INDIANAPOLIS–You won’t be able to join your mom at church for Mother’s Day in Marion County. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett clarified that the county’s stay-at-home order ends May 15, while Gov. Holcomb’s “Back on Track” plan has already ended the state-wide travel ban for most of the state.
The exceptions were Marion, Monroe, Lake and Cass counties.
Hogsett made it clear that there would be no exceptions for churches. He said that since Marion County is the most populous in the state, that it is crucial to not allow any large gatherings to avoid a resurgence of coronavirus infections.
“I know how heartbreaking this will be for congregations across our city. It is, after all, Mother’s Day weekend.” Hogsett said he is eager to get back to his own church, and that he feels the frustration from people who believe Marion County is moving too slowly.
“Population density is an important factor in this fight,” he said. He invoked Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself, in continuing to stay home through May 15. That includes continuing to order curb side or pickup from restaurants.
“This means no large gatherings this weekend,” said Marion County Health Officer Dr. Virginia Caine. She promised a blueprint for Marion County’s reopening by next week. She said it is unclear when the county will move into phase 3 of the Back on Track plan.
“Marion County’s phased reopening plan will look very similar to the ‘Back on Track Indiana’ plan,” she said, with the exception that that plan has fixed dates. May 24 is when the thirf phase will begin for the state, and that is still uncertain in Indianapolis.
“While we are not yet able to say what precise date we will get to, for example, a phase 3, Indianapolis residents and businesses should still begin educating themselves on what each of those five phases permit,” he said.
