Rules by state for mask-wearing when out in public

 (CNN) — More states have mandated the use of masks and face coverings while in public.

After some states lifted some coronavirus restrictions, an uptick in cases has led to new restrictions in many states. The number of cases is rising in more than half of them.

That’s where masks come in. A recent study found that the use of masks and face coverings has been the most effective way to reduce person-to-person spread of coronavirus.

Here are the states that require the use of masks or face coverings in public settings.

Alabama

As of July 15:

Gov. Kay Ivey issued an amended Safer at Home order which requires residents to wear a mask or face covering when in public and in close contact with other people. The order was extended through August 31, and it was expanded to include students in second grade and above.

Arkansas

As of July 20:

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that beginning on Monday, July 20, residents 10 years and older must wear masks when in the presence of non-household members and aren’t able to socially distance. The order is enforceable and offenders can be cited for a misdemeanor or fined.

California

As of June 18:

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide order requiring the use of face coverings in public indoor spaces, including while shopping, riding on public transportation or seeking medical care.

Newsom’s order also mandated the use of masks or face coverings in public outdoor spaces when social distancing is not an option. There was no guidance on how the order will be enforced or if violators will face any penalties or citations.

Colorado

As of July 17:

Gov. Jared Polis announced that residents will be required to wear masks when in public indoor spaces and not able to socially distance from others.

Connecticut

As of April 20:

Connecticut’s mask requirement applies to any resident over the age of 2 in a public space where social distancing isn’t possible. The rules also apply to individuals using public transportation, taxis or rideshare services.

The state’s Department of Economic and Community Development also released mask guidelines for essential workers:

Employees at essential businesses must wear masks or any other material covering their mouth and nose at all times while at work. Employers must provide masks or the materials to make them. All customers under age 2 must wear them, too.

People who refuse to wear masks aren’t required to provide proof that they’re medically exempt.

Delaware

As of April 28:

Gov. John Carney ordered residents to wear face masks while in public, including at grocery and convenience stores, pharmacies, doctor’s offices and on public transportation.

Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear face coverings, and those age 2 and under must not wear face masks due to the risk of suffocation.

District of Columbia

As of May 16:

Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the use of masks or face coverings when conducting essential business or travel and social distancing isn’t possible.

Masks or other face coverings are required in grocery stores, pharmacies and takeout restaurants. On public transportation, face coverings are required if individuals are unable to be six feet apart.

Children between the ages of 2 and 9 are advised to wear masks.

Hawaii

As of April 20:

Both customers and employees at essential businesses are required to wear cloth face coverings. Establishments must limit the number of customers allowed in and keep them six feet apart.

Anyone who violates those rules could face a fine of up to $5,000, or up to a year in prison if found guilty, according to Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s order.

Illinois

As of May 1:

Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered the use of face masks for anyone stepping outside their house.

Face coverings are required while shopping at essential businesses, traveling on public transportation, picking up food, or visiting the doctor and it’s impossible to stay six feet apart.

Indiana

As of July 27:

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that a statewide mask mandate will go into effect on July 27 due to the increase in the state’s positivity rate and some counties seeing increases in cases.

The mask mandate applies to anyone who is 8 years and older, and is required in indoor public spaces, commercial entities, while using transportation services and outdoors where social distancing isn’t possible.

The mask mandate will remain in effect indefinitely.

Kansas

As of July 3:

An executive order was issued by Gov. Laura Kelly mandating face masks must be worn statewide in public spaces.

Kelly, commenting on Facebook Monday, wrote, “Starting July 3, I will issue an Executive Order requiring marks be worn in indoor public spaces, and at any outdoor gathering in which social distancing cannot be maintained. This step will keep Kansans healthy, and keep Kansas open for business.”

Kentucky

As of May 11:

Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all state residents to wear face masks in public.

Beshear has said that people will not be fined or arrested for not wearing a mask in public, but the order gives businesses the right to turn away any customer not wearing a face covering.

Louisiana

As of July 13:

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a statewide mask order for everyone 8 years and older.

Parishes in the state can opt out of the mask mandate if they don’t have a high positivity rate, but Edwards said only three would qualify to do so right now.

