Gov. Holcomb To Sign Executive Order Modifying COVID Gathering Restrictions

This comes as many of the state's 92 counties have moved to orange level.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Many of Indiana’s counties have been moved to the orange level on the state metric map for COVID-19 spread.

With decreasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state, Governor Eric Holcomb announced during Wednesday’s media briefing that he will be signing an executive order to change current COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

This new Executive Order will go into effect on February 1 and will last the entire month.

Under the order, attendance at social gatherings and events will be limited on a county’s color-coded metric:

• Red: Up to 25 people
• Orange: Up to 50 people
• Yellow: Up to 100 people
• Blue: Up to 250 people

Overall attendance at social gatherings or events may not exceed 25 percent of a facility capacity for counties at red or orange levels. Yellow counties can operate at 50 percent capacity, while blue counties can fully open.

Locally, Jefferson, Ripley, Switzerland, Jennings, and Scott Counties are now listed as orange counties on the state’s color-coded metric map.

Safety plans for social gatherings or events should include the number of invited, requested, or expected attendees and staff, all plans must be submitted to a county’s local health department.

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, hospitalizations have gone down from the beginning of the month. On January 1, there were 297 hospital admissions, this number has fluctuated throughout the first month of the year, exceeding 300 daily admissions.

The latest data from Tuesday showed only 38 hospital admissions statewide.

In addition, only 19.8 percent of ICU bed usage is for COVID-19 patients.

Even as COVID-19 counts are seeing a decrease, Hoosiers are encouraged to continue maintaining social distancing and wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the virus.

The COVID-19 vaccine is also available for Hoosiers 70 and older. Learn more at www.ourshot.in.gov.

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