MADISON COUNTY — On Friday, May 1, a day when Madison County Health Department posted six new positive COVID-19 cases and no new deaths related to the disease overnight, county leaders announced Madison County has adopted Gov. Eric Holcomb’s public health order.
Holcomb announced his Back on Track Indiana order the same day: it has five stages, with Stage 1 describing the period from March 24 to May 3, and new stages beginning May 4, May 24, June 14 and July 4.
The state order permits local government entities to “impose more restrictive guidelines.”
Stage 2 of the order, which took effect Monday, recommends people 65 and older or with underlying health conditions remain home when possible; everyone wear masks in public settings; people limit social gatherings to 25 individuals using social distancing; and people work from home where possible. It also lifts restrictions on local non-essential travel.
It allows retail and commercial businesses to open and operate at 50% capacity, with other sectors — including personal services and restaurants and bars that serve food — allowed to open in various capacities beginning May 11.
Religious services are allowed to take place inside places of worship beginning May 8.
Certain recreational activities and facilities, such as boating and golf courses, are permitted with social distancing practiced.
The order provides guidance for limited use of school buildings, and states “Indiana Department of Education, in consultation with the Indiana Department of Health, shall develop guidance for graduation ceremonies, including virtual graduation, drive-in ceremonies and in-person ceremonies.
Many businesses are to remain closed: Bars and nightclubs; gyms, fitness centers, community centers and similar facilities; cultural, entertainment, sports venues and tourism, including museums, zoos, festivals, parades, concerts, fairs, sports arenas, movie theaters, bowling alleys, aquariums, theme parks, recreational sports leagues and tournaments, and similar facilities; playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, amusement parks whether indoors or outside, tourist sites, water parks and social clubs; casino operations; community swimming pools, public and private; residential and day camps; campgrounds, except for those living permanently in RVs or cabins.
People still are not allowed to visit patients in assisted living/nursing home facilities.
Settings where seniors congregate, including adult day cares, remain closed at least through May 31.
Cass, Lake and Marion counties have greater restrictions.
The state plan notes that it is subject to change “based on CDC guidance and other new information.”
As of Friday, the last day Madison County had posted data, there had been 440 positive cases and 50 deaths related to COVID-19 in the county.
For details on the State of Indiana’ s Public Health Order, go to https://backontrack.in.gov.