Coronavirus

Most of Indiana to Move to Next Phase of Reopening Plan Friday, Holcomb Says

Most of Indiana will move to the third phase of the state's reopening plan beginning Friday, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday.

All counties except Lake, Marion and Cass counties will move into phase three of the reopening plan beginning at 12:01 a.m. EST under an order Holcomb said he would sign Thursday.

Lake, Marion and Cass counties will join the rest of the state in phase three on June 1, he said.

In phase three, Holcomb said the state's restrictions will allow:

  • Individuals at risk, including those over 65, to venture out cautiously
  • Social gatherings of up to 100 people
  • Retail stores and malls to move to 75% capacity
  • Playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, pools, campgrounds, gyms, fitness centers and more to reopen with restrictions and social distancing
  • Recreational sports practices to begin, though contact sports like football and lacrosse will remain prohibited
  • Youth summer day camps to begin on June 1
  • Raceways to begin without spectators

Those who can work remotely should continue to do so in this phase, Holcomb has previously said.

He encouraged residents to continue to practice social distancing and wear masks in public, urging everyone to take precautions to slow the spread of the deadly virus.

'We've earned the ability to continue to move forward," Holcomb said Wednesday. "That's because people have been, by and large for the most part… paying attention to wearing a mask when you're in large crowds or close to folks, or that social, physical distancing, that 6 feet plus - those things that really made a difference."

"We all have a role in this and the number one thing you can do is wear a mask when you're around a lot of other people," he continued. "That physical distancing, going to go a long way. Washing your hands, all those hygiene habits that we mentioned… those add up and make a difference."

"We've been successful to date because again, by and large, most people are doing these things," Holcomb said, adding, "Just make sure that you're doing everything that you can, because this is about public health and our role in it and so we've got to hold each other accountable."

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced on Friday a five-stage roadmap aimed at “having Indiana back on track by July 4.”

Holcomb unveiled the region-by-region reopening plan on May 1, with most areas entering stage two of the plan on May 4. Marion and Lake Counties were unable to move to stage two until May 11, with Cass County beginning stage two one week later.

In stage two, retail, shopping malls and commercial businesses opened at 50% capacity, personal services like hair salons, barber shops, spas and tattoo parlors were allowed to open by appointment only and restaurants and bars that serve food opened at 50% capacity, with bar seating remaining closed.

In announcing the reopening plan, Holcomb said it is aimed at getting Hoosiers "back on track by July 4."

If still on track on June 14, the state will advance to stage four, which will make face coverings optional, allow social gatherings of up to 250 people, reopen large venues and state buildings, and increase retail stores and malls to full capacity. Recreational sports, leagues and tournaments may also resume in stage four and restaurants can open at 75% capacity.

By July 4, Holcomb said he hopes the state will enter stage five.

"Even in stage five, we will continue to do social distancing," he said.

At that time, the state will determine how to proceed with the upcoming school year.

"As life starts to slowly return to that new normal, making progress towards being fully back on track will require constant vigilance from all of us as we lift restrictions and more people return to work, visit a store or restaurant and participate in more activities," Holcomb said.

NBC Chicago/Associated Press
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