Opinion ID: 4644043
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Florence Speedway’s Allegations

Text: Next, Florence Speedway complains that the June 1, 2020 Healthy at Work: Requirements for Automobile Racing Tracks56 contains arbitrary provisions, those being: (1) only allowing authorized employees and essential drivers and crews on the premises when indoor facilities like restaurants and bowling alleys are allowed 33% capacity; (2) limiting its food service to “carryout only” when restaurants are permitted to operate at 33% capacity indoors; and (3) requiring PPE with no exceptions, which prevents it from complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.57 Because this was at a time when it was not permitted to have fans, Florence Speedway indicated that it was willing to space spectators six feet from people of a different household. By the time the Boone Circuit Court conducted an evidentiary hearing for the injunction request and issued its order, however, the requirements directly challenged had all changed. When Florence Speedway amended its motion for a temporary injunction, it did not challenge the capacity requirement in effect but, as a business reliant on family attendance, objected to the social distancing requirement which did not allow household members to sit within six feet of one another. Florence Speedway argued the six-foot social 56The Governor’s June 3, 2020 order, incorporating the Healthy at Work requirements, made them effective June 1, 2020. 57 The order actually provided: “Racetracks should ensure employees and racing crews wear appropriate face coverings at all times practicable . . . .” The requirements state that for employees who are isolated with more than six feet of social distancing, face coverings are not necessary at all times. 77 distancing requirement was arbitrary as household members maintain close proximity to each other throughout everyday life. As noted above, on June 22, 2020, the requirements for restaurants were amended, allowing an increase from 33% to 50% indoor dining capacity. On June 29, 2020, the public-facing businesses order was amended to allow venues and event spaces, including Florence Speedway, to reopen to the public.58 The amendment allows 50% of the maximum capacity permitted at a venue, assuming all individuals can maintain six feet of space between them with that level of occupancy. Additionally, if the venues operate any form of dining service, those services must comply with the requirements for restaurants and bars. On July 10, 2020, the emergency mask regulation provided a number of exemptions for the wearing of face coverings, one exemption being for “[a]ny person with disability, or a physical or mental impairment, that prevents them from safely wearing a face covering.” 58 The Healthy at Work: Requirements for Venues and Event Spaces applied to, among other businesses, “professional and amateur sporting/athletic stadiums and arenas.” During the July 1, 2020 hearing of Plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order, Governor’s counsel explained that Florence Speedway’s capacity complaint was moot because the June 29 Healthy at Work order allowed it to open at 50% capacity. In response to Florence Speedway’s concern that a footnote in the order suggested differently, Governor’s counsel clarified that Florence Speedway was able to open at 50% capacity and offered to amend the order to address Florence Speedway’s concern. A revised order was issued, effective July 10, 2020. The July 10 order maintained the six-foot social distancing requirement for individuals. Florence Speedway, its business relying on family attendance, testified at the July 16 injunction hearing about the negative business impact of not being allowed to have family members sit within six feet of each other. Effective July 22, 2020, the social distancing requirement for venues and event spaces was amended to “[a]ll individuals in the venue or event space must be able to maintain six (6) feet of space from everyone who is not a member of their household.” 78 Except for the claim related to the inability of household members to sit within six feet of one another, which we discuss further below, the succeeding orders made Florence Speedway’s initial claims of arbitrariness moot by the time the trial court entered its July 20 order. Of course, one exception to the mootness doctrine is the “capable of repetition, yet evading review” exception. Philpot v. Patton, 837 S.W.2d 491, 493 (Ky. 1992). Under this exception, Kentucky courts consider “whether (1) the ‘challenged action is too short in duration to be fully litigated prior to its cessation or expiration and (2) there is a reasonable expectation that the same complaining party would be subject to the same action again.’” Id. (quoting In re Commerce Oil Co., 847 F.2d 291, 293 (6th Cir. 1988)). However, the Florence Speedway’s claims of arbitrariness as to the June 1, 2020 Healthy at Work: Requirements for Automobile Racing Tracks do not meet the criteria for the “capable of repetition, yet evading review” exception. The nature of this case, a public health pandemic, is extraordinary and evolving knowledge of the virus results in evolving responses. Consequently, this is not the usual case of a challenged action being too short in duration to be fully litigated prior to its cessation or expiration. And given the advancement of knowledge of COVID-19 and the ongoing attempts to balance that knowledge with keeping the economy open, no reasonable expectation exists that Florence Speedway will again be subject to the initially challenged business restrictions. In terms of Florence Speedway’s challenge against the social distancing requirement which did not 79 allow family members to sit within six feet of one another, we conclude that requirement was arbitrary. During the July 16 hearing, Dr. Stack testified about the public health concerns related to sporting events. He said sporting events are particularly concerning because people are often shouting and cheering, which leads to an increased spread of the respiratory droplets that transmit the virus. This enhanced risk exists even outdoors due to the shouting and cheering. Also, eating and drinking increase saliva and spread respiratory droplets and consuming food and drink is not compatible with mask wearing. However, he agreed no medical or public health reason would prohibit household members sitting together at an event space and acknowledged that household seating had been permitted in other activities. Effective July 22, 2020, the social distancing requirement for venues and event spaces was amended to “[a]ll individuals in the venue or event space must be able to maintain six (6) feet of space from everyone who is not a member of their household.” Based on Dr. Stack’s testimony, we must conclude that there was not a rational basis for the social distancing requirement initially imposed on Florence Speedway. Given that the social distancing requirement was amended six days after the injunction hearing, Florence Speedway has now received the relief which it sought. 80