May 1, 2020 at 8:58 p.m.
Coming back
Governor lays out five-stage plan, starting with retail to open at 50-percent capacity Monday
Coming back
It’s a process.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday laid out the next four stages the state will go through in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with a goal of returning nearly to normal July 4.
The next stages — Holcomb considers stage one to have started with Indiana’s stay-at-home order at midnight March 24 — are as follows.
Stage 2
Beginning Monday, in all counties except Marion, Lake and Cass, which have the highest COVID-19 case totals in the state and will follow different timing, retail locations will be allowed to open at 50-percent capacity. State government offices will open for limited service. Social distancing will still be enforced. Those who are 65 or older and/or have medical issues that make them more susceptible to serious illness should remain at home.
Starting May 8, in-person worship services will be allowed with social distancing required. Those who are at risk should stay at home, and virtual and/or outdoor services will still be encouraged. “Church leaders, we need you to keep your congregations safe,” Holcomb said.
Beginning May 11, restaurants and bars that serve food will be allowed to open at 50-percent capacity with all bar seating to remain closed. Barbers and hair salons may open by appointment only and following social distancing. Offices may also open, though working from home is still encouraged.
Stage 3
On May 24, those who are 65 or older may leave home. Social gatherings of up to 100 will be allowed with social distancing. Retail stores may increase to 75-percent capacity. Movie theaters and mall common areas may open at 50-percent capacity. Playgrounds may open with restrictions and social distancing.
Stage 4
Beginning June 14, face masks will be optional. Social gatherings of up to 250 will be allowed. Amusement parks, zoos and museums may open at 50-percent capacity. Dining room service may increase to 75-percent capacity and bar seating may open at 50-percent capacity. Malls can open at full capacity. State government buildings will open.
Stage 5
On July 4, fairs, festivals and sporting events may resume with social distancing. Retail and restaurants may increase to full capacity. Restrictions will be lifted at amusement parks and water parks.
Also, a decision will be made about how the 2020-21 school year will be handled.
“This is our five-stage plan to get Indiana back on track,” said Holcomb. “It’s a methodical, step-by-step plan for steady progress, which we will strictly monitor.”
For the full details on the plan, visit bit.ly/INBackonTrack.
Holcomb noted that the state will be following four “guiding principals” — decreasing the number of those who are hospitalized because of COVID-19, retaining the capacity of beds and ventilators, having the ability to test all Hoosiers who are symptomatic and contact tracing all cases — throughout the process of reopening.
The governor emphasized that state officials will be keeping an eye on those factors throughout the process. If the situation in the state worsens, it may be necessary to pause or even step back in the five-stage process to reopening.
“As life starts to slowly return to that new normal, making progress toward being fully back on track will require constant vigilance,” said Holcomb. “This is up to each and every one of us, all of us.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine had laid out his state’s first steps for reopening Monday, making them official Friday with his new executive order — Stay Safe Ohio.
It includes the following:
Friday — Elective medical procedures that do not require an overnight stay are permitted, as well as most functions for dentists and veterinarians.
May 4 — Manufacturing, construction and transportation operations will be allowed to open. General offices will be allowed to open but will still be encouraged to have employees work from home, if possible.
May 12 — Retail locations will be allowed to open.
Employees will be required to wear face masks in most cases. Customers are encouraged to wear them. Social distancing is required in all cases, and businesses should designate 6-foot distances, provide hand sanitizer and have separate hours for those who are at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
The order, which runs through May 29, requires Ohioans to stay at home except for activities allowed in the order — those that were already allowed and those listed above. Public gatherings of more than 10 remain prohibited.
Facilities that must remain closed include schools, restaurants, bars, personal appearance/beauty, entertainment, recreation and gyms.
“I need your help,” said DeWine, noting his desire to not have to take steps back in the process. “I don’t think that’s going to be hard. Ohioans have done an amazing job …
“We need to continue to do these things. We need to continue to be careful.”
The new executive orders from the governors came as both states have seen recent increases in cases.
Indiana State Department of Health’s update Friday showed 815 new cases of COVID-19, marking the ninth day in a row it was at 600 or higher. It’s the second-highest thus far, trailing only the 963 in Monday’s report
Ohio Department of Health reported 716 new cases Friday. The number has been above 700 two days in a row after being lower than 500 every day from April 22 through 28.
Ohio has 18,743 cases. The state also reported 27 new deaths to bring its total to 1,002.
Indiana’s new cases have spiked recently, with 5,037 reported in the last week for an average of 720 per day. That’s up from 3,526 (503 per day) the previous week.
The state now has a total of 18,630 positive cases, with 18.7% of those testing coming back positive.
The state department of health Friday also reported 55 new deaths as a result of COVID-19. That marks the third time in four days that the number has cleared 50.
Thus far, 1,062 Hoosiers have died of COVID-19, with 218 of those reported to the state in the last four days.
Jay County Department of Health reported two new confirmed cases Thursday, bringing the local total to 17.
Other area county totals are as follows: Delaware (182), Darke (76), Mercer (26), Randolph (15), Blackford (eight), Adams (seven) and Wells (five).
