LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Several Indiana businesses opened on Monday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to close several weeks ago.
Jewelry stores are just one type of business Gov. Eric Holcomb has allowed to re-open. Benton Fine Jewelry in Jeffersonville opened its doors Monday morning for the first time since March.
Jim Benton, the president of Benton Fine Jewelry, said Monday brought a welcome sigh of relief, now that his jewelry is once again open.
"I feel for the people who can't -- a lot of the small businesses that can't survive, and the employees that had to be let go and stuff," Benton said. "But yeah, we're going to make it and hopefully start back on the right foot."
New Albany women's clothing boutique, Dress and Dwell, plans to open Tuesday.
"We will reopen tomorrow, May 5, and we will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow with the first hour of the store being for high-risk customers," Dress and Dwell Social Media Manager, Carly Stevens said. "Everything will be sanitized and ready to go. We'll be providing face masks to all of our employees, we'll be shutting down a few of our fitting rooms. That way we can still comply with social distancing rules."
Gov. Holcomb's second phase of re-opening, which began May 4, mandates that some Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches also reopen across the state. The branch in a shopping center off Lewis & Clark Parkway across from the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville was open Monday, but by appointment only. All BMV workers are wearing gloves and masks.
Public libraries were also allowed to open Monday, as well as retail and commercial businesses like apparel, furniture, and jewelry stores that had previously been operating with only curbside or delivery service. Those stores, however, are only allowed to open at 50 percent capacity.
In Indiana, shopping malls are also able to open starting Monday. However, a sign posted on the door of the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville says it won't open until Wednesday.
Holcomb says social gatherings of up to 25 people and non essential travel are also allowed, as long social distancing is followed.
Restaurants are not able to open until May 11, and they're being directed to operate at 50 percent capacity until further notice.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he thinks Indiana is taking some steps too fast, and some people in Kentucky worry about the impact of having restrictions lifted just a river away.
"We have businesses workers and families that do not view the ohio river as ... a line that would divide how we employ, how we work, how we operate," said Iris Wilbur, vice president of government affairs at Greater Louisville Inc., the local chamber of commerce.
Holcomb said his decision is based on input from health experts who have been looking at COVID-19 data for the last two months. He also said that he gave communities the option of taking a more cautious approach.
we have businesses workers and families who do not view the ohio river as a line that would divide how we operate.
Related:
- Indiana governor unveils gradual return-to-normal by July 4 as new COVID-19 cases rise
- Louisville mayor says Indiana reopening plan 'could be a problem'
- Southern Indiana restaurants prepare to open at half capacity
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