Stage 5 of Indiana’s Back on Track plan officially takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Governor Holcomb outlined the details in an executive order Thursday. The order says, “The implementation of Stage 5 brings Indiana to a new normal.”
All businesses will be allowed to be fully open, but there will still be a number of social distancing and sanitation requirements. While capacity limits have been lifted at bars and restaurants, each party will have to be spaced at least six feet apart. Self-service food and drink stations like buffets are permitted but not recommended. Customers must remain seated while eating or drinking. Businesses will still have to have a COVID-19 plan in place.
Hoosiers continue to be required to wear a mask in public. High-risk individuals, including those age 65 and older, are asked to limit trips outside of their homes. The order remains in effect until October 17, at which point the governor plans to reevaluate it.
In a separate order, Holcomb extended Indiana’s public health disaster emergency declaration to November 1. It’s been in effect since March 6.