Gov. Holcomb Announces More Steps to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

INDIANAPOLIS March 16, 2020 – In a continuing effort to slow the spread of
novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Eric J. Holcomb has announced
additional efforts.

The governor and other state officials will conduct a COVID-19 briefing
today at 2:30 p.m. in the south atrium of the Indiana Statehouse with the
latest updates on testing and cases.

Here are additional directives from Governor Holcomb.

* Indiana will adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention for large events and mass gatherings. The guidance recommends no
in-person events of more than 50 people. Here is a link to the guidance:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gather
ings-ready-for-covid-19.html
* Under the current guidance for schools, 273 public school districts
are closed, using e-learning days, or on spring break and have announced a
future closure. The Department of Education is working with the remaining 16
school corporations to determine their next steps and needs
* Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are required to close to in-person
patrons and may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of
March
* Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers should cancel and/or
postpone elective and non-urgent surgical procedures immediately. This
action will help the healthcare system conserve resources and personnel
necessary to meet emerging health needs

* Physicians should continue to perform critical procedures necessary
to prevent short-term and/or long-term adverse effects to their patients’
overall health

* The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been raised to a Level 1
status and will work in conjunction with the incident command center at the
Indiana State Department of Health for planning, coordination, predictive
analysis and other functions
* State employees will maximize the use of remote work and meet
virtually whenever possible while maintaining operations. Non-essential
in-person meetings will be limited to 10 persons or less and should meet
virtually whenever possible. High-risk individuals should not attend
meetings in person
* State employees over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions
are advised to work from home, and agencies should identify work that can be
accomplished remotely for those individuals
* The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, which are closed on
Mondays, will close to the public beginning Tuesday
* The visitors center at White River State Park will close
* Indiana state parks and recreation centers, including state park
inns, remain open. Restaurants will convert operations to take-out and
delivery
* State agencies already are developing remote work plans for
employees and will continue to implement them while maintaining necessary
state services. Employees who work outdoors are encouraged to practice
social distancing
* The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has suspended rules
requiring certain unemployment insurance claimants to physically appear at a
Work One location to engage in reemployment services for the next four
weeks. This will ensure that individuals who may be symptomatic do not have
to physically appear to continue their unemployment insurance eligibility

* The DWD will also request flexibility under federal and state law to
expand eligibility for claimants and ease burdens on employers.

* The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will postpone the
inaugural Indiana Global Economic Summit, scheduled for April 26-28

* Communities are encouraged to work together to provide child care
options for all who need assistance and delivery services of meals and other
necessities for senior citizens
* Hoosiers who can donate blood are encouraged to visit local blood
centers. Blood supplies are low. Please follow the guidance at
www.redcross.org <www.redcross.org>

More information may be found at the ISDH website at
on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.