FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Restaurants and bars have the go-ahead to begin indoor service next week after Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed he'd lift the latest restrictions Monday.
On Thursday, the governor confirmed he would stick to the initial date given back in November and lift the temporary restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and other businesses.
Since November 20, bars and restaurants have had to stop indoor service.
Gov. Beshear said the restrictions have worked to slow the spread of COVID-19 and this measure was always meant to be temporary.
"We are seeing trends in the data that show that our steps have been working," Gov. Behsear said. "The question is will what people did over Thanksgiving potentially overwhelm that. Even if it does our numbers will be significantly below where they would have been."
The news was welcome to Brie Lowry Cox, Marketing Director for Lexington restaurant Corto Lima.
"We're just generally excited to be able to welcome everybody back," she said.
The restaurant has shifted to curbside service two days a week during this time but will re-open Wednesday through Sunday next week for indoor service.
"Our staff is chomping at the bit they're texting us saying, "hey when can I comeback? When can I work?"" she said.
But Gov. Beshear called on businesses and individuals to step up adherence of guidelines and executive orders still in place, like the mask mandate.
"It's the difference of stopping the spread of this virus and continuing the spread," he said.
