Schools, Economy, Unemployment Insurance Changes Announced

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb took additional unprecedented actions today to protect and support Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak by signing executive orders that extend the closure of schools, provide economic relief and protections for individuals and businesses, and 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,” said Gov. Holcomb.

Daily COVID-19 testing capacity in Indiana has expanded with the addition of a new partnership between the Indiana State Department of Health and Eli Lilly and Company, and at least one other entity has initiated testing this week. In the past 24 hours, about 200 tests have been completed.

“As we increase the number of tests analyzed each day, no one should be caught off guard that the number of positive cases will increase,” said Dr. Kris Box, state health commissioner. “This will help us know where community spread is occurring in Indiana and help us mobilize resources in affected areas.”

Here is a summary of the covered actions. The Executive Orders, which contain additional actions, will be found at this link: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

State of Emergency Extension

• The Governor will extend the current state of emergency an additional 30 days when it expires on April 5.

K-12 schools

• All K-12 public schools will remain closed until May 1. Non-public schools are also ordered closed. This date may be revised to extend through the end of the 2019-2020 school year if circumstances warrant.
• All-state mandated assessments will be canceled for the current academic year. The governor has contacted U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to share the state’s plan and also has asked the Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick to pursue any federal waivers needed to cancel the requirements for accountability, chronic absenteeism, and state-mandated assessments.

Economy

• The state of Indiana will align with the federal government to delay state income tax payments from April 15 to July 15. The U.S. Treasury extended the deadline to pay federal income tax by 90 days.
• Penalties will be waived for 60 days for property tax paid after May 11. The state will work with counties that may experience cash flow stress because of the delay.
• The state will not immediately move forward with using $300 million in reserves to pay for several capital projects approved in the just-concluded legislative session and instead maintain the flexibility to utilize the funds as needed for relief efforts and to maintain current services. The state will consider using bonding authority to move forward with the just-approved capital projects.
• 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 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 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. See more at SBA.gov/Disaster.

 Unemployment Insurance Benefits

• The state will interpret Indiana’s unemployment laws to the broadest extent possible to cover Hoosiers who are out of work because of COVID-19.
• Benefits will be paid to individuals who file their initial unemployment claims late.
• The Department of Workforce Development will allow individuals to continue to accrue unemployment eligibility if they take work leave because of COVID-19.
• DWD will seek federal authorization to provide unemployment benefits for those who are not otherwise eligible for unemployment, such individuals who have recently started a job.
• For employers, DWD will not assess certain experience rate penalties because of employees who receive unemployment benefits because of COVID-19.

Housing

• 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 the Indiana Community Housing Development Authority are required to work with financial institutions to identify tools to help promote housing stability.

Social Services

• 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.
• The Family and Social Services Administration 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.

Insurance

• The commissioner of the state Department of Insurance 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 COVID-19 testing without requiring prior authorization.
• The commissioner will request that health insurers not increase prices or coverage costs that involve medical care for COVID-19.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

• To limit the number of in-branch 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.

Veterans

• 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.

Health and Professional Licensing

• Mental health professionals are permitted to practice via telemedicine.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are allowed to provide services in multiple locations.
• The state health commissioner may waive the requirements of the nursing home certificate of need statute to respond to COVID-19 issues for long-term care facilities.

 More information may be found at the ISDH website at in.gov/coronavirus/ and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana State Veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health released the following information regarding pets and Covid-19

In the midst of all the life disruptions generated by Covid-19, I want to offer some guidance to pet owners who have/may have been exposed to coronavirus.

While much is still unknown about this virus, no evidence indicates that companion animals, including pets, can get sick from or spread Covid-19. 

However, because we are still learning about this virus, we recommend that pets that have been in contact with Covid-19 patients should also remain in the home during the isolation period. 

I hope these guidelines will help you understand how to care for your pet if you and your family are faced with quarantine. 

Restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with Covid-19, just like you would around other people.

Designate someone in the household who is not ill to feed, water, and care for pets, if possible. 

If not, wash your hands thoroughly before and after feeding and handling pets. 

People who are sick with Covid-19 should avoid direct contact with pets including petting, snuggling, kissing, being licked, and sharing food. 

Pets should remain in the home and care for at home as much as possible.

Prevent interaction with other animals and people outside the home (such as walking the dog) Do not take pets to a dog park, pet supply stores or boarding kennels. 

If your pet requires veterinary care, contact your veterinarian ahead of time for guidance. Follow your veterinarian’s guidance before taking your pet to the clinic.

Service animals should remain with their handlers throughout the isolation period. 

One more word of guidance. If you are unable to continue to care for your pet while ill, seek help from family, friends, or neighbors. 

To be clear; No evidence suggests that companion animals will spread the disease. 

