CLARKSVILLE, Ind. — Phase three in Indiana means pools, campgrounds and gyms can open Friday, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Still, some remain closed as a safety precaution.
"We're kind of taking it day by day and seeing how things evolve,” said Carrie Klaus, who owns Inner Spring Yoga in New Albany.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s guidelines allow her to open her yoga studio, but she said she’s holding off.
"The governors recommendations haven't really played into my decision making,” she said. “For me, decision making was thinking about our customers, our students, as well as our teachers. Mental health, physical health, and wellness is at the heart of what we do and I'm not sure that it's physically healthy for everyone to go back."
Klaus has been doing classes through Zoom amid the coronavirus pandemic. Says she still has no specific opening date in mind.
"Every day everything changes and it's really hard to plan for anything,” she said.
But for fitness centers that do open as Indiana enters phase three, the Floyd County Health Department has launched a mask program. It lets owners like Klaus get free masks to keep staff and customers safe.
“We are donating the masks to facilitate a safer resumption of service during the start-up for the State,” said Floyd County Health Officer Dr. Tom Harris.
To participate, managers must contact the health department and arrange pick-up. Managers can also visit the side door of the health department next Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to pick up masks.
Though Indiana's phase three also allows the opening of pools and outdoor recreational sports, multiple pools across southern Indiana won’t open at all in 2020. That includes the pool at Clarksville’s Aquatic Center.
"With the guidelines in place we'd have to operate at minimal capacity, and with staff and the cost it's just not possible,” said Ken Conklin with Clarksville Parks and Recreation.
Conklin said the splash pad will open later this year, and other outdoor activities are already open as of Friday.
"We're in the process of reinstalling our basketball hoops,” he said. “Tennis courts are opening today, so we're hoping that people will be able to get out and enjoy some more activities.”
Indiana’s phase three allows the number of people in social gatherings to go up from 25 to 100. Also stores can be filled to 75 percent capacity, while restaurants stay at 50 percent capacity.
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