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COVID-19 Requirements for all Hoosiers and White County - 18 November 2020

General Requirements

From the Governor's Executive Order 20-48 - All Hoosiers and all individuals in the State of Indiana must adhere to the following:

  • a. Exercise Caution at all Times
    Each and every Hoosier and person within the Hoosier state should adhere to CDC, guidance and the measures outlined in this directive to take responsibility for their safety and the health and safety of those around them.
  • b. Self-Quarantine When Warranted
    All Hoosiers are strongly encouraged to obtain a COVID-19 test and self-quarantine if they or a household member becomes symptomatic or have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. All Hoosiers who have received a positive COVID-19 test shall self-quarantine and are strongly encouraged to cooperate with contact tracers.
  • c. High Risk & Vulnerable Individuals
    Individuals at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including those 65 and above and those who are sick or have underlying medical issues, are urged to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from exposure to COVID-19, including limiting trips outside of their homes as recommended by the CDC.

    Hoosiers who will be in contact with individuals 65 and older and those with known high-risk medical conditions, should consider suspending in-person visits and should not visit if symptomatic or if they have received a positive COVID-19 test. If a visit is necessary, a face covering shall be worn at all times, whether inside or outside, and regardless of whether six (6) or more feet of distance can be achieved.
  • d. Social Distancing
    Every individual within the State of Indiana shall engage in social distancing with all other individuals, unless they are all members of a single household. The phrase "social distancing" means maintaining at least six (6) feet of distance from other individuals or, in the event six (6) feet of distance is not possible, use of a barrier to separate individuals or members of a single household from others.
  • e. Face Covering Requirement
    Every individual within the State of Indiana shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when:
    1. inside a business, a public building, or other indoor place open to the public. This does not extend, however, to private offices, private workspaces or meetings in which six (6) feet of social distancing can be achieved and maintained between individuals not in the same household;
    2. in an outdoor public space wherever it is not feasible to maintain six (6) feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household; or
    3. using public transportation or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
    unless an exemption outlined below applies or when in a private residence.
  • f. Exemptions to Wearing Face Coverings
    The following individuals are exempt from this directive to wear a face covering but are strongly encouraged to do so if practicable and without undue risk, or alternatively, are strongly encouraged to wear a face shield:
    • children under two (2) years of age should not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation;
    • children who are over the age of two (2) years and under the age of eight (8) years unless otherwise required by a directive in this Executive Order;
    • any person with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability which prevents wearing a face covering;
    • any person who is deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
    • any person for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines;
    • any person while consuming food or drink, or is seated at a restaurant or other establishment to eat or drink;
    • any person while exercising or engaging in sports activity and who can maintain six (6) feet of social distancing from other individuals not in the same household;
    • any person who is in a swimming pool, lake, or similar body of water and who can maintain six (6) feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household;
    • any person while driving alone or with passengers who are part of the same household as the driver;
    • any person obtaining a service which requires temporary removal of the face covering for security surveillance, screening, or a need for specific access to the face, such as while visiting a bank or while obtaining a health-related or personal care service involving the face, however the removal of the face covering must be temporary and limited only to the extent necessary to obtain the service;
    • any person, upon request, as part of a law enforcement investigatory stop or investigation or court-related proceeding;
    • any person who is incarcerated;
    • any person who is experiencing homelessness;
    • any person while giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience if the person can maintain six (6) feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household; or
    • any person attending or engaged in a religious service as he or she must already maintain six (6) feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household to mitigate against the spread of respiratory droplets from singing or other participation in a service.
  • g. Definitions
    1. Face Coverings: A ''face covering" means a cloth, preferably with two layers of material, which covers the nose and mouth and is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the lower face. ;
    2. Face Shields: A "face shield" is a mask, typically made of clear plastic, which covers the nose and mouth.

Counties Designated as Red

From the Governor's Executive Order 20-48 and Weekly County Point Totals - The following are special measures or restrictions for White County based on their color designation:

  • 1. County Score
    A county will be designated as Red when it has a point score of 3.0 or higher.  See how this is calculated by the State of Indiana Health Department.
  • 2. Local Officials
    1. Local health officials should evaluate the source of positive tests, undertake targeted testing where appropriate; and issue isolation or quarantine orders where necessary.
    2. The ISDH will convene local health officials, health care providers, elected officials, school leadership and other key local leaders to discuss actions that could be implemented to decrease the spread of COVID in their communities, including further support from state agencies.
    3. School officials should review plans for all extra-curricular activities and assemblies to ensure best mitigation practices are being followed.
    4. Local officials should consider limiting hours of operation for bars, taverns, nightclubs and restaurants.
  • 3. Measures and Restrictions
    1. Individuals and businesses in counties designated as Red must comply with all general requirements subject to the following modifications:
    2. While it is strongly encouraged that social gatherings be cancelled or postponed, a social gathering may have up to a total of 25 individuals provided social distancing requirements can be achieved and maintained, face coverings are worn, and other sanitation measures are implemented at the site where the gathering occurs.
    3. If a social gathering of over 25 individuals cannot be cancelled or postponed, the host of the social gathering must submit a safety plan to the local health department and receive approval from the local health department before proceeding. While it is strongly encouraged that all events be cancelled or postponed, events may have up to a total of 25 individuals and a safety plan must be submitted to the local health department and must have the plan approved before proceeding.
    4. Businesses should reduce the number of employees and personnel permitted to congregate in common areas or break rooms and should take additional measures to ensure social distancing is achieved in these areas.
    5. Restaurants and retail businesses are strongly encouraged to promote phone/online ordering with curbside pick-up.
    6. Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular activities, including IHSAA sport events, is limited to participants, support personnel and parents/ guardians/ siblings. All non-competing and non-performing participants, support personnel and attendees are required to wear face coverings at all times as set forth in the general requirements.
      1. IHSAA football games on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, may continue, however, attendance is limited to participants, support personnel and parents/guardians/siblings. The IHSAA will work with the Marion County health department on a limited spectator plan for state championship games.
    7. Community recreational sport leagues and tournaments may continue, however, attendance is limited to only participants, required personnel, and parents/ guardians of mirror participants or minor children of adult participants and personnel.
    8. Senior care centers activities must be cancelled or suspended.
    9. Hospitals, long-term care, and other congregate settings should follow the CMS and IDSH guidance on limiting visitation based on community metrics.
  • 4. Changing a County's Color Code Status
    1. A county must meet the metrics/ score of a less restrictive category for two consecutive weeks before being allowed to move to that category.
    2. A county will be moved to a more restrictive category whenever the county's metric/ score rises to a higher category.