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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said he would issue an executive order to keep the state in Stage 4.5 of its pandemic recovery plan through Sept. 25.
The extension includes the requirement for Hoosiers to wear face coverings in public indoor settings and outdoors when social-distancing cannot be followed.
Holcomb will be extending Stage 4.5 for the third time. He first announced Stage 4.5 of the Back on Track plan on July 1. It was initially supposed to cover the period from July 4-17, but the governor on July 15 extended the stage for at least another two weeks. On July 29, he announced he would extend it again, until Aug. 27.
Stage 4.5 was not part of the original Back on Track plan but was implemented when officials became wary of moving from Stage 4 to Stage 5, representing full recovery with no restrictions on business and social behavior.
Holcomb said the additional extension of Stage 4.5 was needed because Indiana’s COVID-19 testing-positivity rate and hospitalizations remain too high.
The statewide testing-positivity rate rose from 4.4% on June 16 to 7.5% on July 27 as business and social gathering restrictions were eased. Since then, with a statewide mask mandate in effect, the rate has slipped back down to 6.6%. State health officials would like to see that rate fall below 5%.
Indiana counted 987 COVID-19 patients hospitals on Monday, up from 595 on June 26.
Local governments are allowed to issue more stringent recovery plans.
Violating the mask order has carried no penalties. It directs face covering use by anyone ages 8 and older in any indoor public or business areas and at outdoor public spaces when sufficient distancing can’t be maintained. It also requires masks in schools for grades 3 and above by students, teachers and other employees.
Here is the ongoing Stage 4.5 plan, according to the state:
Stage 4.5
– Retailers and shopping malls may operate at full capacity under social-distancing guidelines.
– 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. But “special or seasonal events” such as summer concerts, outdoor movies showings, fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades, graduation ceremonies, conventions, fundraisers, sport or racing competitions, outdoor shows or other outdoor entertainment events, are allowed to have more than 250 people in attendance if a safety plan has been approved by local health officials in advance.
– Dining room food service may continue operations at up to 75% capacity as long as social distancing is observed. Bar seating in restaurants may operate at 50% capacity. Bars and nightclubs may operate at 50% capacity as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines.
– Cultural, entertainment and tourism sites may operate at 50% capacity.
– Movie theaters, bowling alleys and similar facilities may operate at 50% capacity.
—Gyms, fitness centers and other workout facilities may operate with restrictions.
—Personal services, such as hair and nail salons, may operate with restrictions.
– Amusement parks, water parks and similar facilities may operate at 50% capacity. Reservations are encouraged to limit the number of customers at any one time.
– Raceways may operate at 50% grandstand capacity.
– Fairs, festivals and other similar outdoor events may open. Pari-mutuel horse racing and county and state fair racing may begin with 50% spectator capacity. Youth overnight camps may open.
This story will be updated.
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Kiss your Republican support good bye!
You have that right…He is spineless and don’t recall any comments on what is acceptable so goal post just keep moving as we say…Sad Sad
Halfwit Holcomb is a spineless coward when it comes to making a decision. Who is running the State of Indiana? Mike DeWiner?
Wow…Unreal all the control these politicos need and now demand…Apparently not enough business have gone broke and out of business yet…How about open up entire country including schools with no restrictions and protect those most vulnerable …He nor his lackey health director can come up with a plan to protect those most vulnerable…COME ON…World is not sterile now and never will be ! What is end game—ZERO ?…
Sad Sad as no one has been told what is acceptable ! Spineless …
Yep
I used to be a supporter.
What is the implications for masks from this?
Seems now more than ever the collusion between the politicos is the agenda. First steps to complete control of our lives and liberties
I can’t wait to see how they approach the influenza virus season!
Swamp Puppet Holcomb so much wants to be in bed and orgy with Pelosi, Schumer, Fauci, Gates, and Soros!
I’ve said it a thousand times, there must be an audit of past and present COVID test, cases, and deaths to verify, as for all the fraud already discovered.
All the experts that don’t have something politically or financially to gain refute all in charge now and get censored out of the media the same.
Enough is enough! Let’s reclaim our freedoms with what we know is the side of the truth those in control obviously aren’t on!
Updated CCP Virus data from published sources as of 8-25-2020 for Indiana, and Marion County broken out by AGE Demographic Become a Data Analyst and pull these numbers for your state and county. It’s easy, quick, simple. ANYONE including YOU can do it!. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Lrthi-cGULJNmWgeobUQa7YAojiXQPOG/edit#gid=779989744
People can decide for themselves what’s right for them. (He lost me when he dug up Todd Rokita, whom I won’t be voting for.) I can’t imagine owning a biz and having one’s livelihood taken away.
I totally understand on the 4.5. However,,, None of you politicians are supporting the little retailer trying to survive.
1. GET THE HOMeLESS OFF THE STREETS NEAR OUR BUSINESSES. I just heard the 7 million for hotels is only for aged and sick.
2. Why would long range planning approve a 38 apartment Low income complex in a location better suited for high dollar payers within walking distance of downtown. Huge disconnect. Oh, in that low income they approved 5 airbnb suites overlooking the city. They are bragging social inclusion.
3. You let ANTIFA have their way.
So right, John. This 4.5 does not apply to rioters. Outrageous.
Voted for this putz two times. Won’t do it again. Hello Donald Rainwater, Libertarian Party. This vote will feel good. Holcomb is akin to not-a-leader. At least this POS decided against attending the race, even though it was planned the week before.
Walk a mile in the governor’s shoes and then show me your post.
Dr. Fauci and Scientific evidence has proven the importance of wearing face masks and social distancing. How and when we move forward is based on the positivity rate. If all you complainers could use your ears instead of your mouths, the above has been proven.
We all can support our DT businesses by practicing the safe measures above, and by ordering carry out or eating outside.
We are where we are now because too many think we need to open everything up because they are so tired of it all. We are behind the majority of the World because Americans are not following and doing what is required.
Protect the vulnerable you say, we are all vulnerable now buddy, not just the elderly!
Fauci the Fraud? Fauci is the Bernie Madoff of Medicine – that is who you listen to?
Thank you, Lorna, for a voice of reason.
I hope all of you saying you’ll vote against Holcomb follow through. Indiana will finally have a democratic governor again! Hope you all enjoy that administration.
Yes, Tim O., I listen to Dr. Fauci, CDC, science experts, and use common sense. Have you heard of common sense?
I am a bit confused. If things are not improving with 4.5 why would another 30 days of 4.5 solve the problem?
Extending 4.5 stage allows more time for us to stop the spread by continuing to wear masks and social distancing. This also is time for those who are not complying to start to stop the spread instead of increasing It.
We can’t move forward and open up more while too many are not wearing masks AND social distancing. It is not one or the other, it is both.