Beshear Orders Nonessential Businesses to Close

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered nonessential retail businesses to close in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Beshear says the move is effective at 8 p.m. Monday.

It includes businesses such as entertainment, clothing, bookstores, jewelry stores and car dealerships.

He says auto repair and parts shops are exempt.

He says businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, drug stores, liquor stores and gas stations will remain open.

Beshear said he previously recommended that all elective medical procedures cease, but said on Monday he would mandate they stop. He said the additional action was necessary since some groups have failed to follow the order and that more restrictive actions were needed to protect Kentuckians.

Three people have died in Kentucky from the new coronavirus.

Health officials say the total number of confirmed cases in the state has increased to 103.