Businesses across Kentucky are reopening under state guidelines developed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Somerset - Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bobby Clue said many larger companies acquired masks earlier in preparation for reopening, but small businesses needed more assistance to keep their employees and customers safe.
"One of the concerns small businesses have is getting enough personal protective equipment (PPE) so they can open with the restrictions the state has placed on them," said Clue.
Many businesses are especially in need of the protective equipment, such as salons, barber shops and restaurants.
“Our Judge Executive and the Pulaski County government purchased 10,000 masks that the Chamber of Commerce has been tasked with handing out to our small business community," said Clue. "That's going to make a huge impact in getting these guys up and running and doing it the correct way, so they’re within standards of what is required of them.”
Clue said his group was kept busy distributing the masks and most of the 10,000 were given out in one day, at no cost to area businesses.
Many businesses in the Somerset-Pulaski County area reported that they experienced a lot of activity during the Memorial Day weekend.
The Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce has nearly 900 members, and about 75 percent of those have 10 or fewer employees.
