| BESHEAR ANNOUNCES DETAILS AND DATES FOR REOPENING OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIES Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday the first phase of industry reopening in the state will start on May 11 with non-essential manufacturing, car dealerships, dog grooming and boarding, construction, professional services including law firms, accountants, and others (at 50% capacity), and Churchill Downs being allowed to operate without spectators. The next wave of industry reopening, the governor said, will occur on May 20 and will include church services with reduced rates based on congregation size and some retail with limitations on the number of people allowed in the store at once. On May 25, the state will see barbers and hair salons, nail salons, and others begin to reopen as well as social gatherings of 10 people being permitted. These reopening dates come with measures previously announced including all individuals and companies needing to have/wear masks and temperature checks of employees starting May 11.The Beshear administration has also laid out a 10-step plan for reopening which they released Tuesday. All three dates are part of Phase 1 of an industry reopening plan. Gyms, movie theaters, sporting events/facilities, restaurants, childcare, and others are not included in Phase 1. On Wednesday evening, Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts applauded the announcement. “Over the last six weeks, the business community has stepped up, sacrificed, and has been resourceful to ensure all Kentuckians remain as safe as possible during this global pandemic. The Kentucky Chamber has worked closely with Governor Beshear on the safe and methodical reopening of business and thank him for announcing Phase 1 of reopening Kentucky’s economy. The phased-in approach allows Kentucky businesses time to ensure an opening that keeps their employees, customers, and all Kentuckians healthy and safe. We look forward to bright days ahead of helping Kentucky get back to business,” Watts said in a statement Wednesday. WHAT BUSINESSES NEED IN ORDER TO REOPEN The 10 rules to reopening a business under the Healthy at Work plan are: Continue telework where possible Phased return to work Onsite temperature/health checks Universal masks and other necessary PPE Close common areas Enforce social distancing Limit face-to-face meetings Sanitizer/hand wash stations Special accommodations Testing plan  LEARN MORE HERE SURVEY OF KENTUCKY BUSINESSES DETAILS WHAT EMPLOYERS EXPECT AS ECONOMY REOPENS In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has been asking for your feedback in attempt to illustrate the virus’s impact on our business community. We have compiled the results of the most recent survey on your thoughts about reopening the economy. The Chamber released the results of this survey today as part of our “Restart Kentucky: A Responsible Plan for Returning to Work” initiative which seeks to provide education, guidance, policy recommendations, connect job seekers with employers and recommend best practices to prepare business to restart the economy. FIND THE FULL SURVEY RESULT REPORT HERE ADDRESSING COVID-19 LEGAL LIABILITY RISKS FOR EMPLOYERS Join us on Tuesday, May 5th at 2PM to hear a discussion about legal liability risks employers face as Kentucky reopens its economy and follows new guidelines to protect employees and citizens. Labor and health care law, contract issues, privacy and data concerns will be discussed. Panelists include McBrayer Member Cindy Effinger, Jackson Kelly PLLC Member Jay Ingle, and Dressman Benzinger LaVelle Partner Kelly Schoening Holden with moderator John Crockett, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary at LG&E and KU. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER REOPENING THE ECONOMY: A REVIEW OF STATE RESPONSES TO COVID-19 Join the Kentucky Chamber and KCTCS Thursday, May 7th at 2:00 PM for a discussion on strategies used by businesses in other states and countries to protect employers and employees and steps being taken by surrounding states to reopen the economy. Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts will moderate the discussion with Tennessee Chamber President and CEO Bradley Jackson, Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark, Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar, Ohio Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Keith Lake, and Brown-Forman Global Health, Safety & Crisis Management Director James Allsopp. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER * If you are not able to register because the participant limit has been reached, or you have a time conflict, you will be able to access the recording on the Kentucky Chamber’s website after. |
