INDIANAPOLIS -- Governor Eric Holcomb says he is working "around the clock" on a plan to reopen the state.
He'll announce it Friday afternoon, just hours before the state's current stay-at-home order expires. At his Tuesday media briefing, Holcomb said the plan would reflect a new normal for Indiana. "And we will build into that all of the new ways that we just must safely live, work and play, so that we can continue this progress." said Holcomb.
"This could be with us for a year," the governor said, referring to COVID-19. "It is how we manage our way through this and keep that curve flat enough so that out healthcare system can care for those folks who are in need," he said.
Holcomb defended his administration against protesters who have been critical of the restrictions imposed on the public, restrictions he said that are constitutional.
As for schools and colleges, Holcomb said those plans will be issued in mid-May. While Purdue President Mitch Daniels has called for classes to resume in West Lafayette this fall, Indiana University said it would come up with its own plan.
The state reported 650 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, for a total of 16,588. The number of virus-related deaths rose to 901.
