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COVID-19 restrictions, worker shortages discussed as Kentucky restaurants prepare for Derby

Roundtable focuses on frustrations, searches for solutions to pandemic impacts, on Kentucky restaurants and farmers.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thursday, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles met with members of the Kentucky Restaurant Association, chefs, producers and farmers for a roundtable to discuss solutions to pandemic issues.

In just more than two weeks, the world will watch the “fastest two minutes in sports," it has been a very long year for local restaurants and farmers.

They discussed issues from worker shortages to trying to keep struggling farmers in the green and connecting smaller producers with markets. A big source of concern is the changing metric to fully reopen Kentucky.

This week, Governor Andy Beshear announced his "Team Kentucky Vaccination Challenge." He insists that when 2.5 million Kentuckians get vaccinated he’ll ease restrictions on venues holding less than 1,000 people.

However, Commissioner Quarles and some members of the Restaurant Association think a fixed date, and not a metric, is the best solution for those who must plan on reopening, hire and train workers and order supplies.

“I think it's still uncertain, and I don't think that instills a lot of confidence”, said Association President Stacy Roof. “We don't know how long that's going to take, right? We would love to have a date to plan for.”

Governor Beshear suggested the goal could be met in three and a half to 6 weeks. But at the current average in which Kentuckians are getting vaccinated, that goal would likely be 10 to 12 weeks into the future.

Contact reporter Chris Williams at cwilliams@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@chriswnews) and Facebook. 

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