During his press conference on Friday, Governor Andy Beshear mentioned Mayfield along with three other cities where new testing sites will open. Richmond, Louisville and Hartford are the other locations, and all will benefit from a state partnership with Kroger. Information on how to register at more than 70 sites throughout the commonwealth can be found at kycovid19.ky.gov (see link below).
As of Friday afternoon, Beshear said there were at least 7,444 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 252 of which were newly confirmed. Four new deaths were reported Friday, raising that total to 332.
The deaths include a 66-year-old man and a 60-year-old man from Fayette County, an 80-year-old woman from Jefferson County and a 74-year-old man from Campbell County.
At least 2,739 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
As part of the Healthy at Work initiative, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet will reopen tourism in an effort to generate revenue and boost the state's economy, offering Kentuckians opportunities to explore the commonwealth through in-state travel.
"The tourism industry has suffered significant loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," Beshear said. "As the state focuses on rebuilding the economy, reopening tourism plays a significant role in generating revenue, opening business doors and helping more Kentuckians get back to work."
Tourism is an $11 billion industry in Kentucky and provides employment to nearly 95,000 Kentuckians. The spread of the novel coronavirus has resulted in a loss of nearly $64 million in tourism tax revenue.
Kentucky State resort parks, recreational parks, lodges and cabins will open for normal business hours beginning June 1. Park guests will be required to follow social distancing and public health guidelines. Natural Bridge and Cumberland Falls State Resort Parks will also reopen on June 1.
Guests can begin making reservations beginning Tuesday, May 19 at parks.ky.gov.
Some parks that were designated to provide temporary housing for low acuity patients will not reopen, yet. They include Lake Barkley State Resort Park and three others: Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, and Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park.
The Kentucky Horse Park, Otter Creek and state park campgrounds will open on June 11 to self-contained campers and RVs in accordance with Beshear's new camping guidelines. Fishing tournaments may resume on June 1 with new guidelines.
The Salato Wildlife Education Center will open with limited capacity beginning June 1. Interactive exhibits will remain closed until further notice.
Beginning May 22, groups of 10 people or fewer may gather and the state's travel ban will expire. Announcements about other tourism attractions and venues will be made when appropriate.
Beshear also announced that Kentucky will award $500,000 in CARES funding to 85 humanities organizations who have suffered program financial losses due to COVID-19. Kentucky Humanities will distribute the grants to museums, libraries and theaters, including the Marshall County Public Library, the River Discovery Center in Paducah, and the Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah.
The Healthy at Work website (see link below) now includes guidance for massage therapy and nail salons. Information for cosmetology businesses, hair salons and barbershops, tanning salons, and tattoo parlors guidance is expected soon. Gov. Beshear said the state would also be expanding June 1 reopening guidance to include aquatic centers (which does not include public pools), fishing tournaments and auto/dirt track racing.
Beshear announced there would news conferences would not be held on Saturday or Sunday. Instead, he will release a video with case information on Saturday, and Sunday's numbers will be included in Monday's new conference.
Watch Beshear's complete update below:
On the Net:
KY Healthy at WorkKY COVID-19 Testing Locations
