Event Organizers Worried About New Restrictions

We are 24 hours into new restriction --- in the hoosier state.

Governor eric holcomb voided stage five of the reopening plan in favor off stricter limitations -- that took effect sunday.

44news reporter marisa patwa is in evansville with more on what this means for our counties.

Indiana business owners biggest fears are coming true just as the holiday season begins with new restrictions across hoosier counties now in effect -- downsizing social gatherings once again.

"it's devastating for any business -- especially health and business clubs."

And the severeness of the crowd limitations are based on which color zone each county is in colors range from blue to yellow to orange to red --- depending on the least severe to most severe spread.

In vanderburgh -- the current color is orange -- which means events are capped at fifty people -- unless other wise approved by the health department leaving many straddling between following recommendation s and trying to make money "at tri-state, we're taking every step necessary to keep our members and staff safe.

But i think that as long as everyone can follow the guidelines and take this seriously -- because this is not something that as going to go away."

The state wide executive order also overrides evansville mayor lloyd winnecke order which actually allowed for events with up to one hundred twenty five people as long as they were approved and even that higher number was already tough on event organizers.

"we've already canceled so many -- it's not going to be anything new.

But we're still hopeful and we feel like the community still wants to participate and so we'll find a way."

But with the new restrictions starting just as evansville wings week kicks off -- the restaurant fundraiser is not likely to see as many attendees as years past.

"the good news about this event is that it's in various locations -- so if we have 1,000 people participating -- which we probably will - they are spread out -- so it's not necessarily like bringing people to one area or to one confined area so it's really up to the restaurants to enforce any mandate.'

While those who are taking safety precautions seriously ask fellow citizens to think twice before going to the bar maskless "this year is much different than years past.

And that everybody has to make some changes.

It's not exactly what you might want to do but it's what has to happen."

Holcomb's executive order lasts until saturday december 12th.

Reporting in evansville marisa patwa 44news