Governor Eric Holcomb has extended Indiana’s public health emergency declaration into September. The declaration was first issued on March 6 and has now been extended five times. It remains in effect until September 2, unless it’s renewed again.
The extension was one of two executive orders signed by Governor Holcomb Thursday. The other one officially keeps Indiana in Stage 4.5 of his Back on Track plan until August 27.
It also makes some clarifications regarding the use of face masks in school. Among other things, it allows students to remove their mask in the classroom with only three feet of social distancing, rather than six, as long as all students are facing the same direction. Teachers are also given the discretion to let students remove masks “on an intermittent and temporary basis.” The Governor’s Office says the change was made following consultation with the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
That order also prohibits eviction and foreclosure proceedings until August 15, except for emergencies or, in the case of foreclosures, if the property is vacant.
