Hogsett, city leaders to outline new measures for restaurants

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — New measures aimed at helping restaurants reopen in Marion County will be announced by Mayor Joe Hogsett and city leaders Tuesday morning.

The goal is to help the restaurants in Marion County that have been shut down for months.

The Marion County Health Department says outdoor seating can begin Friday with proper social distancing requirements.

Other new measures beginning Friday at restaurants across the county include in-person dining and a cap of 50% capacity.

All employees must have on personal protection equipment.

City officials say they have a stockpile of face coverings that are free to Marion County residents.

The mayor also announced $5 million in grant money for small businesses to buy and install personal protective equipment for employees and staff.

This is still Phase Two.

This is the beginning of the first full week since the stay-at-home order expired on Friday.

Some restaurants say there are still plenty of questions on how the system will work if outdoor seating is extended like where alcohol is allowed to be served and what the capacity on-street seating could be.

Mayor Hogsett said if the path of the virus continues to stabilize and decline, the remainder of Phase Two openings could be possible as soon as June 1.

Personal services like hair salons and nail salons still remain closed.