ORDER NO. 2021-01 OF THE EAST CHICAGO HEALTH OFFICER, RELATING TO OPERATION
OF BARS AND RESTAURANTS WITHIN THE CITY OF EAST CHICAGO
This ORDER NO. 2021-01 of the EAST CHICAGO HEALTH OFFICER is made effective as of 12:01 A.M.
on February 1, 2021, and shall remain in effect through 11:59 P.M. on February 28, 2021, unless extended by a subsequent order.
WHEREAS, the Governor of Indiana has recently issued Executive Order 21-02, effective from February 1, 2021
through 11:59 P.M. on February 28, 2021 unless extended by a subsequent order; and
WHEREAS, that Executive Order continues the color-coded county-by-county assessment system for
implementation of COVID-19 restrictions on individuals and businesses, and further states, “nothing in this
Executive Order prohibits a county or political subdivision from imposing more stringent requirements than this Executive Order requires;” and
WHEREAS, the East Chicago Department of Public & Environmental Health is a City Health Department pursuant to Ind. Code 16-20-4-4 and 16-20-4-5,
vested with statutory authorities including, but not limited to, the following:
1. The authority to take actions authorized by statute or rule of the state to control communicable diseases,
pursuant to Ind. Code 16-20-4-18 and 16-20-4-19;
2. The authority to forbid public gatherings when necessary to prevent and stop epidemics, pursuant to Ind.
Code 16-20-4-13 and 16-20-1-24;
3. The authority to issue orders for abatement of conditions which transmit, generate, or promote disease,
pursuant to 16-20-4-13 and Ind. Code 16-20-1-25; and
4. The authority to enforce health laws, ordinances, orders, rules, and regulations, pursuant to Ind. Code 16-
20-4-13 and 16-20-1-19; and
WHEREAS, the City of East Chicago continues to observe upward trends in its positivity rate and has maintained
an average in excess of 200 new weekly cases per 100,000 residents over the past four weeks;
The East Chicago Health Officer now ORDERS and ESTABLISHES following requirements for operation of
banquet halls, restaurants, bars, and clubs within the City, which shall remain in effect throughout the duration of
this Order:
1. Social gatherings, including those taking place in private clubs or banquet halls, must be limited in
attendance to 25 or fewer participants. A “social gathering” is defined as an event that brings together multiple
people, individually or from separate households, in a single space (indoors or outdoors) at the same time and in
a coordinated fashion where a significant purpose is to interact with others, including private parties, club meetings, and banquets.
2. Bars and nightclubs, including hookah bars, cigar bars, and gentlemen’s and ladies’ clubs, must
lower capacity to 25% indoors. Restaurants and retail food establishments may remain open at 50% capacity indoors.
ALL BARS, RESTAURANTS, AND NIGHTCLUBS operating while this Order is in effect must adhere to the following restrictions:
a. All establishments must be closed and cleared of all customers between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM nightly.
b. All patrons or parties must be at least six feet away from people at other tables and people from other households, with no more than six people at any table.
c. Table service is required for indoor dining or drink service; customers must remain seated at tables and may not be allowed to congregate in open areas.
d. Bar patrons must be seated at tables, and may not be seated at the bar.
e. No self-service is permitted at buffets or salad bars.
Section 10(b) of the Governor’s Executive Order 21-02, effective through at least 11:59 P.M. on February 28,
2021, authorizes a City Health Department such as the East Chicago Department of Public & Environmental
Health to take the following incremental enforcement actions against businesses or entities failing to comply with
restrictions and public health requirements:
i) The Health Department will issue a verbal order for the business to cease its unsafe practices;
ii) If the business fails to comply, the Health Department will issue an order to cease unsafe practices;
iii) If the business continues operation in an unsafe manner despite an order to cease and unsafe practices,
the Health Department will issue an order to close the business;
iv) If an order to close the business is issued, the business will be reported to the Secretary of State and to
any relevant licensing, permitting, or certifying board, commission or other entity for consideration of
revocation proceedings; and
v) If an order to close the business is issued, the matter will be referred to law enforcement and/or the local Prosecuting Attorney.
The East Chicago Department of Public & Environmental Health is actively taking steps to enforce these restrictions within the City of East Chicago. Bar, club, and restaurant owners should govern themselves accordingly.
SO ORDERED THIS 4 DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2021.
_____________________________________
DR. PAULA BENCHIK-ABRINKO
HEALTH OFFICER, CITY OF EAST CHICAGO