Beshear extends mask mandate, driver’s license renewal through Circuit Court Clerk

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With coronavirus infections on a steady, three-week decline, Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday extended Kentucky’s mask mandate for another 30 days.

Beshear noted that the mandate will likely be extended again until sufficient Kentuckians have received a coronavirus vaccine.

“(Masks) are working,” the governor said. “To lift this mandate now would leave us vulnerable at a time that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and where we are headed for victory. We cannot let that happen.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 364,507 Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus, with 3,780 deaths blamed on COVID-19. Over four million tests have been administered in the commonwealth.

The state’s test positivity rate, which hovered over 10 percent for much of the last eight weeks, has fallen to 8.85 percent.

Driver’s license renewal

Beshear announced an extension of a special program that grants Kentuckians access to renew or replace a driving or identity credential through their Circuit Court Clerk’s preferred mail-in or drop method.

The order applies to Kentucky driver’s licenses, permits and state-issued identification cards that expired or will expire by June 30, 2021.

Applicants who require driver testing performed by Kentucky State Police must successfully complete that step before renewing a credential. Up to now, the cutoff has been February 28.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the lives of nearly 4,000 Kentuckians, so all of us have a responsibility to minimize its spread however we can,” Beshear said. “Mail-in renewal of driver’s licenses is just one way to enable people to stay healthy and avoid crowds.”

Those who qualify can apply for renewal or replacement remotely through the circuit court clerk in their county of residence.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com