First, as always, I deeply appreciate the sacrifices that Marion County residents have made to slow the spread of this deadly virus.

Beyond the almost unthinkable numbers of those sickened or killed by COVID-19, there are countless more in our community that continue to feel the effects of this global pandemic and respond with patience, grace, and bravery.

I also want to again acknowledge the work of @GovHolcomb and state health officials in creating the “Back On Track” framework that provides recommendations on the order in which Hoosier businesses should reopen and the best practices they should be utilizing when that time comes.

The data we are looking at may look scientific, but at the end of the day the numbers and charts aren’t just facts and figures – they’re people.

Starting on May 15th, we will be moving restrictions on in-person public gatherings, including religious services, from ten people to twenty-five people. Drive-up religious services where worshippers remain in their cars will also continue to be permitted.

In addition, we will be allowing for the qualified reopening of non-essential retail outlets at 50% capacity. We will also be allowing for the qualified opening of shopping malls, subject to restrictions on capacity and food service.

As it relates to restaurants, starting Friday, May 22nd, we will be permitting in-person dining at restaurants – but only in outdoor seating, and with strict social distancing guidelines.

With each of these loosened restrictions, social distancing measures for customers and PPE for employees are required.

Now, I want to take a quick moment to clarify a few examples of what we will not be implementing at this time.
Non-essential industrial and manufacturing must remain closed. Personal services such as hair and nail salons must also remain closed.

And in-person dining that occurs inside of a restaurant will continue to be restricted at this time. These delays are not driven by politics or spite, but by careful analysis of all data available to us.

And importantly, we believe that if the trajectory of this virus continues to stabilize and – hopefully – decline, we believe that the remainder of these Phase 2 re-openings may be possible as soon as June 1st.