Indiana will move to the next stage of its Back on Track plan a couple days ahead of schedule. Governor Eric Holcomb has announced that Stage 4 will begin this Friday at 12:01 a.m.
“Social gatherings will go up to 250 people, up from where we were,” he explained during Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing. “Restaurant and dining facilities will be open to 75 percent of their capacity, bars and nightclubs up to 50 percent of their capacity, again, while maintaining the physical or the social distancing.”
It also means movie theaters, bowling alleys, museums, zoos, amusement parks, water parks, and racing venues may all open at 50-percent capacity.
The governor will also allow communities to reopen playgrounds, but State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box urges parents to take precautions. “Carry that hand sanitizer along with you,” Box said. “Encourage your children to wear masks if they can, especially if they’re on the merry-go-round with another five or six kids. Encourage them to social distance, but I know they’re probably not going to do that very well. Avoid feeding them when they’re on the playground. Make sure that if you do, that you alcohol their hands.”
Youth and adult sports may resume Friday. More guidance can be found in the governor’s executive order. Casinos and charity gaming may reopen Monday at 6:00 a.m.
Dr. Box says the four categories of data the state uses to guide its reopening plans all look good for now. “We have continued to see a decline in hospitalizations from May 11th, where we had 1,346 COVID-related patients in the hospital, down to 902 on June 8th,” Box said. “We have also seen hospitalizations admitted per day decline from May 8th until June 1st.”
She urges residents to continue to practice social distancing and safe hygiene as the reopening continues. “As we move to Stage 4, it doesn’t really mean that we go back to the normal – no masks, no social distancing, no careful hand washing, alcoholing your hands – all of those are critical,” Box said. “Wearing that mask is important. It’s especially important for our very vulnerable residents, and your wearing your mask helps to protect them.”
Hoosiers age 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions should be especially cautious and limit the amount of time they spend in public, if possible.
