COVID-19 HEALTH ORDER/REGULATION WILL BE RESCINDED
STARTING MONDAY, MAY 17
Dr. Thomas Sharp, Monroe County Health Officer, states he will rescind the April 7th Heath Order/Regulation beginning on Monday, May 17th at 8:00 a.m.
“Our plan was to remove the Health Order once we reached the blue advisory level category on the Indiana Department of Health Covid-19 map. We are on track to reach that goal early next week.”
The change is also in line with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent guidance that people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask or stay socially distant from others in most instances, whether inside or out. Masks may still be advised for people with certain health conditions, such as being immunocompromised, so those with concerns should
check with their doctor.
Penny Caudill, Monroe County Health Department Administrator says “This is a great incentive for people to get vaccinated. The Covid-19 vaccines are safe, effective and easy to get. You can find a local vaccination appointment and register at www.ourshot.in.gov .”
“If you are unvaccinated, then masks and distancing remain a vital precaution to ensure your health and the health of those around you. Only those aged twelve and older are eligible, so we still have many who are not able to be vaccinated yet. Let’s continue to protect them. You can do that by wearing your mask, distancing, and being vaccinated.”
The CDC says that people who are not vaccinated should still wear a face covering and remain socially distant from others, except where required by federal, state or local rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Businesses and organizations can continue to require face coverings and physical distancing if they choose.
The Monroe County Board of Health will meet on 5/19/21 to assess data and consider further updates or changes.
“Thank you to all of those who have worked so hard to get us to this day,” says Dr. Sharp.
“Please continue to be cautious so we don’t have to put restrictions back into place”
Monroe County remains under Indiana Executive Order.
Mayor Hamilton Issues Executive Order Rescinding City Gathering Limit
Mayor John Hamilton today issued Executive Order 20-04, which rescinds the City of Bloomington’s Executive Order 20-03, limiting the size of non-commercial gatherings within the city limits to 15 people. The City’s new order goes into effect Monday, May 17, 2021.
The order lifting the gathering size restriction inside the city is subsequent to the announcement that the Monroe County Public Health Order issued on April 7, 2021 would be rescinded effective Monday, May 17. The county order (originally issued July 17, 2020) imposed, among other things, requirements for the wearing of face coverings and gathering limits on public and commercial gatherings. The county issued its rescission today in response to declining COVID rates in the county, increased numbers of Americans being vaccinated and resulting recommendations regarding face coverings recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The City’s Executive Order 20-03 was issued on August 21, 2020 to support the county order and further protect the health and safety of city residents by imposing a stricter gathering limit for private events.
Former State Rep Goodall passes away
Former Indiana State Representative Hurley Goodall died this weekend at age 93. Goodall graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1945, enlisted in the US Army, was one of two Black men to become the first African-American firefighters in his county, where he worked for the next 20 years, and was later elected to the school board for Muncie Community Schools. In 1992, Goodall was elected to the State Legislature, where he served 7 terms. He was the first Black person Delaware County elected to the Indiana Statehouse.