Maine

As of May 1:

Gov. Janet Mills issued an order requiring face coverings or masks for anyone over the age of 2 in indoor public spaces such as supermarkets, retail stores, pharmacies and doctor’s offices.

Maryland

As of April 18:

Commuters must wear face coverings while using Maryland’s public transit, according to Gov. Larry Hogan’s order.

Employees of essential businesses and customers over the age 9 must wear face coverings. Adults accompanying young children should make an effort to get them to wear a mask.

Massachusetts

As of May 6:

Gov. Charlie Baker issued an order requiring the use of face coverings or masks in both indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing isn’t possible.

Children under the age of 2 do not have to adhere to this order.

Michigan

As of June 18:

Michigan requires all residents to wear face coverings or masks in all public settings.

Businesses are allowed to deny entry to individuals not wearing face coverings.

Minnesota

As of July 25:

Gov. Tim Walz has issued an executive order that requires the use of masks in indoor public places, while using public transportation and while outdoors where social distancing isn’t possible. Children under the age of 5 are exempt from the mask mandate.

Montana

As of July 16:

Face coverings are now required in certain indoor business settings for counties with four or more active Covid-19 cases, according to a new directive issued by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D). Residents attending outdoor gatherings of 50 or more people when social distancing isn’t possible will also require face coverings.

Nevada

As of June 24:

Nevada requires anyone in any public space to wear a mask. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office said this includes while using public transportation, in public facing work environments, while patronizing businesses, or interacting with others in any generally publicly accessible space.

“For Nevada to stay safe and stay open, we must make face coverings a routine part of our daily life,” Sisolak said.

New Hampshire

As of August 11:

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu issued an order requiring masks to be worn at gatherings of more than 100 people. New Hampshire is the only New England state that does not have a statewide mask mandate in public where social distancing cannot be maintained.

New Jersey

As of April 8:

New Jersey was the first state to require customers and employees to wear face coverings at essential businesses and construction sites. Businesses must provide them to employees and deny entry to any customer who refuse to wear them (though customers can still pick up food or medicines in other contact-free ways).

Commuters on New Jersey’s trains, buses and light rails must wear face coverings. If they refuse, they may be denied entry.

New Mexico

As of May 16:

Adults are required to wear masks in all public settings, except while eating, drinking, exercising or for medical reasons. Masks are recommended for children 3 and older, and children 5 and under must have adult supervision.

New York

As of April 17:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order mandated state residents to wear masks in public.

All residents over age 2 must wear masks or face coverings when in public and social distancing is impossible.

North Carolina

As of June 26:

Gov. Roy Cooper requires that face coverings be worn whenever people are out and about in public and where physical distancing is not possible. A number of businesses, such as restaurants and hair salons, also will require both employees and customers wear face masks.

“We need to all work together so we can protect our families and neighbors, restore our economy, and get people back to work and our children back to school,” Cooper said in announcing the requirement.

Ohio

As of July 23:

Gov. Mike DeWine announced during a news briefing that there will be a mask mandate that requires people to cover their nose and mouth when inside public spaces or outside when social distancing is not possible.

Oregon

As of July 1:

Gov. Kate Brown has now required the state’s residents to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces beginning July 1. Face covering requirements are already mandated in eight counties but this would broaden the mandate to the whole state.

“I do not want to have to close down businesses again like other states are now doing,” Brown said in a statement.

“If you want your local shops and restaurants to stay open, then wear a face covering when out in public,” she added.

Pennsylvania

As of April 19:

Essential businesses must provide and require their employees to wear masks, according to the order from Pennsylvania’s Department of Health. Customers at these businesses must wear masks while on the premises or be denied entry.

Puerto Rico

People are required to wear face coverings when in public spaces. Businesses must ensure customers are wearing face coverings.

Rhode Island

As of May 8:

Gov. Gina Raimondo issued an order requiring all residents over the age of 2 to wear face coverings or masks while in public settings, whether indoors or outdoors.

Texas

As of July 3:

Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order that will require residents in counties with 20 or more active Covid-19 cases to wear face coverings in public. It takes effect midday on July 3.

