ERLANGER, Ky. — A free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing site opens Monday in Erlanger.
The free testing site on 25 Atlantic Ave will be open to anyone by appointment only until at least May 15. You can call 1-800-737-7900 to make an appointment.
The testing site was created via a new partnership with St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
In a breifing earlier this month, Gov. Andy Beshear also announced 17 drive-thru testing sites across Kentucky provided by Kroger.
Watch the briefing in the player below:
Reopening plans in Kentucky
Starting May 11, all Kentucky workers and customers inside reopened businesses will be required to wear cloth masks. Beshear said Monday that businesses looking to buy $1 masks from the state can visit KyChamber.com/MaskOrderForm. For hand sanitizer, visit KyHandSanitizer.com.
The types of businesses that can reopen on May 11 include:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Vehicle/vessel dealerships
- Professional services (50%)
- Horse racing (without fans)
- Pet grooming and boarding
On May 20, retailers can also reopen as part of Kentucky's "Phase 1" reopening. Houses of worship will also be able to hold in-person religious services "at reduced capacity" starting May 20. On May 25, social gatherings of 10 people can resume, and salons, barber shops and other cosmetology services can reopen as part of Phase 1.
Beshear said at this time, restaurants, gyms, campgrounds and youth sports would be in Phase 2 depending on how coronavirus "reacts to changing temperatures." Summer camps, daycares will not reopen in Phase 1, and public pools will not reopen in Phase 1 or Phase 2.
Beshear had unveiled new guidelines last week for businesses reopening later this month, including extending teleworking wherever possible, limiting meetings and administering onsite temperature checks for those returning to work in-person.
Earlier this month, Beshear announced that due to coronavirus, Kentucky's budget office predicts a “significant" general fund shortfall between $319 million and $496 million when the fiscal year ends in June. Beshear said budget officials expect an additional road fund shortfall of up to $196 million.
To help the state's response, Beshear called for federal aid to get through this, including “direct budget assistance” similar to federal aid offered during the Great Recession.
“What we are facing right now is a worldwide health pandemic that comes with another great recession," he said. "They did it then. They need to do it now.”
