Indiana is tightening restrictions on retail businesses as part of the extension of the stay-at-home order. Governor Eric Holcomb officially extended his “Hunker Down Hoosiers” policy through April 20 in an executive order Monday.
Going forward, stores that don’t provide “necessities of life” will only be allowed to offer delivery or curbside pickup, according to General Counsel Joe Heerens. “So think about florists, books stores,” he said during Monday’s press conference. “Think about fabric stores, craft stores, beauty supply stores. These things are not necessities of life, but we’ve created a category that allows them to continue operating under new conditions and restrictions. Specifically, the inside of the store has to be closed to customers. Customers cannot come into the stores to transact business.” Customers will continue to be allowed inside grocery stores, pharmacies, office supply stores, and similar businesses, but the number of customers at any one time will be limited.
Governor Holcomb is also directing all campgrounds, including those in state parks, to close by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday. “We had those opened with good intentions in mind,” Holcomb said. “It was meant for exercising, and we can’t have parking lots full of hundreds of folks taking in our beautiful state parks, so they are now closed. That rare exception for a campground would be if that is your primary residence.” However, state parks themselves will remain open.
The governor’s order puts Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission Chairman David Cook in charge of enforcement. “He’ll be overseeing law enforcement personnel at ATC, at Excise, at Gaming, our Conservation Officers,” Holcomb said. “They’ll be spread out statewide, making sure that we’re all, again, moving in the same direction and going through this journey together.”
The order also stresses that all essential businesses and operations must comply with the CDC’s social distancing guidelines.
