INDIANAPOLIS–You’re being asked not to travel in Marion County, unless it’s to go to work, buy groceries, or other essential functions. Mayor Joe Hogsett and Marion County Health Dept. Director Dr. Virginia Caine, made those asks Monday afternoon, while also echoing orders from Gov. Holcomb.
A news release from Hogsett said the city is also prohibiting all public gatherings of 50 or more people; closing Indianapolis bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, as well as movie theaters, entertainment venues, gyms, and fitness facilities.
“In alignment with Governor Holcomb’s directives, restaurants, bars, and retail food facilities will not be allowed to serve food for dine-in consumption but may continue to offer food for delivery, carry-out, or drive-thru.”
“These new restrictions come at a heavy cost for our community, but guidance from public-health experts makes clear they are necessary to reduce the spread of the coronavirus,” said Hogsett. “As we work to put in place protections for affected businesses and employees at a local level, I urge our partners at the state and federal level to continue to move swiftly to enact unemployment policies and small-business-assistance programs that can provide immediate assistance to Indianapolis residents.”
Hogsett issued an executive order declaring a local disaster emergency in Marion County and issuing a watch-level local travel advisory, which advises against travel except when essential, in circumstances such as to and from work, in emergency situations, or to purchase groceries and pick-up prescriptions or food.
Marion County’s Emergency Operations Center is also operational around the clock staffing, convening public health and safety professionals to monitor the developing situation.
Additionally, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced today the launch of a new tool on the city’s Indy.gov website that connects individuals, students, and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with community resources, said the news release.
By simplifying the information and distilling details from dozens of different sources, the easy to navigate tool seeks to make this difficult time easier for Indianapolis residents. Resources will be posted in real-time and organized by topic, gathering in one place programming made available by government agencies, service providers, community partners, and school districts.
