With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increasing in Indiana and across the country, state officials as well as many businesses and organizations are taking steps to slow further spread of the virus.
Gov. Eric Holcomb in a recent statement announced a few measures to address the coronavirus outbreak:
- 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.
- All of the state’s 273 public school districts are closed and turning to e-learning days, or are on spring break and have announced a future closure.
- 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
- 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 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.
- 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 Corp. 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. For more information visit www.redcross.org.
The state also has established a website providing daily updates on the coronavirus situation in Indiana.
Colleges and universities also have taken measures, including distance and online learning, to reduce the spread of the virus and have set up websites dedicated to the situation.
- Indiana University Northwest
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Purdue University Northwest
- Valparaiso University
- Saint Mary’s College
- University of Notre Dame
Hospitals across the Region and the South Bend area also have established guidelines for visitation and have set up websites providing regular updates
- Beacon Health System
- Community Healthcare System
- Franciscan Health
- La Porte Hospital
- Methodist Hospitals
- Porter Health Care System
Many businesses also have established rules for visitors. Officials suggest calling ahead before traveling to a business.