The order says that failure to comply could be punishable by a fine.

Vermont

As of August 1:

Cloth face coverings are now required in public places — both indoor and outdoor — and in group living settings across the state anytime it’s not possible to keep a 6-foot distance from other people who are not a part of your household.

There are exemptions for people exercising outdoors, children under the age of two, anyone with a medical or developmental condition that is complicated by a face covering, and those with difficulty breathing.

Virginia

As of May 29:

Gov. Ralph Northam instituted a statewide mask mandate that requires residents aged 10 and older to wear a mask when entering or spending time in establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores and train stations.

Washington

As of June 26:

Gov. Jay Inslee instituted a mask mandate that requires everyone to wear a mask or face covering in an indoor public space and in outdoor public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible.

West Virginia

As of July 6:

Gov. Jim Justice issued an executive order that he said would require all West Virginians 9 years old and up to wear a face mask anytime they are in public and indoors and where they are unable to maintain six feet of social distancing.

Justice said he issued the order after the state experienced its highest daily total of new cases over the July 4th weekend.

“I know it’s an inconvenience, but it’s not going to be much of an inconvenience,” Justice said. “If you don’t decide to wear the face covering for yourself, if you don’t decide to wear it for one of your loved ones or your friends, do it for the 95 West Virginians that have died, do it for the 95 people that we’ve lost.”

Wisconsin

As of August 1:

Gov. Tony Evers issued a public health emergency and an emergency order that requires a face covering to be worn when indoors or in an enclosed space and not in a private residence, for residents who are 5 and older. The order is set to expire on September 28.

Coronavirus links

• Indiana State Department of Health coronavirus information (includes phone number to state hotline)
• Sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations in Indiana
• WISH-TV coronavirus coverage
• WISH-TV’s “Gr8 Comeback”
• Original Indiana Back on Track plan
• Revised Stage 3 of Indiana Back on Track plan (May 12-June 13)
• Revised Stage 4 of Indiana Back on Track plan (June 12-July 3)
• Governor’s order, July 1: Stage 4.5 of Indiana Back on Track plan
• Governor’s order, Aug. 26: Extension of Stage 4.5 of Indiana Back on Track plan
• Governor’s order, Sept. 24: Revised Stage 5 of Indiana Back on Track plan
• Governor’s order, Jan. 28, 2021: 11th renewal of statewide emergency
• Governor’s order, Feb. 25, 2021: 12th renewal of statewide emergency
• Indianapolis government’s COVID-19 Community Resources page
• Gleaners Food Bank distribution sites in Indianapolis area, south central Indiana
• Second Harvest of East Central Indiana “tailgate” food distribution sites
• Food Finders distribution sites in west and north central Indiana
• Coronavirus COVID-19 global cases map from John Hopkins University
• CDC’s coronavirus page
• Marion County Public Health Department coronavirus information 
• U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program
• Indiana PPE Directory (for businesses, nonprofits and schools only)

Indiana coronavirus timeline

With information from the Indiana Department of Health through March 4, 2021, this timeline reflects updated tallies of deaths and positive tests prior to that date.

• March 6, 2020: Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) confirms the first case in Indiana. Officials say the Marion County resident had recently traveled to Boston to attend a BioGen conference as a contractor.
• March 8: ISDH confirms a second case. A Hendricks County adult who had also traveled to the BioGen conference was placed in isolation. Noblesville Schools says a parent and that parent’s children will self-quarantine after attending an out-of-state event where someone tested positive.
• March 9: Avon Community School Corp. says a student on March 8 tested positive.
• March 10: ISDH launches an online tracker. Ball State University basketball fans learn the Mid-American Conference tourney will have no fans in the stands. Three businesses operating nursing homes in Indiana announce they will no longer allow visitors.
• March 11: The Indianapolis-based NCAA announces the Final Four basketball tournaments will happen with essential staff and limited family attendance. The Big Ten announces all sports events, including the men’s basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, will have no fans starting March 12. Ball State University suspends in-person classes the rest of the spring semester. NBA suspends all games, including the Indiana Pacers, until further notice. Butler University and the University of Indianapolis extend spring break, after which they will have virtual classes.
• March 12: Gov. Eric Holcomb announces new protections that led to extended public school closings and the cancellation of large events across the state. The NCAA cancels its basketball tournaments. The Big Ten suspends all sporting events through the winter and spring seasons. The league including the Indy Fuel hockey team suspends its season. Indy Eleven says it will reschedule four matches. Indianapolis’ annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is canceled. 
• March 13: The Indiana High School Athletic Association postpones the boys basketball tournament. Wayzata Home Products, a Connersville cabinet maker, shuts down and lays off its entire workforce due to market uncertainty. Holcomb announces actions including the elimination of Medicaid co-pays for COVID-19 testing and the lifting of limits on the number of work hours per day for drivers of commercial vehicles. Franklin College says it will begin online classes March 18 and empty residence halls of students in two days. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis closes indefinitely. The Indianapolis Public Library joins other libraries across Indiana and closes all facilities indefinitely.
• March 14: The Indiana Gaming Commission says all licensed gaming and racing operations will close in two days for an indefinite period.
• March 15: Indiana had its first death. St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis announces it will suspend all elective, non-urgent surgeries.
• March 16: Indiana had its second death. Gov. Holcomb announced the first Hoosier death. He closes bars, restaurants and nightclubs to in-person patrons, but maintains carryout and delivery services.
• March 17: Indiana had its third and fourth deaths. ISDH announces Indiana’s second death. Gov. Holcomb activates the National Guard. Purdue, Butler and Indiana State universities cancel May commencement ceremonies.
• March 18: Indiana had its fifth death. Eli Lilly and Co. says it will use its labs to speed up testing in Indiana. The 500 Festival suspends all events. Simon Property Group closes all malls and retail properties.
• March 19: Holcomb extends Indiana’s state of emergency into May. Holcomb says he’ll close all K-12 public and nonpublic schools; standardized testing was canceled. The state’s income-tax and corporate-tax payment deadline was extended to July 15. Holcomb says the state will waive job search requirements for people applying for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Indiana’s high school boys basketball tournament was canceled.
• March 20: Indiana’s death toll rose to 9. ISDH announces Indiana’s third death. Holcomb moves the state’s primary election to June 2. Indiana University says it is postponing May commencement ceremonies on all campuses.
• March 21: Indiana’s death toll rises to 14. ISDH announces Indiana’s fourth death. Indiana National Guard says it and the state Department of Transportation are distributing medical supplies to hospitals.
• March 22: Indiana’s death toll rises to 18. ISDH announces seven deaths.
• March 23: Indiana’s death toll rises to 23. Holcomb orders nonessential Hoosiers to “stay at home” from March 24-April 7. Eli Lilly & Co. begins drive-thru testing for the coronavirus for health care workers with a doctor’s order. Ball State University cancels the May commencement.
• March 24: Indiana’s death toll rises to 28. Fred Payne of Indiana Workforce Development says any Hoosiers out of work, including temporary layoffs, are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits.
• March 25: Indiana’s death toll rises to 33. Indianapolis Motor Speedway announces the Indianapolis 500 is moved to Aug. 23.
• March 26: Indiana’s death toll rises to 42.
• March 27: Indiana’s death toll rises to 45.
• March 28: Indiana’s death toll rises to 58.
• March 29: Indiana’s death toll rises to 77.
• March 30: Indiana’s death toll rises to 91.
• March 31: Indiana’s death toll rises above 100, to 113. Holcomb extends the limits of bars and restaurants to offer only “to go” and “carryout” through April 6.
• April 1: Officials extend Marion County’s “stay at home” order through May 1. Marion County health officials say they will start COVID-19 testing services for front-line employees.
• April 2: The state announces K-12 schools will be closed for the rest of the school year. Indiana High School Athletic Association cancels spring sports seasons.
• April 3: Holcomb extends the “stay at home” order through April 20. The Indiana National Guard says it, the Army Corps of Engineers and state health officials will begin to assess sites for alternate health care facilities.
• April 6: The state reports a Madison County nursing home has had 11 deaths. Holcomb extends the “stay at home” order through April 20. He also limits additional businesses to carry-out only.
• April 7: Indiana health commissioner Box says four long-term care facilities have 22 deaths that appear to be related to COVID-19.
• April 10: ISDH said 24 residents of a long-term care facility in Madison County have died from COVID-related illness.
• April 14: Indiana’s death toll rises above 500.
• April 16: Indiana records more than 10,000 positive coronavirus tests. The governor says he expects Indiana to experience a reopening in early May.
• April 20: Holcomb extends the “stay at home” order to May 1. The governor also says if the medical supply chain is in good shape, other elective medical procedures can resume April 27.
• April 22: The Tyson facility in Logansport voluntarily closes so 2,200 employees can be tested for COVID-19.
• April 24: The Indianapolis City-County Council approves $25 million to help small businesses. Fishers City Council creates a city health department.
• April 25: ISDH says it will launch an antibody testing study for Hoosiers; thousands of residents were randomly selected to participate in the study.
• April 27: Indiana’s death toll rises above 1,000.
• April 28: Indiana officials say they will open COVID-19 testing to more Hoosiers, with expanded criteria and new testing services at 20 sites around the state.
• April 29: The state says it will spent $43 million on contact tracing.
• April 30: Indianapolis extends its stay-at-home order through May 15.
• May 1: Gov. Holcomb announces a phased reopening plan for the state of Indiana. He also extends the “stay at home” order to May 4.
• May 3: Indiana records more than 20,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• May 4: Indiana enters Stage 2 of its Back on Track plan, which excludes Cass County until May 18, and Lake and Marion counties until May 11.
• May 6:The state begins testing for all Hoosiers at 20 sites, with plans to expand the number of sites to 50 in a week. Ivy Tech Community College says it will continue virtual classes when summer courses begin in June. 
• May 8: Cris Johnston, director of the Office of Budget and Management, says the state missed out on nearly $1 billion in anticipated April revenues; all state agencies will be given budget-cutting goals. Purdue University OKs plans to reopen for the fall semester with social distancing and other safety measures.
• May 13: The first phase of a state-sponsored study of the coronavirus estimated about 186,000 Hoosiers had COVID-19 or the antibodies for the novel virus by May 1. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced plans for limited reopenings of worship services, retail establishments, libraries and restaurants.
• May 15: Simon Property Group reopens Castleton Square Mall, Circle Centre Mall, and Fashion Mall at Keystone
• May 18: Indiana reports its first case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a child. The Farbest Foods turkey-processing plant in Huntingburg is closed for three days; 91 people had tested positive there.
• May 21: Indiana records more than 30,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• May 22: Indiana advances to Stage 3 of the Back on Track reopening plan. Indianapolis closes portions of five streets to allow restaurants to reopen with outdoor dining only.
• May 26: Indiana’s death toll rises above 2,000.
• May 27: Indiana University says the fall semester will have in-person and online courses, plus an adjusted calendar through May 2021. Ball State University says the fall semester will be 13 straight weeks of in-person classes with no day off on Labor Day and no fall break.
