People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear a mask in most situations after the Indianapolis City-County Council voted to loosen health restrictions June 7.
Marion County residents will be on the honor system, according to Dr. Virginia Caine, the county’s top health official. That means people won’t have to prove their vaccination status before dropping their masks, though businesses can continue to require masks.
Masks will also be required at hospitals, airports and while on public transportation, including ride-sharing services such as Uber.
The public health order also loosens capacity restrictions:
· Religious services and funerals — 100%
· Indoor service in bars and restaurants — 75% (6-foot distancing still required)
· Personal service business such as salons — No appointment required (6-foot distancing still required)
· Indoor and outdoor sports — 50%
· Entertainment, cultural and tourism sites — 75%
· Large gatherings — 500 people
· Community pools — 100%
· Gyms, fitness studios, dance studios, etc. — 75%
· Music venues — Dance floors open (6-foot distancing still required)
· Libraries — 75%
· Youth and young adults camp — Overnight camping permitted, no mask required for campers younger than 7
As of May 30, about 35% of Marion County residents were fully vaccinated, meaning they either received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot or are two weeks out from the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna shots. Caine said the goal is to reopen when the vaccination rate gets to 50%, hopefully by July 4.
White people have paced the county’s vaccination rate at 36%, according to health department data. Latino and Asian people are at 24%, and Black or African American people are at 21%.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
