Indiana Pauses Reopening Plan
Gov. Eric Holcomb dons a mask as the state pauses the reopening plan.
The Hoosier state is putting a partial two-week pause on its five-stage Back on Track reopening plan, citing an increase in the number of hospitalizations of patients testing positive with COVID-19.
“We’re going to 4.5, not 5,” said Governor Eric Holcomb, who announced Wednesday that while a few restrictions will lift on July 4, most will stay in place, including capacity at restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
Elkhart County, which saw 400 new positive cases in one week, will remain at stage 4.
“While most of our health indicators remain positive, our data indicates a need to be extra cautious, which is why we will pause much of our Back on Track roadmap,” said Holcomb.
The state had tentatively set July 4 as the date for Indiana to enter the final phase reopening plan, but Holcomb has said advancing to the next level depended on the data showing no growth in the number of cases.
“We want to continue to be conservative and smart about this,” said Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana State Department of Health commissioner. ” We thought that looking at our numbers for another couple of weeks, helping to make the decision about how far we advance in another couple of weeks was more appropriate.”
Data from the Indiana State Department of Health shows the state had 595 hospitalizations as of June 26, but on Wednesday the number spiked to 668 hospitalizations.
“The volatility that we see, even in some areas of our own state, but especially around the country, and especially around our own borders, is of concern and that’s what’s given us pause to push pause in some areas,” said Holcomb.
Through at least July 17, the following restrictions will continue:
- Social gatherings following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines will be limited to up to 250 people. This limit applies to wedding receptions, parties, and other events where people are in close physical contact for extended periods of time, particularly indoors.
- Dining room food service may continue operations at up to 75% capacity as long as social distancing is observed. Bar seating in restaurants may continue operations at 50% capacity. Bars and nightclubs may continue operations open at 50% capacity as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines.
- Cultural, entertainment and tourism sites may continue operations open at 50% capacity.
- Movie theaters, bowling alleys and similar facilities may continue operations open at 50% capacity.
- Amusement parks, water parks and similar facilities may continue operations open at 50% capacity. Reservations are encouraged to limit the number of customers at any one time.
- Raceways may continue operations open at 50% grandstand capacity.
Holcomb says the state will sit at this level through at least July 17, when his administration will announce whether the state moves to stage 5.
“It’s a very volatile environment around the country and Indiana is not immune,” said Holcomb.
When asked why the state is not requiring the use of masks, Box said forcing residents to wear a mask may have a negative effect.
“Mandating masks may make a difference, but my concern is sometimes it makes people almost more stubborn and stand their ground,” explained Box. “’You’re trying to force me to do this, and I’m absolutely not going to be forced to do this.’”
While not mandating their use, the state has also reemphasized the use of masks, with the release of a new video Public Service Announcement campaign.
As far as community celebrations for the July 4th weekend, Holcomb said outdoor events can go on as planned.
“The risk of transmission is up to 19 times less when outdoors compared to indoor activity,” said Holcomb. “When you look at where our large numbers were, our surges were, certainly they were indoor type activities.”
He said Hoosiers who take part in a parade or a fireworks show this week, be properly distanced and “mask up.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Marion County Health Director Dr. Virginia Caine will conduct a news conference Thursday to discuss any specific plans for the metro area pertaining to reopening plans.
View Gov. Holcomb’s full news briefing below: