By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana will begin lifting some restrictions beginning Monday, May 4, except for Marion, Lake and Cass counties, which have been hardest hit by COVID-19.

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday, May 1, that Indiana will take a sector-by-sector approach in five stages that will hopefully conclude by July 4.

Beginning Monday, Holcomb said the state will lift travel restrictions and allow for group gatherings of up to 25 people while still following CDC social gathering guidelines.

Restaurants and bars that sell food can open May 11 at 50 percent capacity, but bars that don’t sell food will remain closed during stage 2.

Beginning May 8 for all counties, places of worship will reopen but are urged to follow social distancing.

Personal services such as hair salons, spas and tattoo parlors can open May 11 by appointment only.

Hoosiers who are susceptible to the virus are still urged to stay home.

Marion and Lake Counties will begin stage 2 on May 11 while Cass County, the site of a large-scale outbreak, will enter stage 2 on May 18.

To learn more about the plans, go to backontrack.in.gov.

For the guidelines the state is relying on, click here.

Holcomb began his talk by expressing condolences for the more than 1,000 residents who have died and for the healthcare workers and others on the frontlines during the pandemic.

Look for a more detailed story later today on inkfreenews.com.

Gov. Eric Holcomb is seen in a Facebook live stream Friday.