“The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to plague our community,” wrote Dr. Thomas Harris about Floyd County in an extension of restaurant and bar restrictions.
“This week our county status has been changed to ORANGE,” he noted. “Measures such as hand hygiene, facial coverings, social distancing, staying home when sick, and avoiding large crowds are the most effective strategies to reduce the spread from infected persons to non-infected persons.”
“Therefore, to protect public health and simply save lives, restrictions must be extended to assist in the reduction
of COVID-19 transmission, and to decrease the number of new cases,” said Harris.
With this understanding, Harris said he was extending the Restriction of Bar Hours.
Bar services at all retail food establishments (restaurants, bars and nightclubs) will cease at 10pm [2200] local time each
evening and not to reopen until 7am, pursuant to Indiana Code 16-20-1 et seq. and 16-41-9 et seq.
Bar services include bar seating, ordering at the bar, or congregating within the defined bar area. All service within retail food establishments after 10pm must be seated tableside service only.
Additionally, restaurants will decrease seating to 75%.
All customers in retail food establishments are required to be
seated when receiving service.
Individuals from non-household parties must be spaced six feet apart at tables, counters or other seating arrangements.
The order will remain in effect until Midnight, 28 January 2021.
The order may be extended or curtailed depending on
Pandemic conditions.
The intent of this order is to continue to provide a safe environment for all people in Floyd County, and avoid the spread
of COVID-19.
This will protect public health in Floyd County, according to Harris.
Nothing in this order reduces or eliminates the requirements
imposed by the executive orders by Governor Holcomb or orders from other regulating governmental agencies.
Specific RED status criteria may be found on the FCHD or state websites.
This order is intended to be used to educate, encourage,
and persuade people to avoid large indoor gatherings and maintain social distancing.
Additionally, we encourage other business and governmental sectors to allow employees to work from home when feasible.
Citizens should continue to use frequent hand washing or sanitizing; maintain a minimum social distance of six (6) feet;
avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and stay home and isolate yourself if you are sick. We
recommend all those in symptomatic and close contact status be tested.
Harris said Covid vaccination has begun with over 3500 doses
administered.
Harris acknowledged much work remains to eliminate the Coronavirus effects on our community.
