Gov. Holcomb Moves Indiana Into Stage 5 Of Back On Track Plan

Under Stage 5, face coverings will continue to be required for all Hoosiers.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Indiana is moving forward into the final stage of Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track Plan.

The governor made the announcement on Wednesday during his weekly media brief.

“Because of the progress that we’ve made over the last not one week, two weeks, three weeks, but going back now for a few months is that steady progression has occurred we’ll be able to move on to Stage 5 of our Back on Track Plan,” said Governor Holcomb.

Stage 5 will begin on Saturday, September 26 and will run through October 17. The state was originally scheduled to move into Stage 5 on July 4, but the numbers dictated that the state only move to Stage 4.5. 

Under Stage 5, face coverings will continue to be required for all Hoosiers. Size limitations for social gatherings and meetings will be removed, but organizers of events that will include more than 500 people must submit a written plan to the local health department.

Hoosiers should continue to maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently and do not go to school or work or in public places if you feel sick.

Starting Saturday, restaurants and bars that offer food may open at full capacity. The governor says appropriate social distancing must be maintained between tables, and bar section customers must be seated.

Nightclubs may also open at full capacity under Stage 5.

Indoor and outdoor venues may open at full capacity, while personal services such as gyms, fitness centers and workout facilities may resume normal operations.

Additionally, senior centers and congregate nutrition sites may reopen according to Family and Social Services Administration guidance. While nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to provide visitation opportunities.

https://t.co/bYYT8XRSpj

— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 23, 2020

Gov. Holcomb has used data to drive decisions since the state’s first case of the novel coronavirus in early March and he continues to do so. The state continues to monitor and respond to an expanded set of metrics, including:

• The 7-day average positivity rate
• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide
• The number of critical care beds and ventilators
• The state’s ability to test all Hoosiers who are COVID-19 symptomatic as well as health care workers, first responders and frontline employees
• Systems are in place to contact all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and expand contact tracing
• The number of positive cases per 100,000 residents

“Indiana continues to experience steady health indicators as Hoosiers change their habits to wash our hands more, practice social distancing and wear face coverings. This allows us to continue to get Indiana Back on Track, and I urge Hoosiers to keep up their vigilance, especially as the days get cooler, so schools and businesses can remain open,” Gov. Holcomb said.

In addition to moving into Stage 5 of the Back on Track Plan, the state has launched a new initiative to help Hoosiers, communities and businesses get back to work and connected with resources that can help people move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rapid Recovery for a Better Future initiative focuses on the following:

• Learn about options and connect to relevant, simple and real-time job, career, skill and educational resources and funding for personal advancement. An online hub, YourNextStepIn.org, provides connection and one-on-one supports for Hoosiers at the touch of their fingertips. A comprehensive outreach network will share the state’s resources with Hoosiers from their own trusted sources: community leaders, pastors or other faith leaders and employers. For those thinking through their education and training options, INvestEd will provide free, one-on-one financial aid guidance.
• Connect to opportunities with the assistance of career coaches and navigators to empower Hoosiers to assess and develop their skills and gain better understanding of job needs and opportunities.
• Take the next step and advance their careers with convenient access to accelerated programs and credentials that value prior learning and experiences, such as the Workforce Ready Grant and Ivy Tech’s Rapid Recovery program—which will provide free courses and training for 10,000 Hoosiers.
• In addition, the Rapid Recovery initiative is providing enhanced, consolidated and simplified resources for employers with the partnership of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more at www.calendar.in.gov.