Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb says the state will stay at Stage 4.5 until August 27 based on current trends showing increases in COVID-19.
Stage 4.5 – in place since the beginning of July – restricts restaurants to 75 percent capacity and limits bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues to 50 percent. Gatherings of any kind are restricted to 250 people…unless there’s approval from a local health department.
Holcomb says he doesn’t see the need to reimpose past restrictions – like closing bars and nightclubs – but stresses the importance of local leaders (and even individual businesses) enforcing compliance.
“For every 10 that are doing the right thing, if one doesn’t enforce these guidelines at the local level – at the individual business or social gathering – it can ruin it for a much greater area,” Holcomb said.
As the rest of Indiana has been at Stage 4.5, Elkhart County has been at Stage 4. Elkhart County Health Dept. officials say they expect Dr. Lydia Mertz to make a decision on that yet this week, possibly as early as Thursday.
In the meantime, Holcomb says his moratorium on evictions will be extended through Aug. 14.
State government offices will reopen Aug. 17.