[ad_1]
To visit someone in one of these institutions, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of your vaccination.
Frankfort, Kentucky. This week, people locked up in Kentucky are allowed to receive visitors for the first time since the pandemic struck. The changes to the visiting rules only apply to state-run Department of Corrections and juvenile detention centers.
Governor Andy Beshear said the visits would open once the vaccination rate, of both inmates and staff, reached 80%.
Critics of the trial said Kentucky’s prisons were on the back burner and waited months to get vaccine doses after nursing home residents started getting theirs — only to hit another bump when the Johnson & Johnson vaccine came in. was put on hold.
A number of facilities saw outbreaks of the virus, leading to more than 9,000 cases among inmates and prison staff in Kentucky. At least 53 people died, with most deaths reported to the Kentucky State Reformatory.
On average, prisons have each had more than 500 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
Today, cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky prisons are slim to none.
As of Friday, there was one active county jail inmate case now in the Roederer Correctional Complex and one active staff case in Green River.
RELATED: College Vaccine Requirements | Data shows college age group has highest rate of positive cases
Last month, Governor Beshear warned how quickly the number of cases can change.
“Remember, this is an environment where if there’s a COVID outbreak, we’ve seen it be devastating how quickly it can spread, so we’re taking precautions while we’re still opening visits.”
Visiting dates and times will be published on the DOC and DJJ web sites. The updated visitation policy does not apply to provincial prisons.
To visit someone in one of these institutions, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of your vaccination. Visits are limited to two people per inmate. Masks and social distancing are also expected.
The state says correction facilities will still offer virtual visits.
Make it easy to stay tuned for more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. In front of Apple or android users.
Do you have a news tip? E-mail [email protected], visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
[ad_2]
picture credit