Thread by @EricBermanIN

.@IndyMayorJoe: Indianapolis will relax local #coronaviruslockdown on Friday, 3 days ahead of schedule. He says "the sacrifices [residents] have made continue to save lives," even as the city mourns those who have died.

Hogsett says first step toward reopening Indy won't go as far as the statewide first step which began on Monday in 88 counties.

Friday: mass gatherings in Indy of up to 25 people (up from 10), as state has done. But unlike state order, religious services remain subject to cap.

Nonessential businesses, including malls, can reopen, with limits on capacity.

Next Friday, May 22, Indy will allow outdoor seating for dine-in restaurant service, but with #socialdistancing, and #PPE for workers, required. No indoor dining.

Nonessential manufacturing, and personal services (barbers/nail salons/etc) remain closed in Indy.

Hogsett says he hopes to lift those limits on June 1, though by that time, state hopes to have moved to "Stage 3" with further loosening of restrictions.

City is also creating $5M grant fund to reimburse small businesses up to $5K for cost of buying #PPE.

City will expedite permits for restaurants to add outdoor seating, and may close roads to help.

Hogsett: no timeline yet for implementing city equivalent of state's Stages 3 through 5. He urges businesses to consult state's #backontrack plan for guidance, and hopes to give more details next week on city's plans.

.@Marion_Health director Virginia Caine says county has seen declines in number and rate of #coronavirus cases, and in number of EMS runs, deaths, and hospitalizations.

Caine: still more cases, but expanded testing means the increase is largely "background cases" which otherwise might go unnoticed. Hospitalizations, which never go unnoticed, are down.

Caine: over last month, % of positive tests has dropped from nearly 50% to just over 30%.

Caine: 206 open surgical beds; "we're very comfortable" with ability to handle a second surge. And expanded testing allows county to identify carriers and trace at least 3/4 of contacts.

Caine: "We have to continue to be vigilant." Hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, social distancing.

Caine: @indylibrary not reopening yet but will begin offering curbside pickup of items.

Caine: health dept will continue to monitor benchmarks, and city could reimpose restrictions if things go bad. But she says the trend of those benchmarks is very encouraging.

Hogsett: "I'm sure there will be people who think we're moving too slowly, and people who think we're moving too fast. These decisions are data-driven. We're not basing this on public opinion; we're basing it on public health."

Hogsett: too early to tell whether restrictions can be loosened enough to run #Brickyard400 on schedule on #4thofjulyweekend. He says he's been in contact with @IMS, and says they're looking at "many, many different scenarios."

Hogsett: while protests of Sean Reed shooting are constitutionally protected, "it's a concern" that those demonstrations haven't followed mask/#socialdistancing rules. "I'm hopeful that they will be thoughtful in that regard."

Hogsett chief of staff @thomascarlcook: there are enforcement options for businesses who defy restrictions, but focus is on communication, not punitive steps.

Caine: city has met with county's school superintendents to discuss whether/how schools reopen next fall, but too soon to tell what will happen there.