This is a formal petition brought forth by local business owners requesting the rescindment of the order put in place by Dr. Adler with the Tippecanoe County Health Department on August 12th, 2020 adding additional restrictions on bars and restaurants on top of Governor Holcomb's Back on Track Plan, Stage 4.5.
Governor Holcomb has recently announced the extension of his Stage 4.5, Back on Track Plan through August 27th. This order has already required that:
1. Dining room food service may operate at up to 75% capacity as long as social distancing is
observed.
2. Bar seating in restaurants may operate at 50% capacity as long as social distancing is observed.
3. Bars and nightclubs may operate at 50% capacity adhering to social distancing guidelines.
There has been a huge burden put on businesses through this pandemic. On March 6th, 2020, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-02 which declared a public health emergency exists through the state of Indiana as a result of the COVID-19 disease outbreak in the United States. Ever since this order, there have been restrictions on businesses to help slow the spread so we wouldn't overwhelm our healthcare facilities. Businesses have been completely compliant with the restrictions put in place which include reduced capacity, extra cleaning measures, social distancing, and requiring face coverings when not seated.
The goal of orders by Governor Holcomb was to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We currently only have 12.9% of our ICU beds, and 2.8% of our ventilators in use due to COVID-19 in the state of Indiana. We have been very successful at accomplishing the goal to not overwhelming hospitals. And yet, the restrictions continue.
Local business owners that are already struggling due to the harsh restrictions, will only be further impacted by the order put in place by The Tippecanoe County Health Department. Our local business leaders care deeply about the health and safety of our community. They are doing everything possible to ensure a safe environment by adhering to the Governor's orders. This additional order will make local businesses struggle even more to stay afloat, and to be able to keep staff employed due to not being able to earn a living wage to provide for their families. Many of the PPP funds put in place to help curb the financial burden are now exhausted. There are no additional financial resources available to help support businesses. If there is a need to look at individual businesses in the future that are not keeping safety in mind, that should be addresses to that individual business, not just universally applied to all bars and restaurants in Tippecanoe County that have been complying with the orders.
In summary, local businesses will continue to keep the health and safety of our community in mind. We must find a way to accomplish this, while also keeping our local economy strong by supporting the needs of local business owners.
