US: State of Indiana further eases COVID-19 restrictions in several counties as of Feb. 24 /update 20

Event

Authorities in Indiana are continuing to ease COVID-19 restrictions in several counties as of Feb. 24 due to a decrease in infections and hospitalizations. The state employs a four-tier, color-coded system for tracking disease activity at the county level and imposing local restrictions accordingly. Categories range from the Blue level, signifying the lowest COVID-19 activity, to the Red level, signifying the highest.

Authorities strongly recommend that gatherings and events be limited to 250 people in counties at the blue level, 100 people in counties at the yellow level, 50 people at the orange level, and 25 people at the red level. However, if event organizers submit safety plans to local authorities, the limit for gatherings and events may increase to 100 percent of the given venue's capacity in blue level counties, 50 percent in yellow level counties, and 25 percent in counties at the orange and red levels.

As of Feb. 24, 73 of Indiana's 92 counties are classified at the yellow level, with none at the red level. Jurisdictions at the blue level are Benton, Daviess, Jay, LaGrange, Lawrence, Madison, Orange, Sullivan, and Vermillion counties; those at the orange level are Cass, Dearborn, DeKalb, Fayette, Huntington, Scott, Spencer, Steuben, Switzerland, and Whitley counties.

Statewide, residents over the age of two must wear facemasks in indoor public settings, outdoors when social distancing is not feasible, and when using public transportation. All businesses can open but must ensure compliance with social distancing and sanitization requirements. Employers should encourage employees to work from home whenever reasonable and practical.

Local officials can impose more restrictive measures if they consider it necessary within their jurisdictions. In Marion County, which includes the city of Indianapolis, bars, restaurants, gyms, event venues, and indoor entertainment centers can open but with capacity limits. All food and entertainment businesses must close nightly by 0001.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.