• May 29: Places of worship in Marion County can begin holding indoor services at 50% capacity with proper social distancing. Jim Schellinger, Indiana secretary of commerce, said the federal Paycheck Protection Program has made 73,430 loans in Indiana totaling $9,379,164,461, the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has made 5,070 loans in Indiana totaling $445,428,500, and the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans Advance program has made 38,365 grants in Indiana totaling $136,554,000.
• June 1: Marion County restaurants begins serving customers indoors and outdoors with 50% capacity. Marion County salons, tattoo parlors reopen by appointment only. Marion County gyms, fitness centers and pools reopen with 50% capacity and no contact sports. However, a Marion County curfew that began the night of May 31 and continued into the morning of June 3 after rioting impacted the reopening of some businesses.
• June 3: Phase 2 of statewide testing of random Hoosiers by the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI and the Indiana State Department of Health begins.
• June 5: Indiana reports May tax revenues were 20% short of projections made before the coronavirus closings started.
• June 8: Indianapolis leaders agree to spend $79 million in coronavirus relief funding on contact tracing, rent relief, personal protective equipment and support for small businesses.
• June 12: Indiana, excluding Marion County, advances to Stage 4 of reopening plan.
• June 15: Casinos and parimutuel racing reopen in the state. Marion County’s public libraries begin a phased reopening. Indiana records more than 40,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• June 19: Marion County advances to Stage 4 of state’s reopening plan.
• June 24: Holcomb says the state’s moratorium on the eviction on renters will be extended through July. Indiana announces it will create a rental assistance program July 13. Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon says he has tested positive for COVID-19.
• June 27: Indiana hospitalizations for COVID-19 begin to increase, with about 33 new patients a day through July 1.
• July 1: The governor pauses Stage 5 final reopening plan, announces Stage 4.5 from July 4-17.
• July 4: Indiana’s Stage 4.5 reopening plan begins.
• July 9: Indiana records more than 50,000 positive coronavirus tests. Marion County mandates mask-wearing.
• July 10: Indianapolis Public Schools announces its reopening plans.
• July 11: Indy Eleven resumes 2020 season with victory at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis reopens.
• July 13: Indiana begins rental assistance program for all counties but Marion County. Marion County begins its own rental assistance program.
• July 15: Indiana announces the Stage 4.5 reopening plan will continue another two weeks. The WNBA season begins.
• July 16: Indianapolis suspends applications for its rental assistance program due to overwhelming demand.
• July 24: Bars, taverns and nightclubs in Indianapolis are shut down again. City officials also return to other previous restrictions.
• July 25: Indiana Fever begins WNBA season after delays.
• July 27: Indiana governor’s order to wear face coverings begins. Great Lakes Valley Conference, which including University of Indianapolis, postpones most fall sports, including football, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball, until spring.
• July 30: NBA season resumes.
• Aug. 4: Indianapolis Motor Speedway announces the Aug. 23 Indianapolis 500 will be run without fans.
• Aug. 9: Indiana records more than 75,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• Aug. 11: Indiana’s death toll rises above 3,000.
• Aug. 17: Indianapolis Public Schools restarts with online-only classes. News 8 learns the 2021 NBA All-Star Game will not happen on Presidents Day weekend in 2021.
• Aug. 20: Purdue University suspends 36 students after a party at a cooperative house.
• Aug. 21: Indiana high school football season begins with some teams not playing due to COVID-19 concerns.
• Aug. 23: Butler University tells undergraduates that instruction will occur remotely for the first two weeks of the semester, starting Aug. 24, instead of in classrooms.
• Aug. 24: Purdue, Indiana, IUPUI and Ball State universities resume in-person classes.
• Aug. 25: Reports say a fraternity, a sorority and a cooperative house at Purdue University are under quarantines.
• Aug. 26: Gov. Holcomb extends the mask mandate through Sept. 25. Indiana’s rental assistance program will take applications for one last day.
• Aug. 27: Indiana University says eight Greek houses are under 14-day quarantines.
• Sept. 2: Indiana University tells 30 Greek houses in Bloomington to quarantine.
• Sept. 6: Indiana records more than 100,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• Sept. 8: Marion County allows bars and nightclubs to reopen with 25% capacity indoors and 50% capacity outdoors.
