MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Health Department has ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses beginning Friday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a news release, the U.S. experienced a significant increase in positive cases of the novel coronavirus.
"The virus is impacting a younger age, per new CDC data, " Dr. Stephen Wright, Madison County Health Officer, said in the release.
The new restrictions will be in effect from 8 a.m. March 20 through April 6.
As a result, Madison County needs to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of each citizen in the community. The Madison County Health Department has directed the following actions:
- The closure of: hair salons, nail salons, spas, barber shops, tattoo parlors, liquor stores, electronic stores, department stores, hobby and craft stores, automotive dealerships, furniture stores, clothing stores, resale stores, and any other retail stores that do not sell food or home supplies.
- Those exempt from the closure include: healthcare facilities, pharmacies, facilities that sell or produce food products, gas stations, auto repair shops including automotive dealership repair operations, factories, hardware stores and other business services that do not allow public access to their facility.
- Funerals will be limited to immediate family only, with 10 or less in attendance.
- Madison County is issuing a travel watch which means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel, such as to and from work, store to purchase food, supplies, medication or in emergency situations is recommended.
"We apologize but his is beyond our control," Dr. Troy Abbott, chair of the board of health, said. "As long as the community works with us, we will make an impact. We need to be proactive, not reactive. We are 2 to 3 days behind many of the procedures being implemented in Indianapolis. They are getting hit hard already in emergency departments and we need to take these steps to protect the community."
