FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Beshear signed an executive order Friday that recommends all Kentucky K-12 schools postpone in-person instruction until at least Jan. 11 to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
If schools opt to return to in-person learning before Jan. 11, the order states they must provide meaningful virtual options for students who choose to learn remotely as not to negatively impact that student's academic standing.
Schools in orange or red counties providing in-person instruction must also provide accommodation to high-risk employees who request an alternative or virtual work assignment.
The criteria for "high-risk" includes:
- a body mass index of greater than 35;
- chronic kidney disease;
- diabetes;
- immunosuppressive disease;
- is currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment;
- is more than 65 years old;
- is more than 55 years old and has cardiovascular disease, hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or another chronic respiratory disease.
The order further states that all schools must comply with the safety expectations set forth in the Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools and follow the COVID-19 Mode of Instruction Metrics for K-12 Education.
Beshear stated that the order may be amended as vaccines become more widely available. It is effective beginning Jan. 4.
Click here to read the full document.
