INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday that the state has organized a five-step plan to reopen Indiana’s economy.
Originally, the state implemented four principals that it would follow before reopening and they have been met: The number of hospitalized patients has decreased the last 14 days, capacity to treat a surge of COVID-19 patients is available, the state is now able to test all symptomatic residents, and contact tracing has been expanded.
The Governor explained the five-stage reopening process.
Stage 1 was the stay-at-home order that residents just experienced.
Stage 2 starts this Monday, May 4, and allows local governments to implement restrictions. Malls, retail businesses, and commercial businesses can open at 50% capacity on May 4. Hair and nail salons may open May 11 by appointment only. Restaurants open at 50% starting May 11 (bar seating remains closed). During stage 2, at-risk residents are still asked to stay home as much as possible, and social gatherings up to 25 people will be allowed.
Stage 3 begins May 24, and allows social gatherings up to 100 people. It also changes capacity restrictions for retail stores and malls to 75%.
Stage 4 starts June 14, and increases gatherings to a capacity of 200 people, and some restrictions on restaurants, retail stores and businesses will be lifted. Bars are allowed to open at 50% capacity.
Stage 5 is the final stage and begins on July 4. It eases restrictions even more and allows events such as fairs, festivals, and sporting events to resume.
Once all five phases are complete, the state will then consider what is next for the schools across Indiana. Holcomb did express that the five-stage reopening plan is subject to change, especially if guidelines are not followed by the public. View the Governor’s address here.
