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Unclear How Indiana Will Enforce Stay-At-Home Order, Goes Into Effect At Midnight

Gov. Eric Holcomb, second from left, and other officials give updates on the state's COVID-19 response.
Gov. Eric Holcomb, second from left, and other officials give updates on the state's COVID-19 response.

A statewide order for Hoosiers to stay at home unless conducting essential business goes into effect at midnight.

But it’s unclear how that order will be enforced.

Gov. Eric Holcomb says his stay-at-home order is not meant to be a “hammer” but to emphasize the need to socially distance and self-isolate, thus curbing the spread of COVID-19.

“[The police] are not going to be pulling people over going to and from work," Holcomb says. "If we get into a situation where someone is flaunting, we’ll have to address that on a case-by-case basis.”

LEE MAS: ¿Qué Necesita Saber Acerca Del Coronavirus? Tenemos Respuestas.

READ MORE:  Can I Go For A Walk? Here's What A 'Stay-At-Home' Order Really Does

The state has a hotline for businesses to ask questions about the stay-at-home order. But that’s not meant for employees – even those, Holcomb says, who think they and their company should temporarily close under the order.

“And so first, go to your employer … show them what you know, if there’s some misunderstanding," Holcomb says. "And if that doesn’t work then we do need to know about it. And we’re going to help try to resolve it, as well.”

But Holcomb didn’t indicate how people should report such a situation.

The stay-at-home hotline for Hoosier businesses is 877-820-0890 or email at  covidresponse@iedc.in.gov.

A list of what are considered "essential" businesses under the order is here.

Contact Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page  here

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  or the  Indiana State Department of Health  for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.