Please note: As of April 15, 2021 we are no longer doing regularly scheduled updates to this page.
April 1, 2021:
On March 31, 2021, Governor Holcomb signed two new executive orders: Executive Order 21-08 and Executive Order 21-09.
EO 21-08 is the thirteenth renewal of the public health emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. The public health emergency will be in effect until April 30, 2021, and all previous executive orders that rest on the public health emergency declaration are extended for the same amount of time.
EO 21-09 is the fifth continuation of the county-based measures and restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 first put in place under EO 20-43. The measures will now remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2021. Additionally, this Order modifies the previous guidelines by relaxing limits for social gathering and events and mask requirements for businesses. This modification will take effect April 6 and extend through April 30.
March 25, 2021:
Governor Holcomb announced that all residents age 16 and older will be eligible to receive a vaccine starting March 31, 2021.
March 22, 2021:
On March 22, 2021, Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 21-07, a renewal of Executive Order 20-51, which contains certain directives issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As provided by Executive Order 20-51, any of the following individuals who received an initial and/or subsequent 90-day temporary authorization to provide health care in the State of Indiana in response to the public health emergency is granted an additional 90-authorization to continue to provide health care services:
- Retired health care professionals
- Physician assistant students
- Nursing students
- Respiratory care practitioner students
- Out-of-state health care professionals
- Graduate pharmacists
- Retired and inactive EMS professionals
Any professionals who are granted a temporary license in the state must register at www.in.gov/pla.
March 18, 2021:
On March 17, 2021, the Indiana Department of Public Health announced that residents aged 45 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
March 3, 2021:
On March 3, 2021, the Indiana Department of Public Health announced that residents aged 50 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
March 2, 2021:
On February 25, 2021, Governor Holcomb signed two new executive orders: Executive Order 21-05 and Executive Order 21-06. EO 21-05 is the twelfth renewal of the public health emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. The public health emergency will be in effect until March 31, 2021, and all previous executive orders that rest on the public health emergency declaration are extended for the same amount of time. EO 21-06 is the fourth continuation of the county-based measures and restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 first put in place under EO 20-43. The measures will now remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2021. The county metrics map can be found here.
February 1, 2021:
On February 1, 2021 Indiana moved into the next stage of its COVID-19 vaccination plan. Any Hoosier age 65 or older is now eligible to schedule a vaccination appointment, as are long-term care residents, first responders (including firefighters, police officers and sheriff’s deputies, emergency medical services, reservists, and correctional officers), and licensed and unlicensed healthcare workers who have in-person contact with patients or infectious materials in a healthcare setting.
January 28, 2021:
Governor Holcomb signed two new executive orders, Executive Order 21-02 and Executive Order 21-03. EO 21-02 is the third continuation of the county-based measures and restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 first put in place under EO 20-43. The measures will now remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2021. The county metrics map can be found here.
EO 21-03 is the eleventh renewal of the public health emergency declaration for the COVID-19 outbreak. The public health emergency will be in effect until March 1, 2021; all previous executive orders that rest on the public health emergency declaration are extended for the same amount of time.
January 25, 2021:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 21-01, the second extension of Executive Order 20-50. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on January 25, 2021, Executive Order 20-50 – which lays out the county-based measures and restrictions based on the impact and spread of the coronavirus disease – will be extended and remain in effect until January 31, 2021. However, the extension is subject to the following modifications:
- Hospitals are directed to implement evidenced-based criteria to ensure sufficient capacity to care for all patients and should reprioritize or postpone non-emergent surgeries or procedures.
- Counties, political subdivisions, local government entities, or school corporation may impose more stringent requirements, but not less stringent requirements.
January 20, 2021:
Governor Holcomb and health officials outlined their vaccine roll out plan on January 6. On January 8, the plan – which prioritizes Hoosiers by age group – was available for Hoosiers 80-years-old and older. On January 13, the Indiana Department of Health announced it was expanding registration to Hoosiers 70 and holder. The state plans to eventually expand registration to residents 60 and older. Vaccines have been available to first responders, law enforcement and similar, long-term care facility residents and health care workers since the implementation as well.
January 5, 2021:
Gov. Holcomb extended two executive orders, Executive Order 20-02, which was a public health emergency declaration and had been extended nine times previously, and Executive Order 20-50, which implemented county-based assessments, restrictions (including social distancing, self-quarantining, and face coverings), and guidance. Executive Order 20-52 extends Executive Order 20-02, as previously extended and amended, until January 30, 2021, while Executive Order 20-53 amends Executive Order 20-50 to give hospitals the ability to choose to postpone or reprioritize non-emergent medical procedures as opposed to being ordered to do so, and extends Executive Order 20-50 through January 24, 2021.
