For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Governor Announces Modifications to State’s Back on Track Plan
INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced the state
will modify the
Back On Track Indiana plan through at least July 17.
While a few restrictions will lift on July 4 in version 4.5 of the plan,
most will stay in place. Elkhart County will remain fully in Stage 4 until
at least July 17. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.
“While most of our health indicators remain positive, our data indicates
a need to be extra cautious, which is why we will pause much of our Back
on Track roadmap,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I urge Hoosiers to
maintain vigilance in social distancing and wearing masks so we can continue
to reopen our state for business.”
Gov. Holcomb has used data to drive decisions since the state’s first
case of the novel coronavirus in early March and he continues to do so
as the state continues a sector-by-sector reset. The state will move to
reopen while continuing to monitor and respond to these four guiding principles:
- 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 its ability to test all Hoosiers who are COVID-19 symptomatic
as well as health care workers, first responders, and frontline employees
- Health officials have systems in place to contact all individuals who test
positive for COVID-19 and expand contact tracing
Through at least July 17, the following restrictions will continue:
- 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.
- Dining room food service may continue operations at up to 75 percent capacity
as long as social distancing is observed. Bar seating in restaurants may
continue operations at 50 percent capacity. Bars and nightclubs may continue
operations open at 50 percent capacity as long as they adhere to social
distancing guidelines.
- Cultural, entertainment and tourism sites may continue operations open
at 50 percent capacity.
- Movie theaters, bowling alleys and similar facilities may continue operations
open at 50 percent capacity.
- Amusement parks, water parks and similar facilities may continue operations
open at 50 percent capacity. Reservations are encouraged to limit the
number of customers at any one time.
- Raceways may continue operations open at 50 percent grandstand capacity.
Beginning July 4, fairs, festivals and other similar outdoor events may
open. Pari-mutuel horse racing and county and state fair racing may begin
with 50 percent spectator capacity. Youth overnight camps may open.
K-12 school operations may begin the 2020-21 academic year on July 1. Extra-curricular,
co-curricular activities may resume July 6.
Outdoor visitation is required at assisted living facilities and nursing
homes beginning July 4 and indoor visitation may begin. Hospital visitations
with precautions are encouraged.
Hoosiers 65 and over and those with high-risk health conditions –
who are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus – should adhere to
social distancing guidelines and remain cautious. Face coverings in public
places are highly recommended.
Gov. Holcomb and Indiana State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kris
Box, M.D., FACOG, today announced a statewide initiative to encourage
Hoosiers to wear masks to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The #MaskUpHoosiers initiative is launching with videos and photos of state
government leaders, celebrities, and Hoosiers from all walks of life sharing
their heartfelt reasons for wearing a mask in public, which is one of
the strongest steps possible to limit the spread of COVID-19, saving lives
and allowing the state to continue its phased re-opening. Additional photos
and videos will be featured as the educational campaign progresses. Visit
www.coronavirus.in.gov/maskuphoosiers to learn more.
To learn more about the different stages and the associated dates to get
a better understanding about where we’re going as a state, click
here to see the full plan:
BackOnTrack.in.gov
The Governor signed an executive order implementing these changes to the
Back on Track Indiana roadmap. The Governor also signed an executive order
extending the public health emergency through Aug. 3. The executive orders
can be found here:
https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm
Click here to download public service announcements (PSAs) recorded by
the state for your use:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/egf210ognxxyx4h/AADYd7E-tBn7P6gtiLSZUiVBa?dl=0
More information may be found at the ISDH website at
coronavirus.in.gov and the CDC website at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.