Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday that he would sign an executive order establishing a month of new pandemic restrictions for most of Indiana after residents “let their guards down” and cases surged.
The restrictions will begin Nov. 15 and last for one month, meaning they would be in effect for Thanksgiving and other holiday festivities. They include limiting social gatherings to 25 people in counties with the highest rates of infection, aka “red” counties, and 50 people in “orange” counties, or those with the next-highest rates.
As of Wednesday afternoon, nine of Indiana’s 92 counties were “red,” and the vast majority of the rest of the state, including all of metropolitan Indianapolis, was “orange.” The state’s color-coded map can be found here.
Holcomb also indicated that the five-stage system charting the state’s recovery would be retired. The state has been in the final stage—Stage 5—since September, which marked the beginning of a second wave of infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health reported 5,156 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number of cases ever reported in the department’s daily pandemic update. The state also reported 31 more deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the total this year to 4,512.
Newly reported deaths have reached or topped 25 for 16 straight days and have been in double digits 34 times over the past 36 days.
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in Indiana continued to escalate, rising from 2,174 on Sunday to 2,336 on Monday to an all-time high of 2,544 on Tuesday. COVID-19 patients occupy 30% of the state’s intensive care beds.
Holcomb noted Wednesday that when the state went to Stage 5, the infection rate in the state was under 5%. “Unfortunately, too many of us have let our guards down,” he said.
“Stage 5 has been viewed by some as a reason to return to the days when we had never heard of the pandemic, rather than doing the things that had allowed us to reopen,” Holcomb said.
The 7-day running infection rate for all COVID-19 tests in the state was 10.3% on Wednesday.
Under the restrictions announced Wednesday, businesses in “red” and “orange” counties will be required to notify patrons that face coverings are required, and customers in restaurants, bars and nightclubs must be spaced 6 feet apart.
In addition, in “orange” counties:
–Attendance at indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events, including IHSAA sports, will be limited to 25% capacity. Non-participants will be required to wear face coverings at all times.
–Community recreation sports leagues and tournaments may continue, with attendance limited to participants, required personnel and parents and guardians.
In “red” counties:
–Attendance at indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events, including IHSAA sports, will be limited to participants, required personnel and parents and guardians. Non-participants will be required to wear face coverings at all times.
–Local officials may consider limiting hours for the operation of bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
–Community recreation sports leagues and tournaments may continue, with attendance limited to participants, required personnel and parents and guardians.
–Senior center activities will be suspended.
–Hospitals and long-term care facilities may impose limitations on visitation.
–Common areas and break rooms should be closed.
Events that anticipate having more attendees than the number specified by the state’s color coding will be required to submit plans with local health departments and receive approval.
Churches are exempt from the restrictions.
Holcomb also announced the state would make $20 million available to cities, towns and counties to cover costs associated with reviewing local event plans, public awareness and education, and enforcing compliance with state requirements.
He did not say where the funding would come from or when it would be available but said more details would be released soon.
It’s unclear whether Indianapolis would be able to apply for the funds since the state has largely been excluded from state COVID-19 funds since it received its own pot of federal CARES Act funding.