Gov. Eric Holcomb announced he signed a new executive order that enacts even stricter standards for businesses during his statewide stay-at-home order.
Essential businesses will be allowed to remain open as long as they adhere to social distancing standards, but, now, retail businesses that provide necessities of life may remain open only if they limit the number of customers in a store at any given time to adhere to social distancing standards.
Holcomb’s executive order defines social distancing standards as having six-feet distances between people, whether they are marked by tape, signs or some other measure; having hand sanitizer and other sanitizers available; and adhering to the order’s new requirements.
Retail businesses now must also adjust hours to accommodate vulnerable populations – such as elderly individuals – limit hours to restock, clean and comply with all state mitigation measures.
According to the new executive order, all retail deemed nonessential will now operate like bars and restaurants have for previous weeks: They must operate solely by carry-out, delivery and online sales – what the order calls “minimum basic operations.” This is done to prevent foot traffic and close interactions that could spread the new coronavirus.
Holcomb’s order also calls for all campgrounds to be closed, as of April 8.
“We had those open with good intentions in mind,” Holcomb said during a press conference. “It was meant for … exercising. We can’t have parking lots full of hundreds of folks taking in our beautiful state parks, so they are now closed.”
Marion Superior Court Judge David Cook, chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, will oversee a statewide effort to enforce these orders, and an enforcement response team has been created to investigate any reports of violations.
All changes are to coincide with the state’s stay-at-home order, which runs through April 20.
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease stemming from the new coronavirus, the state recommends all residents postpone all in-person purchases unless necessary and to use call-in or online deliveries as much as possible during this time.
