Gyms, pools, more businesses in Indiana to reopen earlier than expected

INDIANAPOLIS (FOX19) - The third stage of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s plan to reopen Indiana will now begin a few days earlier than its original schedule.

Stage three will now start on Friday, May 22 instead of May 24, the governor announced during his Wednesday update.

This stage will go through June 13, according to Gov. Holcomb.

Here is a breakdown of what stage three allows:

• Social gatherings of up to 100 people.
• Restaurant dining rooms remain open at 50% capacity.
• Retail stores, malls open to 75% capacity.
• Raceways can begin competition with no spectators.
• State park inns can reopen.
• Youth summer day camps may begin June 1.
• Gyms, YMCAs, fitness studios can open with restrictions.
• Community pools, campgrounds can open.
• Recreational sports practices can start if they follow guidelines.
• Baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis facilities may open.

Hoosiers 65 and older or anyone at high-risk should remain cautious and limit exposure, Holcomb stated.

Face coverings are still recommended for everyone even though more businesses and facilities are reopening, the governor said.

The governor and State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box say because Hoosiers did a great job of not spreading the coronavirus, they were able to move the start date for stage 3/

Holcomb also says he is signing an executive order that extends the following until July 1:

• Extends prohibition on turning off utilities.
• Extends prohibition on filing mortgage foreclosures and evictions.
• Extends deadlines to acquire or renew driver licenses, vehicle registrations and similar BMV documentation.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced that as of Wednesday 581 more cases of COVID-19 have been verified, bringing the total number of cases in Indiana to 29,274.

1,716 total deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. An additional 148 probable deaths were reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients with no positive test on record.

195,738 tests have been reported to ISDH, which is an increase of 6,408 from Tuesday.

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