State to Implement Stricter COVID Restrictions

Governor Eric Holcomb says starting this weekend, the state will no longer
be in Stage 5 of the Back On Track Indiana plan. At his weekly COVID-19
press conference, Holcomb said he is preparing to sign an Executive Order
that will implement pandemic requirements to slow the spread of the virus.
The state has been at Stage 5 since September and Holcomb says the new order
will be in place for the next month.

The governor cited the increasing number of counties that have progressed
higher on the state’s color coding system for COVID-19 infections. The
four-color system scores counties based on new weekly cases and seven-day
positivity rates, with counties receiving blue (lowest), yellow, orange, or
red scores.

Among other requirements, Holcomb says attendance at social events will be
limited in orange and red counties; orange counties will be limited to 50
people, and red counties will be limited to 25 people per event.

“Unfortunately, too many of us, and around the country, have let our guards
down,” said Holcomb. “Stage 5 has been viewed by some as a reason to return
to the days before we ever heard of the words COVID or pandemic. Rather than
doing the things that we had been doing that allowed us to open our
restaurants and shops and museums and attractions to full capacity, while
maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, too many have said, we’ll
just ride it out, and if I get it so be it.”

Despite continuing efforts to increase testing, provide adequate PPE, and
conduct contact tracing, Holcomb says several other major factors have
reached critical points. The state’s current seven-day positivity rate
stands at 10.3%, up from 3.9% when Stage 5 began.

Holcomb said the number of hospitalized COVID patients is at an all-time
high at 2,544 patients, and health experts think the number could double
over the next several weeks. Additionally, Holcomb said the state is
averaging more than 210 COVID patients per day, and hospitals are
experiencing staff shortages and fatigue.

“Like many states, we are in the midst of a second surge,” Holcomb stated.

According to Holcomb, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the
Alcohol & Tobacco Commission will continue to check businesses for occupancy
and face coverings, among other efforts, to ensure compliance.

Holcomb says the increased restrictions are not geared toward shutting
businesses down.

“Sometimes the safest place to be is in the classroom or at work because
there is enforcement there of compliance because there’s an incentive to
learn or to produce, contribute, create, innovate. That’s the position we
want to be in. We need more compliance and enforcement just like our schools
and businesses are able to provide,” said Holcomb.

Holcomb said the state is preparing to make $20 million available to local
governments to help with the new requirements. Municipalities can request
funds for local event planning, public awareness, education and compliance.
The program and details are expected to be finalized in the next couple of
days.

“We applaud the steps announced by the Governor today, and it is urgent that
all elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels collaborate on
the steps needed to slow the spread,” The Indiana Hospital Association said
in a release.

Source: Inside Indiana Business