(INDIANAPOLIS) — Indianapolis will let bars and nightclubs reopen next Friday, one week behind the rest of the state.
Indy was a week behind on the last two stages by state order. This time, Mayor Joe Hogsett says the
county is taking the extra week on its own — he says businesses have told him they need the extra lead time to make adjustments to floor plans and cleaning protocols. Marion County health director Virginia Caine says it also allows an extra week to watch for any spike in cases from the police brutality protests downtown.
Other than the date, the only difference between Indy’s order and the state version involves houses of worship. While Governor Holcomb has exempted churches and temples from a 250-person cap on mass gatherings, the Marion County order will cap congregations at three-quarters of capacity, the same standard as restaurants.
Along with bars and nightclubs, movie theaters, bowling alleys, museums, and the Indianapolis Zoo will be allowed to reopen, while stores and malls will no longer face capacity limits. The zoo says you’ll have to buy a timed admission ticket online and wait your turn.
The city will require masks at the City-County Building — those who don’t have one will be given one at the entrance. Hogsett’s strongly encouraging people to wear masks when they venture out elsewhere too. The city will distribute window posters to businesses with reminders to wear face coverings.
Along with Marion County, two other communities are out of sync with the state order. Gary plans to let bars reopen Sunday, with Monroe County following the next day. Either order could be modified — Holcomb had originally planned to lift restrictions Sunday but announced Wednesday he’d move the date up two days. The Elkhart County commissioners have asked the state to keep tougher restrictions in place an extra week there due to a surge in new cases. There’s nothing in Holcomb’s order to prevent the commissioners from imposing stricter limits on their own.
Hogsett says he’ll consult with Caine and review data in deciding whether to continue the week-behind policy for the final lifting of restrictions next month. The state is targeting a July 4 date. Opening a week later could affect the Marion County Fair, which has already delayed its dates once and hopes to open on the Fourth. Hogsett says he hasn’t spoken with fair officials.