We recommend pets be thoroughly bathed when transferring to another caretaker. This step should remove any virus particles that are present on the coat. 

We are hopeful that following these and other recommended public health measures will keep everyone healthy during this pandemic.

Beginning today (Thursday, March 19), Walmart stores across the nation will open at 7a and close at 8:30p to continue stocking and cleaning their stores. 

All associates will continue to work their normally scheduled shifts and hours.

Walmart will temporarily shut down the Auto Care Centers to allow those associates to focus on stocking and cleaning in the rest of the store

Walmart will initiate special shopping times for seniors beginning March 24.

From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older.

This will start one hour before the store opens. Walmart’s Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time.

The stores have limits for customers in certain categories including paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food.

Below is the full press release from Walmart — 

Our associates have been nothing short of heroic in their commitment to serve customers, stock shelves as quickly as possible and keep their stores clean. When their communities needed them the most, our people have been at their best. Their efforts continue to be a tremendous source of pride for everyone at Walmart.

Over the weekend we adjusted our operating hours to help make it easier for associates to stock and perform enhanced cleaning and sanitizing. We’re pleased with the results we are seeing and will take additional steps beginning Thursday, March 19.

Store Operating Hours

• Walmart U.S. stores will adjust operating hours to 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stores that open later than 7 a.m. will continue their regular starting hours. This will further help associates restock the shelves for customers while continuing to clean and sanitize the store. While the store hours change for customers, our associates will continue to have access to their regular scheduled shifts and full hours.

Special Shopping Hours

• We know our older customers could be more vulnerable to the coronavirus and to better support them, Walmart is offering special shopping hours. From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Our Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time.

Item Limitations

• We know communities are counting on us more than ever and we are determined to serve the broadest number of customers and ensure they have access to the key items they are looking for. Our stores will have limits for customers in certain categories including paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula and baby food.

Essential Services

• Our people are working hard to have every part of the store ready to serve customers. To help support our people and focus on the most critical areas of the store right now, we will temporarily shut down our Auto Care Centers to allow those associates to focus on stocking and cleaning in the rest of the store.

• Also, our Vision Centers will operate on their normal schedule, providing essential services only such as glasses repair and helping customers pick up existing orders. We will have at least one associate to serve the needs of our Vision Care customers, while the other associates will help in the rest of the store.

I think every one of us has had to adjust our daily routines in some way, and it’s likely that could continue. We are paying very close attention to our stores and communities and will continue making the necessary changes to help make sure our associates are taken care of and that our customers can get what they need. Let’s all take care of each other out there.

Right lane closure starts Saturday afternoon, remains through early Friday

Bridge approach and pavement repairs initially scheduled in late January on I-65 SB at Lodge Creek in Clark County have been rescheduled to begin this weekend. The work has been delayed multiple times due to weather.

At approximately 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon (March 21), the right lane of I-65 SB will close north of Memphis (near MM 18). The closure will remain in place through early Friday (March 27) while crews remove and replace the existing bridge approaches and complete pavement repairs.

Message boards will be in place to alert drivers of the lane closure.

Motorists should slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. Traffic queues are likely at this location. Drivers are encouraged to seek an alternate route or allow extra time when traveling through the area. All work is weather dependent.

Attorney General Curtis Hill today urged Hoosiers who believe they have been subjected to excessive prices for consumer goods during the coronavirus pandemic to file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

While specific price-gouging authority in Indiana law refers to fuel prices during a state of emergency, the Office of the Attorney General has the authority to enforce the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, which permits appropriate enforcement of any unfair, abusive, deceptive or unconscionable conduct. In an executive order issued Monday, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Hoosiers who believe they’ve been subjected to excessive prices for consumer goods should contact the Attorney General’s Office.

In accordance with the executive order and the authority of the Office within Indiana law, the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is accepting complaints related to excessive prices for all consumer goods. 

To submit a price-gouging complaint, the Office is encouraging Hoosiers to utilize the online consumer complaint form, which can be found at www.indianaconsumer.com, click on “File a Complaint”. If you have questions about the types of complaints handled by the Consumer Protection Division, you may call the Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-382-5516 or 317-232-6330.

For more information about the coronavirus outbreak, please contact the Indiana State Department of Health at 877-826-0011, or go online to www.in.gov/coronavirus/.

All DNR Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) shooting ranges, excluding the one at Tri-County FWA, will resume normal operating hours beginning tomorrow, March 19. 

All FWA ranges closed today, March 18, as staff takes extra precautions to sanitize facilities amid coronavirus concerns.

Tri-County FWA will remain closed until at least March 24. 

The DNR wants to provide Hoosiers with outdoor activities they can do amid concerns about the coronavirus and is doing its best to ensure the safest possible environment for visitors to FWAs.

For more information on DNR shooting ranges, see on.IN.gov/DNRShootingRanges.