Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard signed an order March 18 declaring a local disaster emergency, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The order calls for an end to unnecessary travel, the closure of all Carmel public playgrounds and an advisory to local work-out facilities to close and for banks to remain open, but only with ATM and drive-thru services.
“I realize that the steps we are taking are difficult for local business owners and residents, but we must act quickly and we must act now to prevent the further spread of this deadly virus that has brought much pain and death to China and European countries and is threatening to do the same here in the United States of America,” Brainard said. “The pain we are experiencing today is nowhere near the pain we will most certainly experience if we sit back and do nothing. I urge all Carmel residents to join me in fighting this virus.”
The order went into effect at 7 p.m. March 18. While it is in effect, travel in the city of Carmel is only permitted for the following reasons: Medical reasons, providing care to one who you’re the primary caregiver for, mandatory work activities, food, groceries, medication, essential household goods, and hygiene products. This restriction does not impact travel related to food delivery or the resupply of retail stores, pharmacies, and food pantries.
Here are the details:
- A “Watch” travel advisory for the declared emergency is in effect within the corporate limits of the City of Carmel. Under this advisory, only essential travel is permitted and all non-essential travel should be avoided. This advisory does not affect travel in Carmel for the following purposes: (1) travel relating to medical care or diagnostic testing for oneself or another; (2) travel required to provide care to another for whom the traveler is a primary caregiver; (3) travel for mandatory employment activities; (4) travel required to obtain fuel, food, groceries, medication, or essential household goods and personal hygiene products; (5) travel relating to food delivery or to the resupply of retail stores, pharmacies, or food pantries; (6) travel for recreational purposes where the driver and passengers do not leave the vehicle; or, (7) travel by individuals engaged in employment needed to restore utility service or provide any other emergency public service.
- All employers within the City of Carmel are strongly encouraged to allow for teleworking arrangements to the maximum extent possible to minimize the amount of mandatory work travel.
- All businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations located within the City of Carmel should implement their emergency action plans.
- All public playgrounds located within the City of Carmel shall be closed. All trails and multi-use paths shall remain open and walking or bicycling thereon, as well as in public parks, is both permitted and encouraged.
- All gyms and workout facilities located within the City of Carmel should offer only individual “one trainer-one guest” sessions.
- All banks, credit unions, and investment services located within the City of Carmel should offer only drive-up, ATM, or “one financial advisor-one client” sessions.
- All hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers located within the City of Carmel should postpone all elective and non-emergency surgical procedures in accordance with and subject to Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-04.
- All retail businesses located within the City of Carmel whose facilities have drive-up capabilities should require customers to use this drive-up service only.
- All bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments that provide in-dining services within the City of Carmel must close their operations to in-person patrons and provide drive-thru, take-out, and delivery services only, in accordance with and subject to Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-04.
Source: City of Carmel