CARMEL — The city of Carmel is reopening some outdoor recreational venues as the state transitions to phase 3 of the governor's reopening plan.
Mayor Jim Brainard ordered part of the Monon Greenway, Midtown Plaza and city golf courses closed back in March to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
On Friday at noon, the city will reopen both the Monon Greenway and Midtown Plaza to the public for as long as there is no evidence of a resurgance of the virus.
The city will also unveil a series of signs along both areas that will encourage residents to wear a facial covering and keep critical social distance standards.
“We trust that our residents and visitors will use caution and treat this pandemic situation with the life-or-death seriousness that it demands,” said Mayor Brainard. “If you a feel sick, stay home; If you live with someone who has tested positive, stay home; If you suspect you may be positive, get tested. Everyone in Carmel needs to have faith that their fellow citizens, neighbors and friends care as much about them as they do about their desire to ‘return to normal’ in our City.”
Along with the reopening of Midtown Plaza, the city announced Thursday that they would be bringing back their Monday movies and Tuesday music — but with some new twists.
Instead of one movie showing on Mondays, the city will be showing movies at multiple times throughout the day to encourage people to keep a safe distance and come at different times.
The movie for Monday May 25 will be Turbo, with showings at noon, 2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
"The city urges residents to choose a time that will prevent a mass gathering of viewers, which could result in a spread of the virus," the city said in a press release.
The Tuesday music will return on May 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with Sammi Lorena.
"With safe physical distancing in mind, visitors are invited to bring their lunch or grab some carryout from Sun King Distillery or the Fork + Ale and sit outside while enjoying the music," the city said.
According to the city, Mayor Brainard will be looking at three key pieces of criteria to determine whether the Greenway and Midtown Plaza will be allowed to remain open, those include:
- Hospitals under 70% of their bed capacity
- COVID-19 cases not exceeding 5%
- 14 days of declining COVID-19 hospital patients
- “In the end, all that we can do is ask that our local residents and visitors take this matter seriously and do what is needed to prevent the spread of this deadly virus as much as possible,” said Mayor Brainard. “Like you, we are eager to return to a more ‘normal’ existence in one of the best cities in America. But we don’t want to move too fast and risk the return of the virus in pandemic proportions.”
