(5-1-20) Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb on Friday announced this afternoon a phased reopening plan for the state of Indiana. The current stay-at-home order will end on Monday May 4th. Meanwhile Ohio, the eastern neighbor of the Hoosier state extended their stay at home order until May 29th.

Holcomb said if the guidelines are followed, the state should be operating normally by July 4.

The first stay at home order began on March 24th, since that time 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

The phases of the reopening plan –

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 Governor also stated they will keep an eye on the situation, should the goals not be met some restriction might be reinstated. Some counties in urban areas may delay some of the target dates if local officials see fit to do that.

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