Across the State of Indiana and LaPorte County, cases, deaths and hospitalizations from Covid-19 have reached new alarming highs in the past few days. The Governor has instituted some new restrictions that are incorporated herein and he has given discretion to local health departments to take other such actions as are necessary to address this pandemic.
LaPorte County now has 3,265 cases reported with positivity rates up to 12.1 percent and 78 deaths, placing LaPorte county among the Code Orange category of counties, warranting an urgent and unified response.
Pursuant to the laws of the State of Indiana, Laporte County Health Department has the authority to “forbid public gatherings when considered necessary to prevent and stop epidemics,” allows to “abate” any condition that may “transmit, generate or promote disease.”
The Laporte County Health Department has consulted with a range of local elected officials including the county commissioners, County council president, the Mayors of both the City of LaPorte and City of Michigan City as well as our local state legislative delegation.
THEREFORE PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA, THEY HEREBY DECREE AND ORDER THE FOLLOWING
- Consistent with the Governor’s executive order 20-48 on restrictions for Orange counties – social events are limited to 50 persons. (If the county shifts to a Red designation, then the applicable limitation of 25 persons will apply.)
- Special events of more than 50 people will need approval from the LaPorte County Health Department. Specifically, special or seasonal events including concerts or musical performances, movie screenings, fairs, festivals, weddings, wedding receptions, convocations and sporting events that anticipate attendance of more than 50 persons must obtain approval from the Health Department and/or applicable state agency.
- Governor’s mask mandate remains in full force and effect with both employees and patrons at any establishment required to wear a mask that fully covers both the nose and mouth.
- Indoor and outdoor capacity for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues to be governed strictly by CDC social distancing guidelines.
- Self-serve buffets and salad bars, as well as karaoke, are banned.
- Maximum party size at individual tables in restaurants, bars and clubs will be reduced to six.
- Midnight closure requirement for all bars, restaurants, and clubs.
- Retail establishments limited to 2 persons per 1,000 square foot of retail space with all carts sanitized and shall not exceed two hundred fifty (250) persons in any retail establishment at any time. Retail establishments with 2,000 square feet or less may allow up to five (5) customers at one time.
- Gyms and fitness studios, including locker rooms are subject to strict adherence to social distancing requirements.
- Libraries, funeral homes, swimming pools are also subject to strict adherence to social distancing requirements
- Inspectors from both the City of LaPorte and City of Michigan City may assist the LaPorte County Health Department with enforcement and compliance of the above and will be paid by CARES Act funds provided to LaPorte County and/or funds offered by the Governor to assist with local compliance measures. (Such city inspectors will be paid by county government as “extra hire” personnel for duties conducted after normal work hours with their respective city.)
- Employees, patrons or members of the general public are encouraged to contact the LaPorte County Health Department Covid-19 hotline at 219/362-2525with reports of non-compliance with this Order.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
