EXECUTIVE ORDER: 20-14

FOR: CONTINUATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS 20-04 [20200325-IR-GOV200175EOA], 20-10 [20200401-IR-GOV200196EOA] & 20-11 [20200401-IR-GOV200197EOA] PERTAINING TO RESTAURANTS AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME, GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-02 [20200311-IR-GOV200091EOA] which declared a public health emergency exists throughout the State of Indiana as result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States and a confirmed report the disease had spread to Indiana;

WHEREAS, since then, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency with respect to this dangerous virus;

WHEREAS, as Governor, I have issued several directives requiring social distancing and other measures to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Executive Order, the virus has now spread to nearly every county throughout Indiana, causing over 1,700 Hoosiers to be sick and approximately 35 deaths; with these numbers rapidly increasing each day and expected to continue to increase in the days ahead;

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-04 [20200325-IR-GOV200175EOA] which, in part, prohibited restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other establishments from providing in-dining services and to close to in-person patrons through March 31, 2020, but allowed these establishments to provide drive-thru, take-out and delivery services;

WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-10 [20200401-IR-GOV200196EOA] which directed the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and local boards of health take all available administrative and enforcement actions against establishments that provide in-dining services in violation of Executive Order 20-04 [20200325-IR-GOV200175EOA], and further directed the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) to take administrative and enforcement actions with respect to establishments permitting in-person dining in violation of Executive Order 20-04 [20200325-IR-GOV200175EOA] and which establishments also hold alcoholic beverage permits;

WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, I also issued Executive Order 20-11 [20200401-IR-GOV200197EOA] which authorized dining entities holding permits issued by the ATC that allowed for on-premises consumption only to allow for carryout consumption off-premises;

WHEREAS, Executive Orders 20-04 [20200325-IR-GOV200175EOA], 20-10 [20200401-IR-GOV200196EOA] and 20-11 [20200401-IR-GOV200197EOA] expire on March 31, 2020, unless further extended;

WHEREAS, even as we continue with aggressive social distancing and other measures to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19, the number of cases in Indiana will likely continue to rapidly increase for the immediate future;

WHEREAS, despite significant steps being taken in our State, this virus remains a serious threat to the health, safety, and welfare of all residents of Indiana and further efforts are needed to address, control, and reduce the evolving threat posed by COVID-19;

WHEREAS, as Governor, under Indiana's Emergency Management and Disaster Law, Ind. Code ch. 10-14-3 ("Emergency Disaster Law"), I have broad authority to take actions necessary to prepare for and respond to the prompt and efficient rescue, care and treatment of persons victimized or threatened by a disaster, which include an epidemic, public health emergency and any other public calamity requiring emergency action;

WHEREAS, as Governor, my authority and powers under the Emergency Disaster Law to declare and respond to public health emergencies on behalf of our State, specifically include:

WHEREAS, in light of the above, it is necessary and proper to take further actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of all Hoosiers in connection with the continuing and evolving threat posed by COVID-19, as more particularly described herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Eric J. Holcomb, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor by the Indiana Constitution and the laws of the State of Indiana, do hereby order and extend from this date until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020, the following:

This Executive Order is a supplement to Executive Orders 20-02 [20200311-IR-GOV200091EOA], 20-04 [20200325-IR-GOV200175EOA], 20-10 [20200401-IR-GOV200196EOA] & 20-11 [20200401-IR-GOV200197EOA].

IT IS SO ORDERED.