On Friday, May 1, Governor Holcomb announced the 5-stage Roadmap to Safely Reopen Indiana that will ease mandates to the Stay at Home order. As the COVID-19 situation improves in Indiana, we will progress to new stages in the coming weeks and months. However, if the situation does not improve, Indiana may need to re-evaluate and revisit past stages. Beginning today, Boone County will transition to Stage 2. If groups or businesses are not adequately prepared to follow this timeline, they are encouraged to implement their own
policies. Please be aware that Cass, Lake, and Marion counties will begin their stages at later dates. Local governments are permitted to enact more restrictive guidelines should the need arise.
Beginning Monday, May 4:
• Social gatherings up to 25 people will be permitted, following social distancing practices
o This includes wedding receptions, birthday parties, Mothers’ Day gatherings, and others where people are in close contact for extended periods of time.
• Manufacturers, industrial operations, and other infrastructure that has not been in operation may open following OSHA and CDC guidelines.
• Shopping malls may open at 50% capacity
o Indoor common areas (food courts, play areas, etc) may operate at 25% capacity.
• Retail and commercial businesses may operate at 50% capacity
o This includes apparel, furniture, jewelry, and liquor stores that have been operating as curbside or delivery only.
• Essential travel restrictions are lifted
o Local non-essential travel is allowed.
• Select BMVs will open for appointments only
o Please call your local BMV for availability.
Beginning Friday, May 8:
• Religious services (including weddings, funerals, and baptisms) may resume following specific guidelines:
o Those over 60 years and those with preexisting health conditions are encouraged to stay home
o Social distancing must be observed
o Remote services highly encouraged
• Religious facilities should consider revisiting health protocols, including: marked space and seating, dismissing services in a way that supports social distancing, offering multiple services to encourage a greater opportunity for social distancing, etc.
Beginning Monday, May 11:
• Restaurants and bars that serve food may offer dine-in service at 50% capacity with limitations
o Bar searing will be closed with no live entertainment
o Servers, kitchen staff must wear face coverings
• Hair and nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, and spas may operate by appointment only
o Employees and customers should wear face coverings to the extent possible
o Work stations must be spaced to meet social distancing guidelines
• Boating is permitted, following social distancing guidelines
o Visitors to beaches and shorelines must adhere to social gathering policy and social distancing guidelines
• State government executive branch offices will begin limited public services
o Employees will begin to return to offices in small waves
Boone County supports the Governor’s Roadmap to the extent that it is within the best interest of the health and safety of our residents. Please bear in mind that these plans do not imply our community is no longer at risk of COVID-19. The threat of COVID-19 is still present and failure to be diligent in following precautions will slow our progress. Seniors and those with pre-existing health conditions are still encouraged to stay home. If you feel ill or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please continue to shelter in place and contact your healthcare provider. Employees capable of working from home should continue to do so. When in public, Hoosiers should still observe social distancing and continue to wear face coverings. Please continue to be diligent in maintaining personal hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick.
If progress continues, we anticipate Stage 3 beginning May 24, Stage 4 on June 14, and Stage 5 on July 4.
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Please forward inquiries to Claire Haughton, Public Information Officer with the Boone County Health Department, at chaughton@co.boone.in.us or (765)482-3942, option 7. For further information about COVID19, please visit the Boone County website at boonecounty.in.gov, the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/coronavirus, the CDC at coronavirus.gov, or the Boone County Health Department Facebook page at facebook.com/boonecoHD. For more information on Governor Holcomb’s Roadmap to Safely Reopen Indiana, please visit backontrack.in.gov.