Today’s update discusses:

• decrease in weekly unemployment claims
• Back on Track plan to reopen the economy
• Marion County extends its stay-at-home order

ECONOMY

• Indiana officials continue to report a decrease in unemployment claims as the state nears the end of its statewide stay-at-home order, set to expire tonight. Last week Indiana saw a reported 57,397 unemployment claims, down more than 76,000 claims from a reported weekly high of 133,639 claims filed at the beginning of April. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development stated that if an employer reopens and a person refuses to go back to work over concerns of COVID-19, that person could be denied unemployment benefits.

EMERGENCY POWERS

• As the statewide stay-at-home order expires tonight, Governor Holcomb laid out a five-stage plan to reopen the economy. The plan is designed to allow life for residents to return to normal by July 4. He stated the plan is contingent on hospitalizations due to COVID-19, medical equipment availability, and a ramp-up on testing and contact tracing. Holcomb warned that the reopening could be delayed or reversed if warranted. The plan, called the “Back on Track” plan, will involve gradual business reopenings and allowing some social gatherings.
• The Mayor of Indianapolis, Joe Hogsett, and Dr. Virginia Caine of the Marion County Public Health Department have announced their decision to extend the local stay-at-home restrictions in Marion County through mid-May. Both Hogsett and Caine recognize the unique challenges in the metropolitan community and believe that the County, which is at the heart of the Indianapolis metro area, has seen great progress with social distancing. They commited to continue monitoring the data and to adjust to reflect current trends.