INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb says the state is moving forward to stage 5 of the state's reopening plan.
The state moved forward to stage 5 of reopening Saturday, although people and businesses are still asked to practice social distancing.
Hoosiers are still required to wear face coverings or masks in stage 5, Holcomb said.
Under stage 5, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars may open at full capacity but social distancing between people and tables must be maintained. Fitness centers can resume normal operations.
Stage 5 will be in effect until at least Oct. 17.
Holcomb and state officials gave an update on COVID-19 in Indiana Wednesday afternoon.
You can watch it below:
Other updates from the press conference:
- Holcomb says Indiana is moving forward to stage 5 of the state's reopening plan.
- Holcomb says stage 5 will start on Saturday.
- All of the size limitations in gatherings will be lifted, Holcomb said, but people and businesses are encouraged to continue to follow social distancing guidelines.
- You can view more information previously introduced about stage 5 here. It's unclear if there will be any changes.
- Events with more than 500 people will need to work with local health departments and submit plans.
- Face coverings will still be required.
- Indiana State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box says wearing face coverings and masks help prevent asymptotic people from spreading the virus.
- Box said the mask mandate has helped lower positivity rates in the state. She said these are measures needed to allow businesses and schools to reopen.
- About 94 percent of schools in Indiana have returned to some form of in-person learning, Box said.
- A new dashboard from the state will show information on COVID-19 cases in schools, Box said. The dashboard will have information on student, teacher, and staff positive cases. You'll be able to view the information by school and a map will show where positive cases in schools have been reported.
- Box said she hopes to have the dashboard live by the end of the month.
- Dr. Box and Holcomb are encouraging people to participate in the third stage of the Fairbanks School of Public Health prevalence study, which starts Tuesday.
- "Please get a flu shot," Box said.
