Thread by @GovHolcomb

I took actions to protect & support Hoosiers during the #COVID19 outbreak by signing executive orders that extend the closure of schools, provide economic relief & protections for individuals & businesses, & expand unemployment insurance benefits for those impacted by job loss.

Every day we learn more about how to tackle this monster. We are being thoughtful about how to approach every action we are taking in this national public health emergency and putting Hoosiers’ health and safety first.

Daily #COVID19 testing capacity in Indiana has expanded with the addition of a new partnership between the @StateHealthIN and @LillyPad, and at least one other entity has initiated testing this week. In the past 24 hours, about 200 tests have been completed.

The Executive Orders, which contain additional actions, will be found at this link: in.gov/gov/2384.htm.

Here is a summary of covered actions:

➡️ I will extend the current state of emergency an additional 30 days when it expires on April 5.

➡️ All K-12 public schools will remain closed until May 1. Non-public schools are also ordered closed.

➡️ All-state mandated assessments will be canceled for this academic year.

➡️ Indiana will align w/ the federal government to delay state income tax payments from April 15 to July 15.

➡️ Penalties will be waived for 60 days for property tax paid after May 11. The state will work w/ counties that may experience cash flow stress because of the delay.

➡️ The state will not immediately move forward w/ using $300 million in reserves to pay for several capital projects approved in the just-concluded legislative session & instead maintain flexibility to utilize the funds as needed for relief efforts & to maintain current services.

➡️ Providers of essential utility services such as gas and electric, broadband, telecom, water and wastewater services are prohibited from discontinuing service to any customer during the public health emergency.

➡️ The state’s application to the @SBAgov was approved on Wednesday. This program provides targeted, low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help small businesses and nonprofits overcome the temporary loss of revenue as a result of #coronavirus. SBA.gov/Disaster.

➡️ The state will interpret Indiana’s unemployment laws to the broadest extent possible to cover Hoosiers who are out of work because of #COVID19.

➡️ Benefits will be paid to individuals who file their initial unemployment claims late.

➡️ @WorkforceIND will allow individuals to continue to accrue unemployment eligibility if they take work leave because of #COVID19.

➡️ @WorkforceIND will seek federal authorization to provide unemployment benefits for those who are not otherwise eligible for unemployment.

➡️ For employers, @WorkforceIND will not assess certain experience rate penalties because of employees who receive unemployment benefits because of #COVID19.

➡️ No residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions may be initiated during the public health emergency. This does not relieve the individual of obligations to pay rent or mortgage payments.

➡️ All public housing authorities are requested to extend deadlines for housing assistance recipients and required documentation to show eligibility for housing programs.

➡️ The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions and Indiana Community Housing Development Authority are required to work with financial institutions to identify tools to help promote housing stability.

➡️ Participants in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are not required to make premium payments.

➡️ Job search requirements are waived for those applying for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

➡️ @FSSAIndiana will seek a federal waiver to extend renewals for existing Medicaid and HIP recipients.

➡️ Telehealth services for mental health, substance use disorder and prescribing for Medicaid covered services will be expanded.

➡️ The commissioner of the @INDeptInsurance will request that insurers institute a 60-day moratorium on policy cancellations for non-payment of premiums. This does not suspend a policyholder’s obligation to make payments.

➡️ The commissioner will ask health insurers to cover #COVID19 testing without requiring prior authorization.

➡️ The commissioner will request that health insurers not increase prices or coverage costs that involve medical care for #COVID19.

➡️To limit the number of in-branch @INBMV transactions, late fees will be waived for several driver’s licenses and identification card renewals, vehicle registrations, titles, and certain other transactions.

➡️Other operational changes in branches are being instituted to provide for the safety of employees and customers in branches, such as spacing between terminals and limiting the number of customers in the lobby.

➡️ Requirements have been relaxed for veterans to qualify for awards from the Military Family Relief Fund.

➡️ Awards in excess of $2,500 may be approved by the IDVA director during the public health emergency.

➡️ Mental health professionals are permitted to practice via telemedicine.

➡️ Advance Practice Registered Nurses are allowed to provide services in multiple locations.

➡️ The state health commissioner may waive requirements of the nursing home certificate of need statute to respond to #COVID19 issues for long-term care facilities.

Click here to watch the full press conference:

More information may be found at the ISDH website at in.gov/coronavirus/ and the CDC website at cdc.gov/coronavirus/20….