Kentucky set to reopen health-care businesses Monday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky is partially lifting restrictions in its fight against the coronavirus with the reopening of health-care businesses Monday.

“Tomorrow is the first day since this virus hit that, as opposed to adding restrictions, we are reopening some areas,” Gov. Andy Beshear said at his daily briefing Sunday.

Included are health-care clinics, medical and dental offices, optometrists, and physical therapy and chiropractic offices. Also covered are diagnostic, radiology and lab services.

Dr. Steven Stack, the state’s public health commissioner, said traditional waiting rooms are expected to be eliminated in favor of patients sitting in parking lots, and everyone in these health-care settings will have to wear masks and practice social distancing.

The resumption of such services in nursing homes and prisons are not included. Neither are elective surgeries and invasive procedures, which will be allowed to resume later, Stack said.

Beshear said he plans to discuss additional steps for other business reopenings Monday.

Kentucky has seen at least 4,074 confirmed virus cases and 208 deaths.