Public Health Officer places restrictions on businesses

Bourbon County Public Health Officer Becky Johnson issued an order Sunday night restricting or prohibiting businesses activities in Bourbon County for all non-essential businesses and making recommendations for essential business functions.

Essential Businesses

The following have been determined to be Essential Business functions for Bourbon County:

Grocery Stores -- Grocery stores shall be allowed to remain open to the public for business to supply needed food and supplies to the citizens of Bourbon County. It is recommended that these stores take precautions to reduce in-person contacts as much as possible, maintain social distancing (6 feet or more) when practical, and consider using curb-side service whenever possible.

Convenient Stores/Gas Stations -- Shall remain open to the public. It is recommended that these stores take precautions to reduce in-person contacts as much as possible, maintain social­ distancing (6 feet or more) when practical, and shall eliminate gathering places within the store to prevent social grouping activities.

Funeral Homes -- Shall be allowed to remain open but efforts should be made to reduce numbers (family only gatherings recommended) and shall work to limit crowds and shall strive to maintain the recommended social distancing as described above.

Health Care Facilities and Providers/Veterinary Clinics -- Shall remain open and use social distancing and other techniques as applicable to help prevent the virus spread. Providers may want to have patients/customers stay in cars until their turn to avoid waiting area congestion and issues with maintaining social distancing.

Utility Providers -- Shall be allowed to remain open. It is recommended that providers take steps to limit work-to-worker interactions to help reduce the chance for losing multiple workers and/or causing utility disruptions. Calls for service to individual residences should be pre-screened prior to entering those locations.

Banks and Pharmacies -- Shall be allowed to remain open for business. Whenever possible, it is recommended to close lobbies and inside operations and use the drive-throughs to conduct necessary business. People who are allowed to come inside the business should be prescreened prior to allowing entry.

Non-Essential Businesses (Open with Restrictions)

The following business have been determined to be non-essential businesses as related to this pandemic, however, they will be allowed to remain open with the following restrictions as described below. These restrictions shall be implemented by no later than noon, Monday, March 23, 2020 and shall remain in a restricted status until this order is rescinded by the Public Health Officer, the order states.

Parts Stores/Lumber Yards/Hardware Stores -- These businesses shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the inside of the store shall be prohibited. These businesses should use delivery or curb-side service and maintain social distancing as much as possible during those activities.

Bars/Restaurants -- These businesses shall be allowed to remain open for business, however, public access to the inside of the bar/restaurant shall be prohibited. These businesses should use delivery or curb-side service and maintain social distancing as much as possible during those activities.

Manufacturing -- Manufacturing businesses shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the facilities shall be prohibited. All efforts should be made to maintain social distancing between workers whenever possible.

Agricultural Business -- Agricultural business shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the inside of the store shall be prohibited. These businesses should use delivery or curb­ side service and maintain social distancing as much as possible during those activities.

Automotive Repair Shops -- Shops shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the buildings and facilities shall be extremely limited. All efforts should be made to maintain social distancing between individual workers and between workers and customers whenever possible.

Other Retail Sales -- Other retail sales not identified above may remain in operation but the business shall keep doors closed and restrict business to one customer at a time inside the store. Examples include liquor stores, gun stores, pawn shops, and other similar business types.

Non-Essential Businesses (Closed/Shut-Down)

The following businesses types have been determined to be non-essential as related to the pandemic and shall be closed/shut down no later than noon, Monday, March 23, 2020 and shall remain shut until this order is rescinded by the Public Health Officer:

Barber/Beauty Shops -- Shall be shut down as there is no practical way to maintain social distancing.

Fitness Centers/Gyms -- Shall be shut down.

Libraries -- We appreciate the fact that the library in Bourbon County has already voluntarily shut down to help assist lessening the spread of COVID-19. Libraries shall close or remain closed to the public until the order is rescinded, the order states.

Other Businesses -- Businesses not otherwise described that cannot maintain or attempt to maintain the 6-foot social distancing shall be closed until this order is rescinded. This would include any businesses that by its very nature direct person to person contact of less than 6 feet.

Business types that are not specifically included or defined by the above information, and business owners who have questions on what, if any restrictions apply should call (620) 223-4464 for guidance.

The order states it shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the public health officer.