Today’s update discusses:

• Indiana Department of Homeland Security taking steps to ensure Indiana businesses are in compliance with social distancing guidelines
• Success of Indiana’s online marketplace for PPE
• Opening two more free testing sites
• Success of Marion County businesses reopening outdoor dining

HEALTH

• Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Steve Cox reminds residents of the importance of maintaining social distancing guidelines as most of the state moves into Phase Three of reopening. While it’s residents’ responsibility to continue practicing social distancing guidelines, the state’s departments are also assisting those who need help. For example, Cox explained, “Indiana Department of Homeland Security staff coordinated the critical industries website and hotline to guide businesses and employees through an unprecedented time of closures and restrictions.” Additionally, the IDHS staff has been “visit[ing] businesses to help them keep in compliance.” Cox commented that it is as important as ever to remain compliant, and so long as residents continue to be so, the state should be in good shape.

RESOURCES

• The Chief of Staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced on Friday the success of Indiana’s online marketplace for personal protective equipment. So far, over 20,000 bundles of PPE have been shipped to businesses, and another 15,000 are set to go out this week. The state has received over 14 million pieces of PPE that it is distributing to businesses that need it to reopen, with a goal of delivering over 70,000 bundles in the next month.
• As mentioned in last week’s update, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened today for free drive-through testing. Testing here will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will be done by appointment only. To be eligible for an appointment, those who wish to be tested must either be experiencing some symptoms, considered high-risk, or be a frontline essential worker. The purpose of this testing site, along with the new testing site at the Warren Central High School, is to focus on hotspots in Marion County.

GOOD NEWS

• This past weekend was the first weekend that Indianapolis restaurants could open outdoor dining, and Marion County residents are already seeing “signs of that comeback.” While it is not completely back to normal yet, many business owners are happy to see a step in the direction of reopening completely. Despite road closures and parking spaces being used for outdoor seating, many places reported easily filling up to their 50% capacity, with some owners reporting that outdoor dining “has been great.”