The policy triggering mandatory masking once Jefferson County hit the highest levels of COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations was enacted July 19 by the Jefferson County Board of Education, continuing a similar policy passed by the board in March during the latter months of the 2021-22 school year.
The latest COVID-19 community level map released by the state Friday has Jefferson County and most other Kentucky counties in the highest category for coronavirus cases and hospitalizations under U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention metrics.
Local transportation agencies have begun dropping their masks requirements for employees and passengers after the Transportation Security Administration's decision that it will no longer enforce the mask mandate on public transportation.
Beshear’s order rescinding his previous directive was filed and took effect Monday. Emergency regulations requiring masks inside public schools and child care facilities remain in effect.
Kentucky is just shy of topping the all-time record for COVID patients in the ICU.
According to the Indiana State Department of Health, new cases and hospitalizations stand at rates Indiana has not seen since February.
Seating charts will be used on buses and in classrooms to help with social distancing and contact tracing.
That should include a return to life at school without facial coverings, he said.
Individual business will decide their own masking policies.
Following more than a year of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, Kentucky officials are easing some COVID-19 restrictions — a move that is being welcomed by Louisvillians.