Gov. Eric Holcomb addresses the state in a speech Tuesday afternoon, March 23. Photo provided.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Tuesday that the statewide mask mandate will be reduced to an advisory beginning April 6.

In a broadcast made on Tuesday evening, he also announced Indiana will expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines to all Hoosiers 16 and older beginning on March 31.

Current COVID-19 restrictions will remain in force until April 5, in part, because of the many visitors in Indiana for March Madness.

At the same time, he also extended the existing state health emergency to the end of April. He said the move will allow for quick action if circumstances worsen and said doing so gives the state access to hundreds of millions in federal funds.

Holcomb said masks will still be required in state buildings and in COVID-19 testing and vaccination operations until further notice.

K-12 schools will continue under current the mask requirement through the remainder of the current school year, he said.

Also starting April 6, all decisions on venue capacity will be in the hands of local officials, he said.

Local governments and businesses may impose more stringent guidelines including mask mandates in their facilities.

“They retain the authority to make decisions about COVID restrictions for their operations and should be afforded the respect of compliance,” Holcomb said.

He also urged everyone to continue taking precautions around elderly and susceptible people.

“When I visit my favorite restaurants or conduct a public event, I will continue to appropriately wear a mask. It’s the right thing to do,” he said.