Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office And The Evansville Police Department COVID-19 Travel And Business Restrictions
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and the Evansville Police Department have published this release in order to clarify our local law enforcement response to the Governor’s Office COVID-19 pandemic travel and business restrictions.
Sheriff’s deputies and police officers have been ordered to focus on protecting citizens and local businesses from those few members of our community who might be thinking this pandemic represents an opportunity to commit the crime. Anyone bold enough to take advantage of our citizens and business owners during this crisis will soon be sheltering in place at the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Both Sheriff Dave Wedding and Chief Billy Bolin recognize the impact the Governor’s executive orders will have on the daily lives of our residents and business owners. The orders will impact our ability to travel, attend gatherings, conduct business and enjoy leisure and fitness activities.
We ask everyone in the community to abide by the restrictions that go into effect at midnight tonight. Under Indiana Code 10-14-3-34, a person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly violates a state of emergency order commits a Class B Misdemeanor. Our sheriff’s deputies and police officers DO NOT want to cite anyone for violating the emergency order. We seek voluntary compliance through open dialogue and education. WE MUST protect our at-risk populations from infection so that we can give our hard-working medical service providers the space they need to function at their best.
We do not yet know the full extent to which COVID-19 will impact our community. This is why following the instructions of the Governor’s Office and the Health Department is absolutely critical. Please listen to and follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concerning hand washing and social distancing. Don’t share Facebook posts from non-official sources concerning the COVID-19 virus. Don’t subscribe to or promote conspiracy theories designed only to promote fear and mistrust.
Please remember to check in on our elderly and sick neighbors, while still maintaining social distance. Stay home unless you must travel to work at an essential business or to obtain food, supplies, and medications. Making a good faith effort to follow the Governor’s orders now may give our community the best chance of avoiding the imposition of prolonged restrictions.
Travel and Business Restrictions
We realize many members of the public have questions regarding the Travel and Business Restrictions that take effect on March 25, 2020. On March 23, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a series of executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive order #20-08 restricts business activity and public gatherings between March 25, 2020 and April 06, 2020. The most relevant orders are summarized below. A complete listing of all executive orders and their prohibitions can be found here: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm
Executive Order 20-08
ï‚· To the extent possible, individuals outside their homes must at all times maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet (excluding family and household members).
ï‚· Public gatherings of more than ten (10) people are prohibited.
-   All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including, but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, playgrounds, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, and country clubs or social clubs, shall be closed.
- ï‚· Â All non-essential businesses are ordered closed (with the exception of the minimum level of staff necessary to facilitate telework and/or preserve the physical plant).
- ï‚· Â All non-essential travel is prohibited. Travel is only permitted for the following reasons:
o Obtaining medical care and supplies for individuals and pets. o Obtaining groceries, food and supplies.
o Outdoor activity such as walking, hiking, running and bicycling.
o Travel to work at essential businesses, government offices, healthcare providers, human services providers and infrastructure support.
o Court-ordered travel for child custody.
o Interstate travel for non-residents leaving the state and return travel for residents. o Obtaining educational materials or meals from an educational institution.
o To care for a family member, friend or pet.
Essential Businesses
An essential business may remain open during the state of emergency. A complete list of essential businesses can be
found here https://coronavirus.in.gov/2496.htm.
Expiration of State issued identification cards, driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, renewals and firearms licenses. Executive Order 20-09
- ï‚· Â The expiration of any state agency-issued license, certification or permit which has expired during, or is set to expire during this public health emergency shall be extended automatically to Friday, May 22, 2020.
- ï‚· Â If you already had an expired license or registration prior to this public health emergency, we will still take the appropriate enforcement action. You are only exempt if the permit expired during the public health emergency.Hotline Assistance for Business and IndustryThe Critical Industries Hotline is available to help guide businesses and industries with the executive order. This center is reachable by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing covidresponse@iedc.in.gov. This is for business and industry questions only.
Restaurants & Bars Executive Order 20-04
ï‚· All bars, nightclubs, and restaurants closed to in-person patrons (take-out and delivery allowed). Executive Order 20-10
- ï‚· Â Directs the Indiana State Department of Health and local boards of health to take all available administrative and enforcement actions against establishments that provide in-dining services.
- ï‚· Â Directs the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to enforce issues with establishments permitting in-person dining and holding alcohol beverage permits.
 These complaints will not be handled by either The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office or The Evansville Police Department.
