Governor Eric Holcomb Releases New Requirements For Counties In Orange, Red Color On Metric Map

Social gatherings of any kind, inside or outside, limited to 50 people for counties in orange.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – During today's media briefing, Governor Eric Holcomb and his team announced new guidelines that they will be implemented on November 15.

These new guidelines are for the counties in the state that are either in the orange or red color system on the states COVID-19 metric map for community spread.

The Governor also announced that Stage 5 will come to an end this weekend due to surging COVID-19 numbers. 

When the governor announced Stage 5 in September, the state's positivity rate was at 3.9 percent. Today, it stands at 10.3 percent, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

"I said at that time, very deliberately that we could not let our guard down or change our good habits. Unfortunately, too many of us and around the country have let our guards down and either assumed we won't get it or if we do so be it we'll get through it without any more universal consideration to what these multiplying numbers have on others and our system of cares. Stage 5 has been viewed by some as a reason return to the days before we even heard about COVID-19 or pandemic in a modern day sense," said Holcomb. 

Gov. Holcomb is implementing these new guidelines in hopes that it will help slow the spread of COVID-19 as the Hoosier state beings to see the second surge in cases.

The new guidelines that Gov. Holcomb and his team will be implementing are as follows:

Counties in the orange metric:

• Social gatherings of any kind, inside or outside, limited to 50 people
• Special, seasonal or commercial events planned with more than 50 people require the approval of a safety plan by the local health department.
• Attendance at K-12 indoor extracurricular and co-curricular events limited to 25 percent capacity
  • All non-competing, support personnel, and attendees must always be wearing a mask
  • All non-family groups must be socially distanced
• Community rec sports leagues and tournaments may continue with attendance limited to participants, required personnel, and parents/ guardians

Counties in the red metric:

• Social gatherings of any kind, inside or outside, are limited to 25 people
• S Special, seasonal or commercial events planned with more than 25 people require the approval of a safety plan by the local health department. Events are not advised to be held. College and professional sports included
• Attendance at K-12 indoor extracurricular and co-curricular events limited, including IHSAA sports, is limited to participants, support personnel, and parents/guardians
• Local officials may consider limiting hours for the operation of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants
• Community recreational sports leagues and tournaments may continue with participants, required personnel, and parents/ guardians only
• Senior care activities suspended
• Hospitals, long term care, and other congregate settings may impose limits
• Common areas and break rooms should be closed.

These new requirements will be in place until December 15.

Currently, Jefferson County is in the orange color for community spread. Other counties that are in the orange category are Scott, Jennings, and Switzerland.

Due to these new requirements needing to be put into place, the state will be making $20 million available for local governments to use for compliance efforts, such as reviewing local event plans, public awareness, and enforcement.

More details will be released in the coming days.

“All of the steps social distancing, washing your hands and staying home when you are sick need to be part of our daily lives as we wait for this vaccine to become more widely available. We continue to prepare for the possibility that limited vaccine will arrive in Indiana yet this month,” said Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana State Department of Health Commissioner.

For more information on you can visit, https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm