You’ve probably heard by now that health officials would strongly prefer that you stay home because of the pandemic. But that isn’t always possible.
Discouraging travel is one of the main ways we can reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, which is expected to peak this month in Indiana.
And state and county agencies have been tightening restrictions as the coronavirus spreads.
We’ve been receiving questions about when and where you’re allowed to go. Here are three very specific ones we received recently:
— Can I travel to Michigan to check on my in-laws?
— Can I take my mom home from Indiana to South Carolina?
— If you are in another city, are you allowed return to your home city?
The short answer to all three questions is “yes.” But the state urges caution.
State officials have listed a number of exceptions, and each of these three trips could be defined as “essential” under Gov. Holcomb’s order:
Essential activities include activities needed for sustenance, necessities of life, health, education, or employment, and as necessary to take care of others while applying social distancing requirements.
The governor’s office has also published an “Indiana Stay-At-Home Order FAQ.” It clarifies in more detail questions about travel for visiting family.
For your safety, as well as the safety of all Hoosiers, you should remain at home to help fight the spread of COVID-19. You may visit family members who need medical or other essential assistance, such as ensuring an adequate food supply.
County Restrictions
In addition to the governor’s stay-at-home order, counties can also set restrictions.
They can change at any time and without much notice. So, it’s important to stay up to date on specific travel advisories not only in your area but in the areas along your route.
In Indiana, the Department of Homeland Security records county-by-county travel restrictions at three levels: Advisory, Watch and Warning.
These designations are available at thedepartment’s website. However, again, it’s important to check with your county or the county in which you plan to travel. That’s because counties set restrictions — not the DHS, which only keeps track of them.
“Warning” is the highest of the three levels — meaning travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only.
According to the DHS, under a “Warning,” individuals are directed to: refrain from all travel; comply with necessary emergency measures; cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
Right now, only Marion County is under a travel warning. But that can change.
Several other counties — 28 as of Monday — are under a “Watch.” That means conditions are threatening to the safety of the public.
According to DHS, under a “Watch,” only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations.
That includes Brown County, where residents and local officials have urged the governor to close the county's public state properties out of concern for recent high numbers of out-of-town visitors.
Ten others are listed as an “Advisory” — the lowest level of local travel advisory.
That means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.
To find your county’s emergency management agency or health department, you can consultthis mapprovided by Indiana’s DHS.
For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here.
