Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the date when the Friday night concert series will resume.

Staff Report

WARSAW — Mayor Joe Thallemer announced the City of Warsaw’s local plans for reopening businesses and public offices during the city’s weekly COVID-19 press conference on Wednesday, May 6.

Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson, Dr. Bill Remington and Jeff Rockett of Parkview Warsaw were in attendance.

Thallemer opened the conference by applauding the local retailers in Warsaw. He mentioned their attention to cleanliness and their implementation of social distancing practices. Thallemer also reiterated the importance of PPE.

“We have got to continue wearing masks,” Thallemer said.

In regards to the five-stage reopening plan put in place by Gov. Eric Holcomb, the mayor also announced his local plans for reopening. Most local businesses will continue to follow the statewide guidelines implemented by Holcomb. The mayor also noted that city hall employees are preparing to come back next week from working at home.

The local plans included dates Thallemer hopes to have different public parks, offices and facilities open back to full strength.

All public buildings will be closed until June 4, along with Mantis Skate Park and other recreational facilities.

The opening of tennis and pickleball courts will happen on May 25. Basketball courts and other parts of parks will remain closed.

Rental Building  Nye Youth Cabin, Fireman’s Building, Center Lake Pavilion, Lucerne Amphitheater and Lucerne Cabin will all open for rental after July 4th with limited capacity.   

The park department’s Friday night concert series will resume on July 10 with social spacing guidelines in place. 

Mayor Thallemer also urged that all business owners, especially those who see large numbers of people, “wait until the very last moment” to open.

Jackson addressed the way county offices will be operating. Employees are expected to come back next week and will be open for appointments on May 18. He urged that people come alone to the different offices to mitigate the spread of any sicknesses.

Remington gave an update on the most recent cases of COVID-19 in the county. Five new cases were reported within the last week, three being symptom-related, and two were non-symptom related. The two non-symptom related cases were most likely found from on-site testing for businesses screening employees before their shifts.

Dr. Remington asked the community “to keep their foot on the gas pedal of mitigating the spread of the virus,” addressing the urgency and importance of wearing a mask in public.

Kosciusko County is expected to have a test site operating as part of the 50 statewide testing sites within the next two weeks.

“Most likely, this test site will be at the armory building by the airport,” Remington said.

Rockett applauded Thallemer’s acceptance and use of the five-stage reopening plan in the county. He attributed this to the high hopes of Parkview Warsaw, and the community to have a smooth reopening. Rockett also mentioned that Parkview Warsaw will continue to have a zero visitor policy in place. Everyone who enters the hospital will be screened and will receive a mask.

Rockett also gave thanks to nurses in our community.

“Nurses are vital, we could not get through this without them,” Rockett said.