Indianapolis keeps mask mandate, business health restrictions despite new legislation – By Amelia Pak-Harvey (Indianapolis Star) / May 10 2021
Indianapolis city officials moved quickly to keep the current Marion County public health orders in place Monday night, just hours after legislators voted to void all local coronavirus restrictions.
The new legislation, Senate Bill 5, requires local health departments to get approval from the local legislative bodies and mayors if a city seeks to enact health orders that are more strict than statewide restrictions.
The health board or health officer also cannot file a court action to enforce a health order unless it receives approval from the legislative body, such as the City-County Council.
Earlier: Lawmakers void all local COVID-19 restrictions with override of Holcomb’s veto
The vote effectively terminated Marion County’s public health orders — but only briefly, as councilors voted 19-5 to approve all existing health orders for this year. Mayor Joe Hogsett was expected to also approve the orders, his office said Monday night.
