FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2020
Mayor Joe Hogsett, Marion County Public Health Department provide guidance, additional details about local restrictions
Local orders remain in place until May 15, will apply to places of worship
INDIANAPOLIS – Following the release of Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track Indiana plan, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department joined city and community stakeholders to offer additional guidance for Indianapolis residents regarding local stay in place orders, large gatherings, and enforcement mechanisms. To date, Marion County has had 6,419 individuals test positive for COVID-19 and 374 COVID-19 related deaths.
“Last week, Governor Holcomb laid out a roadmap for reopening Indiana’s economy and I am appreciative that the State’s approach allows Indiana cities and towns to adjust to the needs and data in their community,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Moving forward, the State’s roadmap will serve as a foundation for Marion County’s plans and ensure that, as we continue to receive community testing information and data from healthcare providers, we are able to determine a timeline for entering into future phases of reopening for our city.”
Mayor Hogsett and Dr. Caine offered the following guidance:
- Marion County’s stay-at-home orders will remain in place through at least May 15
- These restrictions will apply to places of worship, delaying their reopening
- Marion County intends to adopt the Back on Track phasing when reopening begins
- IMPD will be educating residents and aggressively enforcing restrictions on large gatherings
- Local data will be analyzed through the weekend and additional guidance on the timing of future phases of reopening will be given early next week.
“We are closely monitoring COVID-19 data each day to understand the impact this is having in Marion County,” said Dr. Caine. “While there is reason to be hopeful, we can’t relax quite yet. Everyone’s continued hard work and patience is needed to slow the spread of this virus even more, and help put our community on a positive path moving forward.”
Current Marion County Public Health Department Orders state that all non-essential businesses are to remain closed through Friday, May 15. Businesses with essential functions are permitted to remain open and their employees are permitted to continue traveling to work. When out in public, all Marion County residents are asked to wear a face mask or covering and continue to maintain good hygiene, frequent handwashing, and proper social distancing.
Residents and affected workers impacted by COVID-19 restrictions should visit the city’s resource guide, which can be viewed at indy.gov/covid. Spanish speaking residents can view the Resource Guide here. Individuals who are unable to navigate the city’s website can call 317-327-4MAC between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to talk to a customer service representative.
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