With a Second Surge of COVID Cases Across Indiana - New Restrictions Follow
Governor Eric Holcomb - Clark Wade, November 11, 2020
In Governor Holcomb’s latest update, he has announced pivoting from a blanket response, to county by county response. This is based upon a color coded system that tracks the infection rate per county. How does this affect businesses?
Beginning on Monday, November 16th at 12:01AM, these policies go into effect. All counties must continue to have signage posted at public and employee entrances stating face masks required. This also means businesses should be following enforcement of only masked individuals to be permitted into these spaces. All patrons should remain socially distanced at 6ft apart in restaurants, bars, & nightclubs. In addition to self-policing, Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security and the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission will be assisting local governments to check in on these businesses, to ensure the policies are being followed.
A county deemed as an orange level county will have to follow a reduction in common areas and break rooms, with social gatherings limited to 50 people. Any events with an expected attendance over 50 must be approved by the local health department. For those with children, K-12 extracurricular activities are limited to 25% capacity, while community recreational sports leagues and tournaments may continue only with attendance limited to participants, parents/guardians, and required personnel.
Counties in the red level should close common areas and break rooms, and limit hours of operations for bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. Senior care activities are suspended, and long-term care facilities must follow visitation restrictions. both K-12 extracurricular activities and community recreational tournaments are limited to participants, required personnel, and parents/guardians only.
During Holcomb’s last briefing, none of the counties were blue, five were yellow, and at least nine were red. Overall, majority of counties were orange, the second highest rate of spread. All of Central Indiana landed in the orange.
In addition to the newest Executive Order put out by Governor Holcomb, a new Marion County Public Health Order has been enacted as well, further limiting venues, restaurants, and nightclubs in central Indiana.
These restrictions for venues include:
Audience must be at least 10 feet away from performing acts not wearing masks.
Venue capacities are limited to 25%
Social distancing of at least 6ft must be enforced, in addition to proper face coverings.
Pre-planned social gatherings must include a guest list and contact information for potential contact tracing.
All venues, restaurants, and bars must be closed and cleared by 12AM to 5AM.
Party sizes are limited to 6 or less per table, spaced 6ft or more apart.
For full details, the entire public health order can be viewed, here.
Additional Central Indiana-based cities, like the City of Fishers have put out their own current orders & policies that will go into effect this Wednesday, November 18.