Hogsett: Capacity levels increasing, curfews being pushed back

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Capacity limits at bars, restaurants, gyms, and music venues are being adjusted in Marion County after a consistent trend in the community’s positivity rate.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the changes on Thursday.

“Thankfully trends continue to head in a good direction,” Hogsett said during a virtual press conference.

Accordingly, the Marion County Public Health Department determined it was safe to increase capacity limits at bars, restaurants, music venues, and gyms, as well as adjust current curfews.

The following changes will be made, effective Monday:

• Bar capacity increases from 25% to 50% with bar seating as long as social distancing is enforced
• Indoor restaurant capacity increases from 50% to 75% with social distancing protocols in place
• Curfew for bars, restaurants and music venues will move to 2 a.m.
• Gyms and music venue capacity increases from 25% to 50%

Hogsett reiterated the health department’s goal of keeping COVID-19 numbers trending in the right direction as the NCAA men’s basketball tournament arrives in Indianapolis on March 18. “We remain together as vigilant as ever and this change does not diminish our desire to avoid an increase in positivity rates before, during, and after the NCAA men’s division I basketball tournament.”

News 8 spoke with people at several businesses to see how they feel about easing restrictions.

“Personally, I’m excited about it,” said Jacob Morden, studio manager at Eat The Frog Fitness in the Mass Ave. Cultural District in Indianapolis said Thursday.

Soon, Marion County gyms and music venues will be able to increase capacity to 50%. “Our members will be very excited about that,” Morden said.

Earlier in the pandemic, Eat the Frog fitness had to close for three months. It reopened in June and followed strict safety protocols including deep cleaning.

“We do a full clean at the beginning and the end of the day just to make sure we’re taking every precaution possible.” Morden said.

Goodfellas on Mass Ave also maintains strict COVID safety. It and other Marion County restaurants can soon boost their capacities to 75%. “I’m actually pretty excited about it,” said Devon Rohrer, who works front of the house at Goodfellas, because it’s an opportunity to slide more slices to hungry Hoosiers. “I’m really excited that we finally get to serve more people.”

Mayor Hogsett and Health Director Dr. Virginia Caine said bar capacity will increase to 50%, with bar seating if social distancing is followed.

Dr. Virginia Caine, Marion County’s health leader, said, “If you’re in the same household, you can actually sit next to each other. But, if you’re not from the same household, you really need to be at least 3-4 feet away from the next individual.”

Hogsett said county health officials have determined that these adjustments in capacity levels and curfews can be made safely.

Indiana State Department of Health on Thursday reported 26 more COVID-19 deaths, for a total of 12,065.

City and county leaders on Thursday also announced the COVID Community Ambassador program. According to a news release, the program “calls on all residents to use the power of their individual networks to dispel myths and challenge stigmas. By signing up at indy.gov/covid to receive email updates via an online portal, participants will receive regular email updates on new vaccine sites, qualification changes, and infographics to be shared on social media.”

The form to sign up for the ambassador program is online.

• PDF: COVID-19 Trends in Marion County, from Dr. Virginia Caine, Marion County public health director

News release

“INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the launch of a COVID Community Ambassador program, a partnership between the Office of Public Health and Safety and the Marion County Public Health Department to equip Indianapolis residents with accurate, up-to-date vaccine information.

“The COVID Community Ambassador program calls on all residents to use the power of their individual networks to dispel myths and challenge stigmas. By signing up at indy.gov/covid to receive email updates via an online portal, participants will receive regular email updates on new vaccine sites, qualification changes, and infographics to be shared on social media.

“‘Communication from trusted leaders at all levels is critical to ensuring our residents of all backgrounds feel safe and confident in receiving a potentially life-saving vaccine,’ said Mayor Hogsett. ‘This effort allows the power of connections to be at the forefront of disseminating critical vaccine information. Neighbor to neighbor, we can dispel myths and remove barriers to get our city on a healthier path.’

“COVID Community Ambassadors take a pledge to be as involved as they can be, which could include volunteering to take a homebound neighbor to an appointment, helping a family member sign up online, or giving a friend the facts when it comes to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Interested individuals can sign up by visiting indy.gov/covid and clicking on ‘CLICK HERE to learn how you can become a Community Ambassador as we work to #VaccinateIndy.’

“To kick off the campaign, the City of Indianapolis and the Marion County Public Health Department will host two webinars for participants on Facebook Live, via the OPHS Facebook page. One will be in English on March 3 at 6:00 p.m., and one will be in Spanish on March 4 at 6:00 p.m.

“This effort is part of a larger community-oriented strategy calling on every Indianapolis resident and organization to be part of the solution to one of the most challenging public health crises our city has ever seen. Additional questions and comments can be emailed to vaccinate@indy.gov for correspondence in English or vacunate@indy.gov for correspondence in Spanish.

“This week, the State of Indiana expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include Hoosiers ages 60 and up, as well as healthcare workers, long-term care residents and first responders. Eligible Hoosiers can sign up to receive the vaccine at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211. Detailed instructions on how to sign up online can be found at indy.gov/covid.”

“Mayor Joe Hogsett, MCPHD Announce COVID Community Ambassador Program,” from Mark Bode, communications director, Office of Mayor Joe Hogsett-City of Indianapolis