The Bartholomew County COVID-19 Task Force applauded the governor’s decision to create a Stage 4.5 with some restrictions remaining in place.

Local officials say that the best and most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to wear masks and keep socially distant. In Bartholomew County, the staff in restaurants and retail settings will continue to require to be masked. And all residents are urged to wear masks in public.

“The greater Columbus community has much to celebrate with regards to our successes with keeping the spread of COVID-19 manageable,” said Mayor Jim Lienhoop.

“It is that success and those little wins, which have even been recognized on a national level that should motivate us to stay the course and keep prudent. The virus is not gone. We must continue to follow these important safety measures.”

The COVID-19 Community Task Force is a partnership of the City of Columbus, Bartholomew County, Columbus Regional Health and area economic and education entities coordinating resources and communication efforts to address the Coronavirus pandemic.

>For more information on the Bartholomew County COVID-19 Community Task force go to  www.covid19communitytaskforce.org.

Governor Eric Holcomb has put the brakes on some portions of the Back On Track Indiana plan.

Under the original reopening plans, Stage 5 would have come this weekend, essentially reopening the state. But on Wednesday, the governor announced several restrictions will remain in place through at least July 17, under what the governor is calling Stage 4.5

Social gatherings will be limited to up to 250 people. That limits events where people are in close contact for extended periods of time, particularly indoors including wedding receptions and parties.

Restaurants may continue dining room service at up to 75 percent capacity. Bar seating in restaurants may continue operations at 50 percent capacity and bars and nightclubs can continue operations at 50 percent capacity. But they all mus adhere to social guidelines.

Other activities that may operate at 50 percent capacity include cultural, entertainment and tourism sites, movie theaters and bowling alleys, amusement parks and water parks and raceways.

However, as of July 4th fairs, festivals and other similar outdoor events may open, as well as youth overnight camps. Pari-mutuel horse racing and racing at county fairs may begin with 50 percent spectator capacity.

School extra-curricular can start up again on Monday, July 6th.

The governor says face coverings in public places are highly recommended and the elderly and those with high-risk health conditions should make sure to stay socially distanced and remain cautious.

North Vernon will be holding its 2020 Freedom Festival on the Fourth of July from 4 to 11 p.m. at the Jennings County Fairgrounds. The event will include food and fireworks.

Music will be held on the midway and entertainment will include Keith Swinney from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the Lloyd Wood Show and the Million Dollar Garage Band from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Sounds of Summer from 8 to 10 p.m.

Organizers say that you should bring your lawn chairs and that the area is large enough for social distancing for the expected crowd. Activities were specifically chosen to allow for social distancing.

Free will donations will be accepted to go toward school supplies for the Jennings County Schools.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced the state is putting the brakes on some portions of the Back On Track Indiana plan.

Restrictions that will stay in place through at least July 17 include:

• Social gatherings following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines will be limited to up to 250 people. This limit applies to wedding receptions, parties, and other events where people are in close physical contact for extended periods of time, particularly indoors.
• Dining room food service may continue operations at up to 75 percent capacity as long as social distancing is observed. Bar seating in restaurants may continue operations at 50 percent capacity. Bars and nightclubs may continue operations open at 50 percent capacity as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines.
• Cultural, entertainment and tourism sites may continue operations open at 50 percent capacity.
• Movie theaters, bowling alleys and similar facilities may continue operations open at 50 percent capacity.
• Amusement parks, water parks and similar facilities may continue operations open at 50 percent capacity. Reservations are encouraged to limit the number of customers at any one time.
• Raceways may continue operations open at 50 percent grandstand capacity.

Some restrictions will lift as of July 4th, as originally outlined in the Back on Track plan, including:

• Fairs, festivals and other similar outdoor events may open.
• Pari-mutuel horse racing and county and state fair racing may begin with 50 percent spectator capacity.
• Youth overnight camps may open.
• Outdoor visitation is required at assisted living facilities and nursing homes beginning July 4 and indoor visitation may begin. Hospital visitations with precautions are encouraged.
• School extra-curricular, co-curricular activities may resume July 6.

“While most of our health indicators remain positive, our data indicates a need to be extra cautious, which is why we will pause much of our Back on Track roadmap,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I urge Hoosiers to maintain vigilance in social distancing and wearing masks so we can continue to reopen our state for business.”

The state will move to reopen while continuing to monitor and respond to four guiding principles:

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide has decreased for 14 days
• The state retains its surge capacity for critical care beds and ventilators
• The state retains its ability to test all Hoosiers who are COVID-19 symptomatic as well as health care workers, first responders, and frontline employees
• Health officials have systems in place to contact all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and expand contact tracing

Hoosiers 65 and over and those with high-risk health conditions – who are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus – should adhere to social distancing guidelines and remain cautious. Face coverings in public places are highly recommended.