Hogsett Details New COVID Restrictions

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has announced new restrictions for the city
and Marion County as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Among the changes, the
mayor has ordered capacity be reduced for bars, restaurants and organized
gatherings, as well as a requirement for schools to return to virtual
instruction by the end of the month.

Hogsett says the restrictions will go into effect Sunday night at midnight.
The changes to the public health order include:

* Indoor capacity reduced to 25% for bars and entertainment venues.
Outdoor capacity will remain at 100%
* Indoor capacity remains at 50% for restaurants. Outdoor capacity
remains at 100%
* Self-serve buffets and salad bars, as well as karaoke, are banned.
* Maximum party size at tables in restaurants, bars and clubs will be
reduced to six.
* The midnight closure requirement previously applied to bars,
restaurants and clubs will be expended to all non-essential hospitality and
entertainment businesses.
* Special or seasonal events, including concerts, movie screenings,
fairs, festivals, weddings, wedding receptions, conventions and sporting
events are limited to 25% capacity.
* Social gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited.
* Religious services remain limited to 75% indoor capacity.
* Libraries, funeral homes, swimming pools, and shopping mall food
courts are reduced to 50% indoor capacity.
* Cultural venues, music venues, museums, and other non-essential
entertainment businesses are reduced to 25% capacity.
* Gyms and fitness studios, including locker rooms, are reduced to 25%
indoor capacity.
* A person must have a negative COVID test within 72 hours of visiting
a long-term care facility.

The Mayor noted special or seasonal events could receive exceptions to allow
more than 50 people if organizers receive an approved safety plan from the
Marion County Public Health Department.

MCPDH Director Dr. Virginia Caine says, no later than November 30, all K-12
schools will be required to return to virtual instruction. Schools that have
the ability to go virtual prior to the deadline are being encouraged to do
so.

“I know it may be a hardship for some of you; some schools may have had no
cases whatsoever,” said Caine. “But it’s to the point now we’re seeing
significant spread in our schools now that in order to safeguard everyone,
we’re asking that all schools be required to return to virtual instruction
no later than November 30th.”

Additionally, all school extracurricular activities and sporting events at
schools will only be allowed to have participants, parents or guardians, and
support personnel in attendance beginning November 30.

The order for schools is currently scheduled to end January 15.

The mayor also urged residents to consider scaling back their Thanksgiving
gatherings in light of the pandemic.

“Consider connecting with elder family members or extended family through
video chat or through phone calls,” said Hogsett. “If weather allows, eat
outside. Don’t travel if you don’t have to leave the home. And if you do
travel to family gatherings, please quarantine yourself upon your return.
That will help stop the spread of the virus.”

Hogsett also once again called on Congress to pass additional relief to
residents, businesses and local government.

“The CARES Act money from March was transformative, but it’s now gone,
including nearly $12 million in our HELP grants that are being processed
currently for hundreds of bars and restaurants across our city,” said
Hogsett. “So I want to reiterate my call for those in Washington D.C. to
step up to the plate and do what needs to be done to help with this surge in
cases and the destructive effect it is having on our city’s small
businesses.”

Source: Inside Indiana Business by Gerry Dick