INDIANAPOLIS – With the Center for Disease Control, President Joe Biden and governors of many states across the country lifting face mask requirements for citizens that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, there was hope that Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett would ease the mask mandate for Marion County before the 105th Indianapolis 500 on May 30.
But those hopes were quickly dashed when the mayor announced on Wednesday that he would lift its mask mandate for fully vaccinated residents as of June 7. The City-County Council will have to vote on those changes later Wednesday night.
“That’s another two-and-a-half weeks’ worth of shots in arms,” Hogsett said at a press conference Wednesday.
It also means that fans attending the 105th Indianapolis 500 at the end of May must remain fully masked at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as at high school and college graduation ceremonies.
When it comes to mask enforcement, the city won’t be checking vaccination cards.
The mask mandate will lift for fully vaccinated people — defined as those whose final shot occurred at least two weeks ago. But the city will not police whether people who are barefaced in public have actually been vaccinated, said Dr. Virginia Caine, Marion County public health director.
“I think we’re going to try to rely on the honor system,” she said.
The June 7 date, however, was not a popular decision by some of the drivers in Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as they continued practice for the 105th Indy 500. One estimated that if the mask mandate had been lifted, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway could have increased its seating capacity by selling more tickets to the race.
Currently, the Speedway is limiting the crowd to 40 percent of the total capacity, between 135,000 to 141,000 fans. That was announced on April 21.
Some places, such as Chicago, Ill., and New York state, have decided to lift their mask mandates now in light of the new guidelines.
With the new guidelines, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway could have conceivably allowed more spectators to attend this year’s Indy 500. But with Hogsett’s announcement, all of the restrictions will remain in place.
One source told SPEED SPORT that decision could have cost IMS $5 million in additional revenue.
“I’m just here because I want to say something about the mayor,” owner/driver Ed Carpenter quipped when he arrived for a post-practice media availability on Wednesday. “I don’t know, I thought we were following CDC guidelines (by not having to wear the mask once fully vaccinated). I guess that’s all I’ll say.”
Scott Dixon asked, “Didn’t the President say you don’t have to wear one?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know,” Carpenter responded. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
“I don’t know,” Dixon said. “I get confused.”
“It is confusing,” Carpenter responded.
“There’s lots of people with authority,” Dixon said.
All the while, Conor Daly was laughing. He has expressed that he is not a fan of the Mayor of Indianapolis.
“All joking aside, and me taking jabs, I’m super excited that we do have the ability to have the fans here, it’s great having fans in the garage area with us,” Carpenter said. “It’s nice to get to know people over the years and it’s great to see that they are still with us.”
For now, fans will continue to have to wear masks while at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, except when eating and drinking. That policy will be in place through the May 30 Indianapolis 500.