LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack revealed their plans for how the state plans to bring more health care services back online, while protecting both health care workers and patients safe from COVID-19.
April 27 was the start of Phase 1, where health care practitioners resumed non-urgent / emergent health care services, diagnostic radiology and lab services in:
- Hospital outpatient settings
- Health care clinics and medical offices
- Physical therapy settings, chiropractic offices and optometrists
- Dental offices (with enhanced aerosol protections)
Phase 1 didn’t apply to long-term care settings, prisons and other industries or other settings and it also didn’t apply to elective surgeries or procedures.
Phase 2 is scheduled to begin on May 6:
- Outpatient surgeries and other invasive procedures are allowed to resume, though hospital and care facilities will have to meet strict guidelines.
Phase 3 is scheduled to begin on May 13:
- Hospitals and care facilities can begin doing non-emergency surgeries and procedures at 50% of their pre-COVID-19-era patient volume.
Phase 4 is scheduled to begin May 27:
- Most restrictions on types of procedures and volume will be left to the facilities to determine. Officials say oversight and guidelines meant to ensure that capacity remains in the system will continue.
For all phases, certain guidelines must be followed. Telemedicine is encouraged wherever possible, the use of traditional waiting rooms and common areas should be discontinued, and no visitors will be allowed except in end-of-life situations, or where a vulnerable population needs assistance.
All phases are subject to delay or roll-back if there is a surge of new COVID-19 cases.
Beshear said more industry reopening dates will be announced soon, but added that until a vaccine or an effective treatment exists, things will be very different.
He also announced Monday that masks will be required for businesses and customers visiting them beginning May 11.
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