WABASH COUNTY – Saying it’s “ready to be fully operational,” the Wabash County Council unanimously approved a resolution this week that opposes continuing the Stage 4.5 plan and is ready to fully reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resolution says Wabash County economy is “highly dependent upon retail, restaurant, tourism, and industry, and such economic restriction have had a significant negative impact” on the citizens and businesses of the area.
The resolution doesn’t make changes to Wabash County’s policies, it’s simply a notice that the council opposes continuing in Indiana’s Stage 4.5 and supports moving toward Stage 5. It’s unclear how long Gov. Eric Holcomb plans on keeping the state in Stage 4.5.
“The Governor policies are killing small business in counties that are not adversely affected,” said Republican Wabash County Councilor Barbara Pearson via email. “Our intent is that [Holcomb] would assess countries individually and not statewide basis. Wabash Co. is not a hotspot and ready to be fully operational.”
As of Friday afternoon, Wabash County has reported 202 cases of COVID-19 and five deaths.
A spokesperson for Holcomb’s office released the following statement about the resolution:
“Gov. Holcomb has used data to drive decisions since the state’s first case of the novel coronavirus in early March and he continues to do so. As explained in detail during yesterday’s briefing, these steps are necessary to help to slow the spread and get the state back on track.”
