What are the exceptions?
The order will have exceptions for medical purposes, disabilities, exercising, and eating and drinking.
Can I still go to the gym?
Yes, there is an exception for “strenuous activity” but many gyms might have their own policies. The rules are stricter in Marion County (where the number of cases are higher) and gyms can only be open at 25 percent capacity. That was decided by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, not the governor.
Can I still go out to eat?
Yes, there is an exception for eating and drinking. Many restaurants are recommending mask usage for people picking up carryout orders, waiting in lines for food or waiting to be seated.
In Hamilton County, restaurants are allowed to open at 75 percent capacity but many have reduced their capacity further than that and some are only doing carryout or drive-thru. Some have reduced hours. All bar and restaurant employees are required to wear masks.
The rules are stricter in Marion County and bars and nightclubs that don’t serve food are asked to close until Aug. 12. Indianapolis restaurants will be at 50 percent capacity indoors. Restaurants must close between midnight and 5 a.m. That was an order from Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, not Gov. Holcomb.
How long will this last?
The mask mandate will last “as long as we need it to,” Holcomb said. There’s no set date.
What are the penalties?
Under the order, violators could be punished with a Class B misdemeanor and up to a $1,000 fine. Gov. Holcomb emphasized it will be about education first and there will be no “mask police.”
He said enforcement will not be strict and he said he believes Hoosiers will do the right thing.
“Please know that the mask police will not be patrolling Indiana streets,” Holcomb said.
Why are restaurants in Hamilton county not having employees wear masks? Ericas in Cicero are not having employees wear masks? We were going to eat there until we found out about unsafe violations.