges
- Movie Theaters
- Salato Wildlife Education Center
Reopening June 8 (Executive Order)
- Education and Cultural Activities
- Aquariums
- Distilleries
- Libraries
- Limited Outdoor Attractions
- Museums
- Horse Shows
- Some Childcare (in-home programs)
Reopening June 10 (Executive Order)
Reopening June 11 (Executive Order)
- Kentucky Horse Park
- Kentucky State Park Campgrounds
- Vehicle and Vessel Dealerships 2.0 (up to 50% capacity)
Reopening June 15 (Executive Order)
Reopening June 18
Reopening June 20
Reopening June 22
Reopening June 25 (Executive Order)
- Barbershops/Cosmetology/Hair Salons 2.0
- Massage Therapy 2.0
- Nail Salons 2.0
- Tanning Salons 2.0
- Tattoo Parlors 2.0
Reopening June 29 (Executive Order)
- Bars and Restaurants
- Groups of 50 People
- Public Swimming and Bathing Facilities
- Venues and Event Spaces
- Youth sports (expanded activities)
Reopening July 1
- Auctions 2.0 (Up to 50% Capacity)
- Aquatic Centers 2.0 (Up to 50% Capacity)
- Bowling Alleys 2.0 (Up to 50% Capacity)
- Fitness Centers 2.0 (Up to 50% Capacity)
- Movie Theaters 2.0 (Up to 50% Capacity)
- Venues and Events Spaces
- Gatherings of Up to 50
Effective July 10 (renewed: August 8, 2020, September 4, 2020, October 6, 2020, November 4, 2020, December 3, 2020, December 29, 2020, and January 30, 2021)
Effective July 20
- Reduction of Social Gatherings to no more than 10
- Recommendation of a 14 Day Self-Quarantine for travelers who went to any states reporting positive testing rate equal to or greater than 15 percent (states updated as advisory changes)
Effective July 27
Effective August 10 (Executive Order)
- Bars may resume in-person operations following minimum requirements (this was updated on September 15 to allow bars to serve alcohol until 11 p.m. and close at Midnight)
- Restaurants may operate at a capacity up to 50% following minimum requirements
Effective November 20 through December 13 (Executive Order) (SLIDE GRAPHICS)
- Indoor social gatherings limited to current household plus one other household, with a total of eight people or less.
- Indoor venues, event space or theatres limited to 25 total participants per room, including weddings and funerals.
- Bars and restaurants closed to indoor dining and service. Delivery, to-go and outdoor service is allowed.
- $40 million fund will be launched to assist restaurants and bars. Those that qualify will receive a $10,000 subsidy. Applications will be accepted online starting November 30. Find application and details here.
- Available to businesses currently operating as bars or restaurants
- If a business has more than one location, they will receive a maximum award of $20,000
- Businesses with 50% or more of sales is through drive thru are not eligible
- Businesses cannot be publicly traded
- All businesses must certify they will be in compliance with Governor's Executive and Public Health Orders
- $40 million fund will be launched to assist restaurants and bars. Those that qualify will receive a $10,000 subsidy. Applications will be accepted online starting November 30. Find application and details here.
- Gyms, Fitness Centers, Bowling Alleys, and Pools will be restricted to 33% capacity. Group classes will be prohibited. Masks are required and everyone must maintain a 6 foot distance apart.
- All KHSAA fall sports and practices have been postponed. Indoor practices will not be allowed for sports teams. Individual lessons are allowed, but masking is required.
- Professional Services and Office Space Businesses should have all employees who are able to work from home. If possible, businesses should close to the public and maintain 33% of employees at most in their facility at one time.
- All public and private schools (K-12) will cease in-person instruction beginning November 23 (Executive Order)
- Middle and High Schools will remain in remote instruction until at least January 4, 2021
- Elementary Schools may reopen on December 7 if their county is not in the Red Zone, and the school follows all Healthy At Schools guidance
- All Public Universities have decided to teach 100% virtually starting November 23 through December 31
2021
Effective March 5
- The following business can increase their capacity to 60%
- Indoor Auctions
- Barbershops/Cosmetology/Hair Salons
- Bars and Restaurants
- Bowling Alleys
- Indoor Educational & Cultural Activities
- Fitness Centers
- Funeral and Memorial Services
- Government Offices/Agencies
- Massage Therapy
- Movie Theaters
- Nail Salons
- Office-Based Businesses
- Places of Worship (recommendation)
- Retail
- Tanning Salons
- Tattoo Parlors
- Vehicle and Vessel Dealerships
Effective March 18
- Restaurant and Bar Hours Adjusted
- Can serve until 12 a.m. EDT, Midnight
- Doors to close at 1 a.m. EDT
Effective April 27
- Mask mandate for events updated
- The statewide mask mandate will no longer be in effect when Kentuckians are outside at events or venues with 1,000 people or fewer.
Effective May 14
- Governor Beshear lifted the mask mandate for all fully vaccinated individuals.
- View the order here.
Effective June 11
- Governor Beshear has removed all capacity limitations.