Coronavirus is spread through respiratory droplets from sneezes and coughs, close personal contact and touching something with the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes before washing hands. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines encourage frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and covering coughs and sneezes with a facial tissue and wearing a mask in public.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday laid out the next four stages the state will go through in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with a goal of returning nearly to normal July 4.
The next stages — Holcomb considers stage one to have started with Indiana’s stay-at-home order at midnight March 24 — are as follows.
Stage 2
Beginning Monday, in all counties except Marion, Lake and Cass, which have the highest COVID-19 case totals in the state and will follow different timing, retail locations will be allowed to open at 50-percent capacity. State government offices will open for limited service. Social distancing will still be enforced. Those who are 65 or older and/or have medical issues that make them more susceptible to serious illness should remain at home.
Starting May 8, in-person worship services will be allowed with social distancing required. Those who are at risk should stay at home, and virtual and/or outdoor services will still be encouraged. “Church leaders, we need you to keep your congregations safe,” Holcomb said.
Beginning May 11, restaurants and bars that serve food will be allowed to open at 50-percent capacity with all bar seating to remain closed. Barbers and hair salons may open by appointment only and following social distancing. Offices may also open, though working from home is still encouraged.
Stage 3
On May 24, those who are 65 or older may leave home. Social gatherings of up to 100 will be allowed with social distancing. Retail stores may increase to 75-percent capacity. Movie theaters and mall common areas may open at 50-percent capacity. Playgrounds may open with restrictions and social distancing.
Stage 4
Beginning June 14, face masks will be optional. Social gatherings of up to 250 will be allowed. Amusement parks, zoos and museums may open at 50-percent capacity. Dining room service may increase to 75-percent capacity and bar seating may open at 50-percent capacity. Malls can open at full capacity. State government buildings will open.
Stage 5
On July 4, fairs, festivals and sporting events may resume with social distancing. Retail and restaurants may increase to full capacity. Restrictions will be lifted at amusement parks and water parks.
Also, a decision will be made about how the 2020-21 school year will be handled.
“This is our five-stage plan to get Indiana back on track,” said Holcomb. “It’s a methodical, step-by-step plan for steady progress, which we will strictly monitor.”
For the full details on the plan, visit bit.ly/INBackonTrack.
Holcomb noted that the state will be following four “guiding principals” — decreasing the number of those who are hospitalized because of COVID-19, retaining the capacity of beds and ventilators, having the ability to test all Hoosiers who are symptomatic and contact tracing all cases — throughout the process of reopening.
The governor emphasized that state officials will be keeping an eye on those factors throughout the process. If the situation in the state worsens, it may be necessary to pause or even step back in the five-stage process to reopening.
“As life starts to slowly return to that new normal, making progress toward being fully back on track will require constant vigilance,” said Holcomb. “This is up to each and every one of us, all of us.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine had laid out his state’s first steps for reopening Monday, making them official Friday with his new executive order — Stay Safe Ohio.
It includes the following:
Friday — Elective medical procedures that do not require an overnight stay are permitted, as well as most functions for dentists and veterinarians.
May 4 — Manufacturing, construction and transportation operations will be allowed to open. General offices will be allowed to open but will still be encouraged to have employees work from home, if possible.
May 12 — Retail locations will be allowed to open.
Employees will be required to wear face masks in most cases. Customers are encouraged to wear them. Social distancing is required in all cases, and businesses should designate 6-foot distances, provide hand sanitizer and have separate hours for those who are at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
The order, which runs through May 29, requires Ohioans to stay at home except for activities allowed in the order — those that were already allowed and those listed above. Public gatherings of more than 10 remain prohibited.
Facilities that must remain closed include schools, restaurants, bars, personal appearance/beauty, entertainment, recreation and gyms.
“I need your help,” said DeWine, noting his desire to not have to take steps back in the process. “I don’t think that’s going to be hard. Ohioans have done an amazing job …
“We need to continue to do these things. We need to continue to be careful.”
The new executive orders from the governors came as both states have seen recent increases in cases.
Indiana State Department of Health’s update Friday showed 815 new cases of COVID-19, marking the ninth day in a row it was at 600 or higher. It’s the second-highest thus far, trailing only the 963 in Monday’s report
Ohio Department of Health reported 716 new cases Friday. The number has been above 700 two days in a row after being lower than 500 every day from April 22 through 28.
Ohio has 18,743 cases. The state also reported 27 new deaths to bring its total to 1,002.
Indiana’s new cases have spiked recently, with 5,037 reported in the last week for an average of 720 per day. That’s up from 3,526 (503 per day) the previous week.
The state now has a total of 18,630 positive cases, with 18.7% of those testing coming back positive.
The state department of health Friday also reported 55 new deaths as a result of COVID-19. That marks the third time in four days that the number has cleared 50.
Thus far, 1,062 Hoosiers have died of COVID-19, with 218 of those reported to the state in the last four days.
Jay County Department of Health reported two new confirmed cases Thursday, bringing the local total to 17.
Other area county totals are as follows: Delaware (182), Darke (76), Mercer (26), Randolph (15), Blackford (eight), Adams (seven) and Wells (five).
Coronavirus is spread through respiratory droplets from sneezes and coughs, close personal contact and touching something with the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes before washing hands. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines encourage frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and covering coughs and sneezes with a facial tissue and wearing a mask in public.
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