Gov. Holcomb announces phased reopening plan for Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday announced a phased reopening plan for the state of Indiana. He also extended the stay-at-home order to May 4.
Holcomb said if the guidelines are followed, the state should be operating normally by July 4.
The first phase of the reopening began March 24 with Holcomb’s first stay-at-home order. It is slated to end May 4, when the second phase begins.
Holcomb said he and state officials have been using data to drive the decisions about when to open the state. He said the four principles that determine the reopening include:
- The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide has decreased for 14 days
- The state retains its surge capacity for critical care beds and ventilators
- The state retains the ability to test all Hoosiers who are COVID-19 symptomatic, as well as health care workers, essential workers, first responders, and others as delineated on the ISDH website
- Health officials have systems in place to contact all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and complete contact tracing
Holcomb said if these principles can’t be met, the state may have to “return to an earlier stage of the governor’s stay-at-home order.”
He outlined the phases of the reopening plan during his daily briefing Friday afternoon.
Stage 1 – March 24 – May 4
- Essential work permitted
- Carry-out, curbside and delivery only at restaurants
- Bars, gyms and person services closed
Stage 2 – Beginning May 4 for all counties except Cass, Lake and Marion (Lake and Marion counties may begin on May 11; Cass County may begin on May 18)
- Essential travel restrictions lifted
- Residents recommended to wear face masks when in public
- No social or mass gatherings of more than 25 people
- Malls, retail and commercial businesses open at 50% capacity
- Dining room service open at 50% capacity beginning one week after start of Stage 2
- Bars, gyms and playgrounds remain closed
- Personal services open by appointment only
Stage 3 – Beginning May 24
- Retail, malls open to 75% capacity
- Bars and nightclubs closed
- Gyms open with restrictions
- Playgrounds, campgrounds open with social distancing limitations
Stage 4 – Beginning June 14
- Office settings may resume in-office work at full capacity
- Retail, malls, commercial businesses open at full capacity
- Dining service at restaurants open at 75% capacity with bar seating open at 50% capacity
- Bars and nightclubs open at 50% capacity
- Personal services open by appointment only
- Museums and aquariums open at 50% capacity
Stage 5 – Beginning July 4
- Retail stores, malls operate at full capacity
- Restaurants, bars and nightclubs operate at full capacity
- Personal services open at full capacity
- Restrictions lifted at gyms and fitness centers
- Conventions, sports events, fairs, festivals may resume
The guidelines can be read in full online.
Holcomb said local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines if necessary.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett extended Marion County’s stay-at-home order on Thursday to May 15.
“It’s clear from talking to state leaders and community stakeholders that the challenges we face here in Indianapolis are unique – a city filled with large venues, densely populated neighborhoods, and active business centers. To ensure that we see continued progress in our fight against this virus, we must recommit to our social distancing efforts even as we plan for the future,” said Mayor Hogsett. “I appreciate Governor Holcomb’s partnership as he and his team continue to address the diverse needs of Hoosier communities.”
The new Marion County order maintains current restrictions on nonessential businesses. Restaurants will still be able to offer carry-out or delivery services and grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential businesses will remain open. Also with the new order, farmers markets and golf courses will be allowed to open on May 2 but with strict sanitation and social distancing guidelines.
Hogsett released the following statement regarding Holcomb’s guidelines on reopening the state:
“I want to thank Governor Holcomb, Dr. Box, and our partners at the State of Indiana for their work to provide today’s set of policy recommendations. I am particularly appreciative that this statewide strategy will continue to allow counties to address the unique challenges faced by densely populated areas such as Indianapolis. In the coming days, Marion County public health leaders will analyze this phased approach to assess how it can be implemented in Indianapolis. It is my intention to provide additional guidance to residents and businesses next week as to how we can begin to work our way through these phases.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett
Gov. Holcomb previously said he has been communicating with leaders in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Kentucky.
“We are all thinking about that smart restart, opening of our state in a very gradual, methodical way, if the numbers continue to hold,” he said.
Holcomb said the state leaders want to make sure that neighbors are informed about the actions the neighboring states are taking when it comes to the reopening process.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has released guidelines on a phased reopening of the state, saying health care providers could begin reopening Friday. Sectors including general office environments, manufacturing, distribution and construction are slated to reopen May 4.
DeWine said consumer and retail services will begin reopening on May 12.
Indiana State Department of Health announced on Friday that 55 more Hoosiers have died from COVID-19, bringing the total death toll to 1,062.
The state releases updated COVID-19 numbers daily on their website.