KENTUCKY NEW RESTRICTIONS

Halting covid-19's aggressive and relentless spread -- is proving more difficult than ever before.

That's why governor andy beshear put restrictions in place not recommendatio ns.

44news reporter valerie lyons has been digging deeper into the impact being felt across western kentucky.

Valerie - where will we see the biggest impact?

It's probably going to be a tough road ahead for restaurants and bars across kentucky.

Under the new restrictions -- they'll have to shut down their dining rooms for the next three weeks.

But governor andy beshear says -- with all but 14 commonwealth counties in the red -- these new restrictions are necessary in the battle against covid-19.

"it's like a bad cycle that we just have to keep getting sent through."

Greg mullins is the general manager at rookies restaurant and bar in henderson.

He's one of countless kentuckians now bracing for a new round of restrictions.

"thought once we got past it the first time that we wouldn't have to go through it but luckily we're prepared so we know what to do if we have to do it but obviously it's going to be a struggle."

After recommendation s put in place in october for counties in the "red zone" -- failed to to slow the spread of the virus -- the governor announced wednesday -- a new targeted approach in the fight against covid-19.

"it's time to do what it takes to finish this fight, so it's time for kentucky's third counterattack against the coronavirus."

Taking effect friday until sunday december 13 -- private gatherings will be limited to two families -- with no more than 8 people.

Attendance at indoor venues -- limited to no more than 25 per room --- 33 percent capacity allowed at gyms and pools -- and restaurants and bars will have to operate solely on delivery -- to-go -- and outdoor dining.

But mullins worries -- the timing of these restrictions -- could be bad for business.

"this is our big time of the year, this is our money making season, everybody wans to be together somewhere.

At the same time hopefully people are still going to -- we'll still be able to feed everybody and they'll still us as much as possible."

But businesses -- not the only ones bracing for change -- all k-12 schools -- public and private -- will have to stop in person learning beginning november 23.

Middle and high school students will remain in virtual learning until january 4 -- and elementary schools may reopen on december 7 if their county is not in the red.

Mullins says -- while the restrictions may be frustrating -- "we know there's no easy answers to any of this so we just have to take what we're given and work with it as best we can."

The governor says the state is launching a 40 million dollar fund to assist restaurants and bars through the new restrictions -- each qualifying business will receive 10 thousand dollars.