INDIANAPOLIS — The Back On Track Indiana reopening plan has been delayed again after Gov. Eric Holcomb announced today in a press conference that the state will remain at Stage 4.5 for at least the next two weeks.
“We’ve got to be as vigilant today, even more so than we were back in March,” Holcomb said. “COVID is not going away anytime soon, so it’s really up to us to take responsibility for our own actions.”
Indiana’s confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 have been trending up. The seven-day average positivity rate for people tested for the virus statewide was at 4.2 percent June 18, then 6.3 percent July 4, and was at 7.1 percent as of July 11, reported Dr. Kristina Box, the state health commissioner. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are going up as well, from 595 on June 26 to 881 on July 14.
Supply-and-demand issues are also occurring again as testing and confirmed cases of the virus rise across the country, she said, with wait times of up to a week to receive test results.
Both Holcomb and Box strongly encouraged Hoosiers to wear masks when in public, stay home when sick, and to quarantine if you or someone you’ve been in contact with has been exposed to COVID-19.
“We need Hoosiers to remember that things will look different at school, church and in our daily lives for the foreseeable future,” Box said.
With case numbers on the rise in border states Michigan, Kentucky and Illinois, masks have been mandated in those states. They are not mandatory in Indiana, and Holcomb has left it up to local officials to make their own rules.
Holcomb that Indiana is “doing better than some of the others, but we’re sort of on the edge here.”
Remaining in stage 4.5 means that people planning gatherings of more than 250 people must work with their local health department as far as following guidelines. Effective July 23, organizers must develop and submit to the local health department a written plan outlining the steps being taken to mitigate against COVID. Seasonal or special events such as fairs, festivals, parades, graduations, outdoor concerts, outdoor movies (not drive-ins), family reunions, conferences or weddings are groups subject to this new rule.
Housing was discussed in the press conference as well. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority received $25 million from the CARES Act to help Hoosiers make their housing payments. Hoosiers can apply at indianahousingnow.org for a maximum of $2,000 per household that goes toward any combination of past due rent, late payments or ongoing rent payments up to $500 per month. First payments to landlords are expected to be sent by the first week of August.
Many callers-in questioned if Holcomb would issue a statewide mandate on mask-wearing. Holcomb said that the state is still in a posture of working with local leaders.
“We’re not looking at a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach,” Holcomb said.
He added that a mandate will not be ruled out long-term.
