Garage Sales Can Begin If They Follow State’s Retail Rules
May 6, 2020 at 12:28 a.m.
Garage Sales Can Begin If They Follow State’s Retail Rules
By David [email protected]
The COVID-19 pandemic and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order have thrown monkey wrenches into those plans for many, even with Holcomb on Friday announcing the five-stage process to reopen the state by July 4.
So when can people begin to have garage and/or yard sales? If the person hosting one follows the retail guidelines put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be held now, according to the state.
The question was posed Monday to Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and the Kosciusko County Health Department separately, with Thallemer calling the governor’s office Monday night for an answer.
Nichole LaLonde, epidemiologist with the Kosciusko County Health Department, said she collaborated with Kosciusko County Public Health Officer Dr. William Remington on an answer about when garage and yard sales can be held.
In an email, LaLonde said, “Considering playgrounds, campgrounds and other outdoor community facilities can open in Phase 3 (May 24), that would be a great time to also include garage sales. Phase 3 also eases concern of shared equipment, which would also be applicable to garage sales.”
She said the most important consideration when allowing garage sales would be to continue to promote Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations such as wearing a mask, keeping physical distance and sanitizing regularly.
Thallemer said he spoke with Andrew Forrester, director of intergovernmental affairs at the Office of the Governor, who said the question of garage and yard sales has been asked numerous times and been posed to legal counsel. Their view is that garage sales are the same as retail so they are allowed under the same conditions as retail. They do ask that anyone having a garage or yard sale wear a mask, keep social distancing, wipe things down if at all possible and follow all the recommended safety precautions.
Under Holcomb’s five stages, retail is allowed to reopen May 4-23 at 50% capacity. That increases to 75% capacity in Stage 3 (May 24 to June 13) and fully open with social distancing in Stages 4 (June 14-Juy 3) and 5 (July 4 and beyond), barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Latest News
E-Editions
The COVID-19 pandemic and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order have thrown monkey wrenches into those plans for many, even with Holcomb on Friday announcing the five-stage process to reopen the state by July 4.
So when can people begin to have garage and/or yard sales? If the person hosting one follows the retail guidelines put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be held now, according to the state.
The question was posed Monday to Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and the Kosciusko County Health Department separately, with Thallemer calling the governor’s office Monday night for an answer.
Nichole LaLonde, epidemiologist with the Kosciusko County Health Department, said she collaborated with Kosciusko County Public Health Officer Dr. William Remington on an answer about when garage and yard sales can be held.
In an email, LaLonde said, “Considering playgrounds, campgrounds and other outdoor community facilities can open in Phase 3 (May 24), that would be a great time to also include garage sales. Phase 3 also eases concern of shared equipment, which would also be applicable to garage sales.”
She said the most important consideration when allowing garage sales would be to continue to promote Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations such as wearing a mask, keeping physical distance and sanitizing regularly.
Thallemer said he spoke with Andrew Forrester, director of intergovernmental affairs at the Office of the Governor, who said the question of garage and yard sales has been asked numerous times and been posed to legal counsel. Their view is that garage sales are the same as retail so they are allowed under the same conditions as retail. They do ask that anyone having a garage or yard sale wear a mask, keep social distancing, wipe things down if at all possible and follow all the recommended safety precautions.
Under Holcomb’s five stages, retail is allowed to reopen May 4-23 at 50% capacity. That increases to 75% capacity in Stage 3 (May 24 to June 13) and fully open with social distancing in Stages 4 (June 14-Juy 3) and 5 (July 4 and beyond), barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092