Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday his administration is taking steps to suspend or modify state rules to help individuals and business that are adversely affected by efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Holcomb signed an executive order meant to speed up deliveries to retailers, which are running short of supplies, by lifting regulations on the number of hours that commercial drivers can work.
The exemption will last through April 5.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to take similar action soon, according to the American Truck Association. At least eight states have also suspended the restrictions on driver hours.
Holcomb announced several other changes. Among them:
– Community meals for seniors are being converted to home-delivered meals. Local partners, including Area Agencies on Aging, have been given funding flexibility to cover the added costs of delivering meals.
– Hoosiers on Medicaid will not pay co-pays for COVID-19 testing.
– Medicaid recipients will be allowed to get 90-day refills on medication they are taking for chronic conditions.
– The state has asked for federal permission to temporarily waive the renewal process for Hoosiers who receive SNAP food services and TANF benefits. Hoosiers who need to renew their Medicaid eligibility will get more time to complete the process, and no services will be interrupted.
– The state has provided day care centers with specific guidance to protect children in their care.
The latter has become increasingly important as parents turn to day care centers for help as schools close for several weeks.
Holcomb’s office said every community has a child care resource and referral agency to connect parents with local child care options and provide referrals for support. Families can find their local agency by calling 800-299-1627 or by consulting this map.•
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Holcomb signed an executive order meant to speed up deliveries to retailers, which are running short of supplies, by lifting regulations on the number of hours that commercial drivers can work. The exemption will last through April 5.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to take similar action soon, according to the American Truck Association. At least eight states have also suspended the restrictions on driver hours.
This is a stupid idea; all we need is one truck driver falling asleep at the wheel and killing more people in one multi-car pileup on an interstate highway than coronavirus could kill here in all the time it runs its course.