Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced Monday an executive order aimed at providing relief to Kentuckians facing eviction for non-payment of rent.
The order requires landlords to give tenants 30 days of notice for their intent to evict. Beshear said, during that period, landlords should attempt to work out an agreement with the tenant for payment of rent. No penalties, late fees, or interest may be charged for nonpayment under the order’s provisions.
Beshear said $15 million in federal coronavirus aid will be directed to eviction relief throughout 119 counties in the commonwealth. The exception is Jefferson County, which operates its own eviction relief program.
“Kentuckians cannot be healthy at home without a home,” Beshear said.
Beshear said he will not prevent Kentucky high schools from holding athletic events, in line with a decision from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. He said he believes high school sports have the potential to spread COVID-19, but he did not feel it appropriate to override KHSAA’s decision.
“I have concerns...that by starting with some of the most high-contact sports, that we risk a shortened season, that we risk what I think could be successful plans to get our kids back in school, that we risk every other sport that’s going to follow,” Beshear explained.
The state confirmed 373 new coronavirus cases Monday, bringing the commonwealth’s total to 43,899. Kentucky’s positivity rate is 4.77%. Beshear also announced four additional deaths.
Calloway and Daviess counties in western Kentucky saw double-digit increases, with 13 and 10 respectively.
Beshear said 31 Kentucky school districts have had at least one positive case of COVID-19. He said there are currently at least 50 active cases. The commonwealth’s higher education institutions now have at least 223 confirmed, active cases.
More information concerning Kentucky’s response to the coronavirus may be found here.
