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Kentucky travel ban won't apply to NKY residents going to work in Ohio, Indiana, officials say

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Posted at 3:32 PM, Apr 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-01 15:41:46-04

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COVINGTON, Ky. — Andy Beshear's recent restrictions on out-of-state travel won't cause any problems for people living in Northern Kentucky whose commutes to work involve crossing state lines.

As part of the commonwealth's ongoing efforts to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Gov. Beshear on Monday signed an executive order asking Kentuckians not to travel to other states. His order identified certain exceptions: work, medical visits, court appointments, caring for loved ones and getting supplies from across state lines for those living near a border.

Covington City Manager David Johnston said the move was the next logical step in Beshear's "Healthy at Home" initiative, which encourages all Kentucky residents to stay home and limit social interactions.

"We try to restrict the interaction between people, and I think this is the natural extension of that," he said.

Johnston added that Covington's law enforcement would not be performing spot checks to ask drivers crossing state lines about the nature of their travel.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, all bridges between Northern Kentucky and Ohio and Indiana will remain open for people to make essential trips.

Beshear's order as written does not contain language specifying methods of enforcement.

Instead, the governor has asked anyone who travels out of the state for a non-essential purpose to self-quarantine for two weeks.