INDIANAPOLIS — Friday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
ISO suspends upcoming indoor season
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has suspended its upcoming indoor season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The ISO and the Orchestra Committee, which represents the symphony's musicians, released a joint statement announcing the decision Friday afternoon.
“While our mutual desire is to return world-class music to a city that has been upended by the events of the last few months, we recognize the challenges presented to the ISO by the pandemic and unforeseen economic pressures. For those reasons, the 2020-21 indoor season will not go on as planned," the statement read.
Read more about the decision here.
McDonald's to require face masks in all restaurants
McDonald's will require all customers to wear masks when visiting any of the company's U.S. restaurants, beginning August 1.
"The intent of this policy is to take a proactive approach and focus on quickly finding solutions when customers are unable or unwilling to wear a face covering," McDonald's said Friday in a statement. "In those situations where a customer declines to wear a face covering, we’ll put in place additional procedures to take care of them in a friendly, expedited way."
McDonald's says 82 percent of its U.S. restaurants are located in states or localities that already require face coverings. McDonald's says Friday's announcement will help "protect the safety of all employees and customers."
Holiday World requiring face masks in some areas
Holiday World will require guests to wear masks upon entry to the park and in any indoor areas beginning Monday, July 27 to comply with the newly signed statewide executive order.
Once inside the park, visitors can remove their face masks in outdoor areas as long as they are able to socially distance.
The park has also asked visitors to get a HoliCash wristband or use Apple Pay or Android Pay for touchless payment options.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health reports 1,011 new COVID-19 cases. That sets a new daily record during the pandemic eclipsing Thursday's record of 954. The state total for positive cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic is now at 60,598. Daily positive cases of the virus are now well above levels seen back in April for Indiana.
Around 50 percent of ICU beds remain available for patients. However, hospitalizations are on the rise again.
The state also saw four new deaths, which brings the state total to 2,687.
ISDH is hosting free testing clinics through Saturday in the following counties: Elkhart, Henry, Lake, Starke, Tippecanoe, Kosciusko, Marshall, Ohio, Brown, Gibson, Wells, Perry and Warrick. In addition, ISDH will offer testing on Saturday only at the following locations:
- Luther Howe Park
1600 W. Green St.
Clinton, IN
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Indianapolis Urban League
777 Indiana Ave.
Indianapolis, IN
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Franklin Township schools adjust reopening plan to meet new restrictions
The Franklin Township Community School Corporation has changed its return-to-school plan to align with the latest public health order in Marion County. After Mayor Joe Hogsett and Marion County Public Health Department Commissioner Dr. Virginia Caine announced a new health order Thursday afternoon, the district notified parents of changes to be put into place.
All K-12 students will start school with online instruction Monday, Aug. 3. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, all K-6 students and half of 7-12 students will begin in-person learning. Students with last names beginning with A-K will do in-person learning on Mondays and Wednesdays. Students with last names beginning with L-Z will do in-person learning on Tuesdays and Thursday.
Students will do virtual learning whenever they are not at school. All students will do virtual learning on Fridays.
Guidance from the Marion County Public Health Department will dictate how long this structure lasts. For more information about the changes, click here.
New restrictions in Indianapolis begin Friday
Indianapolis is moving to once again close bars and nightclubs that don't serve food through at least Aug. 12. Indoor restaurant seating is now set to 50 percent capacity, and bar seating must be closed. All restaurants must close for in-person dining between midnight and 5 a.m.
Masks must be worn with your nose and mouth covered while you are in public, if you cannot socially distance. Social gatherings must not exceed 50 individuals.
Tattoo, nail and hair salons can operate by appointment only. Gyms will be at 25 percent capacity.
All these new restrictions go into place Friday, July 24. Bars and nightclubs will have to close at midnight and not reopen.
Students will not be able to return to school in Indianapolis until Aug. 5, at the earliest. The mayor said that guidance on if and when schools can resume will be coming next week.
School personnel will get training on symptoms to look for. Schools must also notify the Marion County Health Department within 24 hours if a students or staff member is positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing will then take place to identify all those potentially exposed.
RELATED: Indianapolis postponing school, closing bars, other restrictions after increase in COVID-19 cases
Latest US, world numbers
There have been 4.03 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 3:30 a.m. ET Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 144,000 deaths and 1.23 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 15.51 million confirmed cases with more than 633,000 deaths and 8.81 million recovered.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
VP Pence coming to Indianapolis Friday
Vice President Mike Pence will be visiting Indianapolis on Friday, July 24.
He will meet with higher education leaders on safely reopening schools. That meeting is set to take place at Marian University Friday afternoon.
Second Lady Karen Pence will be joining the vice president on the trip.
Fishers' mask mandate begins Friday
Earlier this week, the Fishers Health Department passed an ordinance requiring people to wear masks in the city.
The mandate will take effect at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 24, requiring everyone in Fishers, outside of those who meet approved exceptions, must wear a covering on their nose and mouth when at a public indoor place or outdoors when a distance of six feet from people who are not part of their household cannot be maintained.
The mandate includes, but is not limited to:
- Retail and grocery stores
- Restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues
- Salons and personal care facilities
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Office and commercial buildings
- Government buildings
The mandate does not apply to children who are under the age of 5, though the health department recommends children age 2 or older who attend child care wear a mask. Other exceptions include individuals who are hearing or speaking impaired and those who cannot wear a mask for physical, medical or health-related reasons.
The health department said those who are working alone in a room in a public building, traveling in their own vehicles or where wearing a mask would create a risk to their safety while at work are exempt. That exception would be determined by local, state and federal workplace safety regulations.
More information about the mandate, including more information about those exempt from wearing a mask can be found here.
On Wednesday, Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a statewide mask mandate, which goes into effect Monday, July 27.