The restrictions would begin Nov. 15 and last for one month, meaning it would include Thanksgiving festivities. They include limiting social gatherings to 25 people for counties with the highest rates of infection, aka “red” counties, and 50 people for “orange” counties, or those with less severe rates.
As of Wednesday afternoon, nine counties were “red,” and the vast majority of the rest of the state, including all of metropolitan Indianapolis, was “orange.”
Holcomb also indicated that the five-stage system charting the state’s recovery would be retired. The state has been in the final stage—stage 5—since September, which marked the beginning of a second wave of infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 5,156 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number of cases ever reported in the department’s daily pandemic update. The state also reported 31 more deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the total this year to 4,512.
Newly reported deaths have reached or topped 25 for 16 straight days and have been in double digits 34 times over the past 36 days.
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in Indiana continue to escalate, rising from 2,174 on Sunday to 2,336 on Monday to an all-time high of 2,544 on Tuesday. COVID-19 patients occupy 30% of the state’s intensive care beds.
Holcomb noted Wednesday that when the state went to Stage 5, the infection rate in the state was under 5%. “Unfortunately, too many of us have let our guards down,” Holcomb said.
“Stage 5 has been viewed by some as a reason to return to the days when we had never heard of the pandemic, rather than doing the things that had allowed us to reopen,” Holcomb said.
Under the restrictions announced Wednesday, businesses in “red” and “orange” counties will be required to notify patrons that face coverings are required, and customers in restaurants, bars and nightclubs must be spaced 6 feet apart.
In addition, in “orange” counties:
–Attendance at indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events is limited to 25% capacity
–Community recreation sports leagues and tournaments may continue with attendance limited to participants, required personnel and parents and guardians.
In “red” counties:
–Attendance at indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events, including IHSAA sports, is limited to participants, required personnel and parents and guardians.
–Local officials may consider limiting hours for the operation of bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
–Community recreation sports leagues and tournaments may continue with attendance limited to participants, required personnel and parents and guardians.