Task Force issues new restrictions for restaurants, bars and gyms, BCSC eLearning extended

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Bartholomew County Health Officer Dr. Brian Niedbalski, a member of the COVID-19 Community Task Force, gives an update on the spread of COVID-19 in the community during a press conference at the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Administration building in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. City and county officials announced that Columbus and Bartholomew County would move back to stage 4.5 as the spread of COVID-19 surges in the community. Jim Roberts, superintendent of BCSC, announced that the school corp., would move to E-learning beginning on Monday. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

11:45 A.M. UPDATE:

BCSC STATEMENT ON CONTINUATION OF ELEARNING

BCSC Statement Re: eLearning After Thanksgiving Break/Comunicado de BCSC Re: eLearning después del descanso de Acción de Gracias

11/20/2020 

As we end two weeks of eLearning as a corporation, we wish to provide our families with an update on how BCSC will proceed with an instructional model following Thanksgiving Break. We realize that this has certainly been a challenging time for our students, families, and staff members and we appreciate your help in doing everything possible to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community while still supporting your child’s learning.

When we made the decision to move to eLearning two weeks ago, Thursday, November 5, 2020, due to operational challenges related to staffing, our most up-to-date COVID-19 figures for the community indicated a per capita rate of 30.4, a positive test rate of 15.8, and CRH hospitalizations at 14.  The numbers for this Thursday, November 19 were 98.2, 31.3, and 46 respectively.

Given the continued increases in COVID-19 in our community, and after consultation with our local medical professionals and the COVID-19 Community Task Force, BCSC will continue with eLearning through Winter Break.  This would have us coming back to in-person learning on Tuesday, January 5.  We will be continually monitoring local data regarding the spread of COVID-19 and make adjustments as necessary.

Until then, BCSC will continue to provide meals, special education services, C4 bus hubs and a variety of other services.

 

Comunicado de BCSC Re: eLearning después del descanso de Acción de Gracias

11/20/2020

Al finalizar dos semanas de eLearning como corporación, deseamos proporcionar a nuestras familias una actualización sobre cómo va a proceder BCSC con un modelo educativo después del descanso de Acción de Gracias. Nos damos cuenta de que este ha sido un momento difícil para nuestros estudiantes, familias y miembros del personal y agradecemos su ayuda para hacer todo lo posible para mitigar la propagación de COVID-19 en nuestra comunidad mientras apoya a su hijo en su aprendizaje.

Cuando tomamos la decisión de pasar a eLearning hace dos semanas, el jueves 5 de noviembre de 2020, debido a los desafíos operativos relacionados con disponibilidad de personal, nuestras cifras COVID-19 más actualizadas para la comunidad indicaron una tasa per cápita de 30,4, una tasa de prueba positiva de 15,8, y hospitalizaciones CRH en 14. Las cifras de este jueves 19 de noviembre son 98.2, 31.3 y 46 respectivamente.

Dados los continuos aumentos de COVID-19 en nuestra comunidad, y después de consultar con nuestros profesionales médicos locales y el Grupo de Trabajo Comunitario COVID-19, BCSC continuará con eLearning hasta las vacaciones de invierno. Esto nos haría volver a la enseñanza en persona el martes 5 de enero. Estaremos monitoreando continuamente los datos locales sobre la propagación de COVID-19 y realizaremos los ajustes necesarios.

Hasta entonces, BCSC continuará proporcionando comidas, servicios de educación especial, de autobuses C4 y una variedad de otros servicios.

11:30 A.M. UPDATE:

Here is the list of restrictions for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, bowling alleys and gyms, which go into effect at noon Saturday.

Bars, nightclubs and bar seating at restaurants may not exceed 25 percent capacity adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Movie theaters, bowling alleys and similar indoor entertainment venues may not exceed 50 percent capacity adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Dining room food service in restaurants, big box retailers including food and hardware, essential businesses and similar facilities may not exceed 50 percent capacity adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Social gatherings, meetings and events are limited to no more than 50 people adhering to social distancing guidelines. Submitted plans for larger events will be asked to not exceed 50 attendees and may be reduced to 25 people if the county goes into red level.

Gyms, fitness centers, personal services and similar facilities are to operate in a reduced capacity equal to 50 percent with restrictions. Employees must be screened daily, wear face coverings and equipment must be spaced to accommodate social distancing. Equipment must be cleaned after each use and between uses. Group fitness classes should be postponed at this time.

In their business plan, facilities are to calculate the number of customers that this percentage represents, post that number on their entry door and ensure those numbers are not exceeded and can be checked by staff and authorities.

These restrictions were ordered by Dr. Brian Niedbalski, Bartholomew County Health Officer.

For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.

ORIGINAL STORY

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The local COVID-19 Community Task Force members are enacting new restrictions on occupancy in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, bowling alleys and gyms effective Saturday.

The task force said these new restrictions could be found at http://bartholomew.in.gov/emergency-management, but it does not appear the new restrictions have been posted yet.

Also, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Superintendent Jim Roberts said the school corporation will be extending eLearning through Dec. 22, which is the last instructional day before winter break, with a planned return to in-person learning on Tuesday, Jan. 5. A statement by BCSC may be found at http://www.bcscschools.org.

The COVID-19 Community Task Force has also launched a “Mask Up Columbus” campaign. For more information about the impact of COVID-19 in the community, tips for prevention and safety and resources, visit covid19communitytaskforce.org.

For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.

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