December 10, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-50 for the Continuation of County-Based Measures and Restrictions Based on the Impact and Spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Effective on December 13, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. and continuing through January 3, 2021, at 11:59 p.m., this order is a continuation of the county-based color-coding system laid out in Executive Order 20-48.
Each week, the State Health Commissioner will conduct weekly health assessments of each county and convey the results of those assessments to residents using a color-coding system. Each of the four colors – blue, yellow, orange, and red – will have associated special measures and restrictions, which we be respectively applicable to each county, and are further elaborated on in the order.
In addition to the restriction imposed by the color codes, all residents and businesses are still subject to additional requirements such as:
- Face-covering requirements;
- COVID-response Plans; and
- Social distancing and other sanitation requirements; among others.
December 1, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-49, which is the Ninth Renewal of the Public Health Emergency Declaration for the COVID-19 Outbreak. The order renews the declaration of a public health disaster emergency for another 30 days, through December 31, 2020. All other executive orders issued since March 6, 2020, which are contingent on the public health emergency declaration are renewed for the same 30-day period.
November 20, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-48, which provides for county-based measures and restrictions based on the impact and spread of COVID-19. Under this order, all measures and restrictions set forth in Executive Order 20-46 are rescinded and replaced starting November 15, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., continuing through December 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Under the new order, the State Health Commissioner will conduct weekly health assessments of each county and convey the results of those assessments to residents using a color-coding system. Each of the four colors – blue, yellow, orange, and red – will have associated special measures and restrictions, which will be respectively applicable to each county.
Beyond the restrictions imposed by the color codes, all residents and businesses are still subject to additional requirements such as:
- Face covering requirements;
- COVID-Response Plans; and
- Social distancing and other sanitation requirements; among others.
November 3, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-47 which is the Eighth Renewal of the Public Health Emergency Declaration for the Covid-19 Outbreak. The order renews the declaration of a public health disaster emergency for another 30 days, through December 1, 2020. All other executive orders issued since March 6, 202, which are contingent on the public health emergency declaration are renewed for the same 30 day period.
October 19, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-46 which orders that, as of October 18, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., all individuals, businesses, entities and counties in the State of Indiana will remain in Stage 5 of the Back on Track Indiana Plan through November 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., unless the order is further extended, modified, or rescinded. All directives in Executive Order 20-43 are also continued and extended through November 14, 2020.
September 30, 2020:
Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-45, which is a renewal of certain directives and recession of other directives issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Renewals
As provided by Executive Order 20-33, any of the following individuals who received an initial and/or subsequent 90-day temporary authorization to provide health care in the State of Indiana in response to the public health emergency is granted an additional 90-authorization to continue to provide health care services.
- Retired Health Care Professionals
- Physician Assistant Students
- Nursing Students
- Respiratory Care Practitioner Students
- Out-of-State Health Care Professionals
- Graduate Pharmacists
Any professionals who are granted a temporary license in the state must register at www.in.gov/pla.
Any individuals who are receiving unemployment compensation benefits and who also receive a stipend or compensation for working as a poll worker in Indiana will not have their unemployment benefits reduced. However, this will not change the way the stipend is considered in terms of federal and state income taxes.
Rescission
- Executive Order 20-23, which suspended the five-year limitation on business reinstatements and the requirement for the business to submit a certificate of clearance when applying for reinstatement – which was done to allow businesses to seek federal assistance – is rescinded.
- Executive Order 20-15, which suspended the provision requiring lottery holders to claim their winnings within 180 days, is rescinded.
- Executive Order 20-15, which suspended certain code sections to allow for the 2020 alumni trustee election be postponed, has been further modified to require the person selected in the postponed election to serve a two-year term rather than a three-year term in order to maintain the staggered election of trustees in subsequent years.
September 24, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-43 – Back on Track Indiana: Stage Five – The New Normal During a Global Pandemic. Under the order, all individuals, businesses, entities and counties in the state will be permitted to transition into Stage 5, which will continue until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2020, unless further extended. In Stage 5:
- Individuals are still subject to the Face Covering Requirement, with limited exceptions.
- Businesses and entities situated in or operating in the state must have COVID-19 Response Plans and follow social distancing requirements.
- The previous capacity requirements for bars and restaurants are rescinded and replaced with the following restrictions: (1) all patrons must remain seated while remaining on the premises; and (2) seating must be arranged and maintained so that individuals, households, or parties are spaced at least six feet apart from any other individual.
- Gatherings of more than 500 people are only allowed if an event plan is submitted to local health official before proceeding and the plan is approved by the local health official.
Governor Holcomb also signed Executive Order 20-44, which is the seventh renewal of the Public Health Emergency Declaration for the COVID-19 Outbreak. The declaration is renewed for an additional thirty days, past its previous expiration date of October 2, 2020. The declaration is now set to expire on November 1, 2020, unless further renewed.
