Governor Holcomb announced today, May 1, 2020, Indiana’s plan to reopen the state in five stages, with the goal of having Indiana “back on track” by July 4th.
Stage 1
Stage 1 is the current stage, which Indiana has endured since mid-March. This stage allows certain critical operations to function, including essential governmental functions, construction, manufacturing, and businesses.
Stage 2
Stage 2 lifts the restrictions on essential travel and local non-essential travel. Certain industries are permitted to reopen, subject to various restrictions. Businesses are encouraged to permit their employees to continue working remotely whenever possible. Social gatherings of 25 people are permitted as long as the CDC’s Social Distancing Guidelines are followed.
Stage 2 begins on May 4th for all Indiana counties, except Cass, Lake, and Marion counties. Stage 2 will begin on May 11th for Lake and Marion counties. Finally, Stage 2 will begin on May 18th for Cass County.
Open Immediately in Stage 2
- Manufacturers, industrial operations, and other infrastructure that has not been in operation may open following OSHA and CDC guidance.
- Retail and commercial businesses, including those that have been open for the necessities of life during previous executive orders, may operate at 50% of capacity.
- Shopping malls may open at 50% capacity with indoor common areas at 25% capacity.
- Those who work in office settings are encouraged to continue to work remotely whenever possible but may return to offices in small waves.
- County and local governments will make decisions based on their policies and CDC guidelines.
One Week After Stage 2 Commences
- Personal services, such as hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, spas, and tattoo parlors. By appointment only with operational limitations. Employees must wear face coverings, workstations must be spaced to meet social distancing guidelines, and other requirements must be met. Customers should wear face coverings to the extent possible.
- Restaurants and bars that serve food may open at 50% capacity with operational limitations. Bar seating will be closed with no live entertainment. Servers and kitchen staff must wear face coverings.
- State government executive branch offices will begin limited public services, and employees will begin to return to offices in small waves.
Remaining Closed
- Bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Gyms, fitness centers, community centers, and like facilities.
- Cultural, entertainment, sports venues, and tourism. This includes museums, zoos, festivals, parades, concerts, fairs, sports arenas, movie theaters, bowling alleys, aquariums, theme parks, recreational sports leagues and tournaments, and like facilities.
- Playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, amusement parks whether indoors or outside, tourist sites, water parks, and social clubs.
- Congregate settings for seniors, adult day cares remain closed through at least May 31.
- Community swimming pools, public and private.
- Residential and day camps. Campgrounds, except for those living permanently in RVs or cabins.
Stage 3
Stage 3 begins on May 24th. Additional operations open.
- Retail stores and malls may move to 75% of capacity while maintaining social distancing.
- Mall common areas, such as food courts and sitting areas, are limited to 50% capacity.
- Gyms and fitness centers may open with restrictions. Class sizes and equipment must be spaced to accommodate social distancing. Limited class sizes. Equipment must be cleaned after each use, and employees are required to wear face coverings.
- Playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, and similar facilities may open with social distancing guidelines in place.
- Community pools may open according to CDC guidance.
- Campgrounds may open with social distancing limitations and sanitation precautions.
- Movie theaters may open at 50% capacity; some theater companies have identified specific hygiene and social distancing guidelines.
Bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues, sports venues, and cultural venues remain closed.
Stage 4
Stage 4 begins June 14th. Additional operations may open.
- State government building access restrictions will be lifted.
- Professional office building employees may resume work at full capacity.
- Retail stores and malls open at full capacity with social distancing guidelines in place.
- Dining room service may open at 75% capacity.
- Bar seating in restaurants may open at 50% capacity.
- Bars and nightclubs may open at 50% capacity adhering to social distancing guidelines.
- Cultural, entertainment, and tourism businesses may open at 50% capacity. This includes museums, zoos, bowling alleys, aquariums, and like facilities.
- Large venues may open with adherence to social gatherings guidelines.
- Amusement parks, water parks, and like facilities may open at 50% capacity; reservations will be required to limit the number of customers at any one time.
Large events, such as conventions, sports events, fairs, festivals, and parades remain closed.
Stage 5
Stage 5 begins July 4th.
- Retail stores and malls may operate at full capacity.
- Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs may operate at full capacity.
- Personal services may open at full capacity.
- Restrictions are lifted at gyms and fitness facilities.
- Conventions, sports events, fairs, festivals, the state fair, and like events may resume.
- Restrictions are lifted at amusement parks, water parks, and like facilities. Social distancing guidelines should be maintained.
- The CDC will provide guidance about day camps and overnight camps.
Logan Stevens