WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said Indiana has made advances in curbing the spread of the coronavirus, but the state’s mask mandate will continue through at least Oct. 17.
Holcomb
“No one wants to wear a face mask. This is different for Americans, for Hoosiers. I get it,” Holcomb said.
However, Indiana will go beyond Stage 4.5 of the Back on Track Indiana plan for reopening, advancing to Stage 5 beginning Saturday and continuing through Oct. 17.
Here is an outline of Stage 5:
- Face coverings required for all Hoosiers. The mask mandate had been set to end after Saturday.
- Maintain social distancing, wash your hands, and do not go to work or school or in public places if you feel sick.
- Size limitations removed for social gatherings and meetings. Organizers of events that will include more than 500 people must submit a written plan to the local health department.
- Restaurants and bars that offer food service may open at full capacity. Appropriate social distancing must be maintained between tables. Bar section customers must be seated.
- Bars and nightclubs may open at full capacity. Customers must be seated; social distancing required.
- Indoor and outdoor venues may open at full capacity.
- Senior centers and congregate nutrition sites may reopen according to Indiana Family and Social Services Administration guidelines.
- Personal services, gyms, fitness centers and workout facilities may resume normal operations.
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to provide visitation opportunities.
- Communities are encouraged to monitor the county’s standing in the color-coded metrics map and enact additional precautions if needed.
Box
Indiana’s health commissioner, Dr. Kristina Box, said evidence and real-life examples show people without symptoms can spread the coronavirus, primarily through respiratory droplets. She said cloth masks have been shown to reduce the transfer of those droplets.
Box said the seven-day positivity rate in Indiana has dropped from 6.4 percent when the state’s mask mandate began July 27 to 3.9 percent on Sept. 16.
In Indiana, 113,337 positive coronavirus tests have been recorded and 3,305 Hoosiers have died from the disease. Another 225 are believed to have died of COVID-19 based on their clinical diagnosis.