Schools that require face masks are being allowed to ease their COVID-19 quarantine procedures. A control measure from the Indiana Department of Health lets close contacts keep attending school, but only if all students and adults in the classroom “correctly and consistently wear well-fitting masks” during the entire school day.
Even if a close contact may still attend class, schools still have to send a notice home, instructing families to monitor for symptoms. Those who develop symptoms still have to go home, seek testing, and isolate. The quarantine exception only applies to the classroom setting and not extracurricular activities.
Meanwhile, Governor Holcomb has issued an executive order to help hospitals deal with the strain caused by the Delta variant. The governor isn’t prohibiting non-emergent procedures outright, but is directing health care systems to “implement evidence-based criteria to ensure sufficient capacity and staffing.” Hospitals are also directed to report their diversion status and give daily updates on the number of available beds and ventilators.
The Indiana Department of Insurance will direct insurers to extend prior authorizations for non-emergent procedures that are postponed due to COVID-19 and speed up the process of transferring patients from hospitals to the next appropriate setting.
A number of COVID-19-related flexibilities are extended to the end of September. However, the job search requirements for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families have been reinstated. The state is also bringing back the one-week waiting period before paying out unemployment benefits, after this week.
In his order, Governor Holcomb strongly encourages Hoosiers to get vaccinated and get tested if they’re sick.
