Events will be able to host up to 100 people with a safety plan, and restaurants will move from capacity limits to social distancing compliance, per a recent order from the Bartholomew County Health Officer Brian Niedbalski and the COVID-19 Community Task Force.
The order, released Friday, contains “an outline of updated restriction and capacity limits as well as safety guidelines at the state and local level.”
“Social gatherings, public meetings and all other events” will be limited to 100 people while following social distancing as part of the “overall safety plan” for events. The county will not be accepting or approving submitted plans for larger events at this time, according to Niedbalski’s order.
Starting at noon today, bars and restaurants will move from capacity limits to physical distancing compliance, according to Niedbalski. Social distancing must be followed at all times. Individuals from non-household parties must be spaced 6feet apart in seating arrangements, and masks should be worn when not actively eating or drinking.
The county also continues to strongly encourage frequent hand washing and proper sanitation.
Movie theaters, bowling alleys and similar indoor entertainment venues will continue operating at 50% capacity with social distancing.
Large retail stores, including groceries and hardware stores, will also continue at 50% capacity with social distancing.
Likewise, gyms, fitness centers and “personal services” will remain at 50% capacity with the following requirements:
Daily employee screening
Facial coverings
Spacing equipment for social distancing
Additionally, equipment must be cleaned after each use. Group fitness classes are permitted, with social distancing.
While Bartholomew County is now a “yellow status” county on the state’s map, Niedbalski cautioned residents to remain careful.
“Despite recent improvements and stabilization of COVID-19 cases in our area, viral spread remains at a high per capita rate in our county; therefore it is important the community continue to be diligent in preventing the spread by continuing to follow all the safety measures and guidelines of masking, physical distancing and hand hygiene,” he said in a statement.
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The new health department order may be viewed at covid19communitytaskforce.org/news/.
For more on state restrictions, visit in.gov/gov.
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