INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday announced that Indiana will move to the final phase of his five-stage plan to reopen the state, citing improving COVID-19 case numbers in recent weeks.
The move, which Holcomb said will take effect Saturday, lifts capacity restrictions at restaurants, bars, retail stores, gyms, fitness centers and salons as long as social distancing and other guidelines are followed.
Stage 5 also allows social gatherings of over 250 people if social distancing guidelines are followed, though state officials said people seeking to hold events with more than 500 people should still consult their local health department.
Holcomb also extended the statewide mask mandate through Oct. 17. The mandate, which Holcomb instituted by executive order in July, applies to anyone 8 years or older in indoor public spaces, commercial entities and on public transportation, as well as when outdoors and without the ability to maintain 6 feet of physical distance with others.
Holcomb had initially planned to move into Stage 5 on July 4, but repeatedly held off, instead creating “Stage 4.5” as the number of hospitalizations and the percentage of tests coming back positive increased during much of the summer.
“The numbers continue to track in the right direction,” Holcomb said in a press briefing on Wednesday. “…We like the path that we’re on, the direction that we’re moving, but we really just have to underscore how important it is for our citizens and our businesses to continue to make those adjustments and operate in a very safe manner.”
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