• Sept. 12: The Indianapolis Colts open their season with a loss in a Jacksonville stadium with a limited number of fans.
• Sept. 21: The Indianapolis Colts home opener is limited to 2,500 fans.
• Sept. 23: Gov. Eric Holcomb extends the mask mandate through Oct. 17.
• Sept. 24: The state’s mask mandate is extended through Oct. 17.
• Sept. 25: The Mid-American Conference announces it will start a six-game football season Nov. 4, with the championship game Dec. 18 or 19.
• Sept. 26: Indiana advances to a revised Stage 5 of Indiana Back on Track plan with relaxed limits on gatherings, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and more. Marion, Monroe and Tippecanoe counties decided to have more restrictive limits, however.
• Sept. 27: The Indianapolis Colts second home game is limited to 7,500 fans.
• Sept. 28: Purdue University says it’s suspended 14 students, including 13 student-athletes, for violations of a pledge designed to curb the coronavirus pandemic on campus.
• Sept. 30: The Indiana State Department of Health’s online coronavirus dashboard began showing data on positive coronavirus cases in Indiana schools.
• Oct. 1: IU’s website shows two additional fraternities and a sorority at the Bloomington campus have been issued “cease and desist” orders.
• Oct. 2: Franklin College suspends classes and moves to virtual education and activities through Oct. 9 after a “concerning and unusual” increase in the positivity rate for COVID-19.
• Oct. 12: Franklin College returns to in-person classes.
• Oct. 13: Indianapolis-based drugmaker Lilly pauses its trial of a combination antibody treatment for coronavirus for safety reasons.
• Oct. 14: Indiana health commissioner Dr. Kristina Box announces she has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Oct. 15: Gov. Holcomb issues executive order to extend mask mandate and Stage 5 reopening plan.
• Oct. 16: Indiana’s death toll rises above 4,000.
• Oct. 18: The Indianapolis Colts third home game was limited to 12,500 fans.
• Oct. 23: The Big Ten begins its football season.
• Oct. 30: Gov. Holcomb extends the public health emergency through Dec. 1.
• Nov. 1: Indiana National Guard to begin deploying to long-term care facilities to provide coronavirus assistance. The Mid-American Conference football teams begins its six-game regular season.
• Nov. 5: Indiana records more than 200,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• Nov. 8: The Indianapolis Colts fourth home game was limited to 12,500 fans. .
• Nov. 10: Indiana’s death toll rises to 5,000.
• Nov. 12: Indianapolis calls for schools to go to virtual learning by Nov. 30.
• Nov. 15: Indiana adds coronavirus-control restrictions for all businesses and gatherings in counties with the highest number of new cases as part of an update to the statewide COVID-19 pandemic response.
• Nov. 16: Indianapolis limits capacity inside bars, private clubs, fraternal organizations and gyms to 25%; inside restaurants, libraries, funeral homes, swimming pools and shopping malls’ food courts to 50%; and inside religious services to 75%. Marion County Health Department requires preregistration for COVID-19 testing after increased demand at three drive-thru locations.
• Nov. 22: Indiana records more than 300,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• Nov. 23: Indianapolis Public Schools returns to virtual learning through Jan. 18.
• Nov. 24: The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball seasons begin; some games had no fans in the stands.
• Nov. 25: Indiana’s death toll rises above 6,000.
• Nov. 26: Butler University men’s basketball cancels Nov. 29 game against Eastern Illinois after a positive COVID-19 test.
• Nov. 28: Butler University men’s basketball team postponed two more games because of a positive COVID-19 test.
• Dec. 1: Bankers Life Fieldhouse hosts its first NCAA men’s basketball game, Kansas vs. Kentucky, since the start of the pandemic.
• Dec. 2: Indianapolis ends its rental assistance program.
• Dec. 5: The men’s basketball game of No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2, Baylor at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is postponed 90 minutes before tipoff after two Bulldogs test positive.
• Dec. 6: Indiana’s death toll rises above 7,000.
• Dec. 9: Indiana records more than 404,000 positive coronavirus tests. Holcomb says virus restrictions will now by county based on ratings that show the local virus spread. Indiana and Purdue universities cancel the Old Oaken Bucket football game set for Dec. 12.
• Dec. 10: Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston says he tested positive for COVID-19.
• Dec. 11: The Pacers lose to the Cavaliers as the NBA preseason begins. The Carmel Walmart in Westfield closes for nearly two days to sanitize the store.
• Dec. 12: Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns tests positive for the coronavirus.
