LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The owner of Brewed Coffee Shop had his new COVID-19 rules ready to go Wednesday before a judge issued a temporary injunction on House Bill 1.
The new law was passed earlier this week when the legislature voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto. It allows businesses to stay open during the pandemic as long as they follow CDC or state guidelines, whatever is least restrictive.
"Most importantly it does the thing that I think really kind of helps get everybody out of everybody else's business but also provides a clear choice," said Andrew Cooperrider, owner of Brewed.
He planned to make masks optional, change the capacity limit to 66 percent, and have no curfew. He posted notice of his COVID-19 plan online and on the shop door, he said.
But Wednesday evening, a judge issued a temporary injunction, blocking the law.
"My first initial reaction is obviously very heartbroken," he said.
Cooperrider has been an outspoken opponent of many of the governor's COVID-19 orders for businesses and has signed on to a petition calling for the governor's impeachment.
Kentuckians voted in Republican super-majorities to the state legislature, Cooperrider said, and many candidates ran on checking the governor's executive powers.
"This is what the people of Kentucky want," he said.
Gov. Beshear has said HB1 will make Kentuckians less safe and that it will be difficult for businesses to know what CDC guidelines they need to follow.
