FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 20, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced more actions on Friday to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and assist Kentuckians trying to manage difficulties because of the virus. Gov. Beshear requested school superintendents keep schools closed for in-person classes until at least April 20 and delayed the state’s income tax filing deadline until July 15.
“We are being called to change our lives – to change our lives to protect those around us. And it’s something that’s going on all around the world. This is our test as a generation,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is our time to show that we put our neighbors and our country ahead of just a bottom line. That we don’t look to be the exception; we look to be the volunteer. We look to be the person that will step up and do what it takes.”
Gov. Beshear also thanked businesses, including bourbon distillers, for assisting with the response to COVID-19.
Gov. Beshear urged Kentuckians to be cautious of rumors and to depend on proven and good sources of news, including governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter & YouTube).
The Governor asked people to follow orders not to gather in public and to follow social distancing by staying at least six feet apart from others. “At this point in Kentucky, there is no place we should have crowds,” he said.
Case information
As of 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, the state’s COVID-19 patient information includes 63 who have tested positive (details below). Additional cases and demographics of other cases mentioned were not known by 5 p.m. ET Friday, so not all cases are listed.
New actions
Schools
Gov. Beshear, who hosted a conference call Friday afternoon with school superintendents to answer their questions, requested they cease in-person classes until at least April 20, which is an additional two weeks from his original request. All 172 districts have stopped in-person classes to stop the spread of the virus.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance
The SBA and Gov. Andy Beshear have worked to qualify the entire state for SBA disaster certification. With that certification now in place, small businesses, for-profit contractors and private non-profits anywhere in Kentucky that have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply for low-interest SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Businesses should also work with their banks, credit unions and other lenders. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has encouraged financial institutions to assist and work with customers in a “prudent manner,” especially borrowers and customers from the most affected industries.