• Dec. 14: Health care workers receive the first coronavirus vaccinations in Indiana.
• Dec. 15: Vice President Mike Pence holds a roundtable in Bloomington at pharmaceutical maker Catalent on the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Indiana and Purdue again cancel the Old Oaken Bucket football game that’d been reset for Dec. 18.
• Dec. 16: Indiana’s death toll rises above 8,000.
• Dec. 20: The Indianapolis Colts allows up to 10,000 attendees at Lucas Oil Stadium for the team’s game against the Houston Texans.
• Dec. 22: NBA starts league’s 75th season, delayed and shortened to a 72-game schedule because of the pandemic.
• Dec. 23: In response to the high volume of unemployment claims, Holcomb extends the suspension of certain requirements to expedite the hiring and training of temporary workers to more quickly resolve unemployment issues. Indiana Pacers to host first home game against New York Knicks with no fans present.
• Dec. 27: Indiana’s death toll rises above 9,000.
• Dec. 29: Indiana records more than 500,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• Dec. 31: Indiana’s death toll for 2020 is 9,459 (as recorded through March 4, 2021).
• Jan. 1, 2021: Indiana’s death toll rises above 9,500.
• Jan. 3: The Indianapolis Colts allow 10,000 attendees at Lucas Oil Stadium for the team’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Jan. 4: Grades 1-12 schools in Marion County are allowed reopen to in-person learning. Perry Township Schools is the only district to reopen to in-person learning.
• Jan. 5: Purdue and Nebraska postpone a men’s basketball game over health and safety concerns.
• Jan. 7: Indiana’s death toll rises above 10,000.
• Jan. 8: Hoosiers 80 and older start receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
• Jan. 13: Hoosiers 70 and older can get the coronavirus vaccine.
• Jan. 18: NFL announces the scouting combine will not happen in Indianapolis in February.
• Jan. 20: Indiana records more than 601,000 positive coronavirus tests. Indiana Pacers host up to 1,000 at a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the first fans since the pandemic began.
• Jan. 21: Indiana’s death toll rises above 11,000.
• Feb. 1: Hoosiers 65 and older can get the coronavirus vaccine. The Indianapolis St. Patrick’s Day parade is canceled for the second year in a row.
• Feb. 4: More than 1,500 coronavirus deaths were added to the Indiana State Department of Health’s dashboard after an audit found they were not recorded. News 8 learns all games for the Big Ten men’s basketball tourney will move from Chicago to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
• Feb. 7: Indiana to change school protocols for classroom quarantine and contact tracing.
• Feb. 14: Indiana’s death toll rises above 12,000. Indiana records more than 650,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• Feb. 17: Indiana officials announced plans for a $448 million program to give housing assistance to Hoosiers.
• Feb. 19: The NCAA says up to 25% capacity will be allowed for all rounds of the men’s basketball tourney including the Final Four. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announces the May 30 Indianapolis 500 will have fans.
• Feb. 19: Indiana’s death toll rises above 12,100.
• Feb. 23: Hoosiers 60 and older can get the coronavirus vaccine.
• Feb. 25: Indiana records more than 660,000 positive coronavirus tests. Capacity limits at bars, restaurants, gyms, and music venues in Marion County were adjusted after a consistent trend in the community’s COVID-19 positivity rate.
• Feb. 25: Indiana’s death toll rises to 12,200.
• Feb. 28: Indiana National Guardsmen to end assistance to long-term care facilities.
• March 1: The 500 Festival Mini-Marathon says it will be virtual for the second year in a row.
• March 2: Hoosiers 55 and older start receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
• March 3: Hoosiers 50 and older start receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
• March 4: News 8 learns up 8,000 fans will be allowed in Lucas Oil Stadium for Big Ten men’s basketball tournament games. Indiana records more than 665,000 positive coronavirus tests.
• March 5: A three-day, drive-thru, mass-vaccination clinic opens at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for 16,800 Hoosiers.
• March 12: A two-day, drive-thru, mass-vaccination clinic was set for Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg.
• March 18: NCAA men’s March Madness games, all of them at venues in Indiana, to start with First Four games in Bloomington and West Lafayette.
• March 26: A two-day, drive-thru, mass-vaccination clinic was set for Compton Family Ice Arena at the University of Notre Dame.
• March 31: Holcomb’s emergency declaration with county-based restrictions and a mask mandate set to end at 11:59 p.m.
• May 4: Indianapolis Indians set to begin delayed season with away game against Iowa Cubs.