August 27, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-40, which waives certain administrative requirements to allow school corporations to contract with relevant organization to operate school age, in-person, child care programs in physical environments other than public school buildings in order to support community needs. The order also increased the child care options for pre-K through grade 12-school ages children participating in remote or e-learning by suspending certain licensing requirements, only to the extent necessary, to permit in-person supervision.
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-41, which extends the public health disaster emergency set forth in Executive Order 20-02 until October 2, 2020. He also signed Executive Order 20-42, which extends Stage 4.5 of Indiana’s Back on Track plan through September 25, 2020, and extends the directive of Executive Order 20-37 to wear a face covering through September 25, 2020.
August 3, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-39, which announces that Indiana will continue operating in Stage 4.5 of its “Back on Track Indiana” reopening plan until at least August 26, 2020. Under Stage 4.5,
- Fairs, festivals, and parades may resume, but must operate at 50% capacity if indoors, and ensure that social distancing is maintained among all attendees,
- Conventions may resume, but may not have more than 250 participants, and
- Public access to all state government buildings, offices, and facilities is restricted to appointment only.
The new order also continues the prohibition on evictions and foreclosures provided for in Executive Order 20-06. No eviction or foreclosure proceeding may be initiated until at least August 14, 2020.
July 27, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-37, which requires individuals to wear a face covering in Indiana. Specifically, the order requires that a face covering be worn:
- Inside any building open to the public, excluding private offices,
- Outdoors anytime that social distancing is not possible, and
- While using public transportation, including taxis and ride sharing vehicles.
The order applies to any individual 8 years or older. However, it includes a number of exceptions, such as:
- Any individual who has a medical condition or disability that prevents him or her from wearing a face covering;
- Any individual who is communicating with someone who has a hearing impairment;
- Any individual who is eating or drinking; and
- Any individual who is exercising or playing a sport, as long as he or she is able to maintain a social distance from any other people.
The order went into effect on July 27, 2020 and will continue until August 26, 2020, unless otherwise rescinded, modified, or extended.
July 23, 2020:
Governor Holcomb announced that he will sign an executive order requiring individuals to wear a face covering in most public places in Indiana. The order goes into effect on July 27, 2020. It requires that any individual 8 years or older wear a face covering:
- In any business or indoor space open to the public,
- While using public transportation, including taxis and ride sharing services, and
- In outdoor public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
The order is expected to have exceptions for individuals with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing a face covering. More information is forthcoming.
June 30, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-33 to extend certain prior directives. The following provisions have been extended:
- Eviction Prohibition. The prohibition on filing eviction actions or proceedings involving residential rental property has been further extended to July 31, 2020.
- Foreclosure Prohibition. The prohibition on filing foreclosure actions or proceedings involving residential real estate or property has been extended to July 31, 2020.
- Prohibition of Discontinuation of Utility Services. The prohibition on discontinuing utility services has been further extended until August 14, 2020.
- Temporary Licenses for Health Care Workers. A health care worker, as defined by the Order, that received an initial 90-day temporary authorization to provide health care services is provided an additional 90-day authorization to continue providing those services.
June 22, 2020:
Governor Holcomb announced a new, needs-based $61.6 million Education Relief Fund to improve remote learning. Traditional public-school corporations, public charter schools, accredited non-public schools, higher education institutions, and other education-related entities are eligible to apply. The grant program will be focused on three areas:
- Device Availability: to address the need for access to digital learning devices
- Connectivity: to develop comprehensive community-level and regional-level solutions
- Educator Capacity: to support partnerships between higher education and PK-12 to develop professional development and curriculum opportunities
June 4, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-30, which renews the declaration of a public health disaster emergency, as set forth in Executive Order 20-02, for an additional 30 days, expiring on July 4, 2020. All other Executive Orders that provide they are supplement to Executive Order 20-02 or state that they will continue for the duration of the public health disaster emergency are also renewed for the additional 30 days.
May 21, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-28 which lays out Stage Three of opening Indiana. The order goes into effect at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, May 22 and will remain in effect until June 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. The order allows all Indiana counties, except for Cass, Lake, and Marion county to transition to Stage 3. Cass, Lake and Marion counties will remain in Stage 2 until 12:00 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, at which point they may transition to Stage 3. The requirements of each stage are outlined in the order.
May 1, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 2020-26 which sets out a roadmap for reopening businesses in Indiana. The order goes into effect on May 1, 2020 at 11:59 pm and will remain in effect until May 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The order sets general provisions governing the reopening of businesses, including a county-by-county assessment, stages of reopening and time periods for each stage, as well as criteria for moving from stage to stage. The order addresses requirements for all businesses, current COVID-19 testing in the state, and guidance for businesses and employers moving forward. Additionally, the order addresses specific types of businesses and how each stage of reopening will affect those businesses.
April 24, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-23 which provides additional relief for the business community and additional health directives in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Order: (1) extends the deadline for businesses submitting personal property returns; (2) reinstates certain administratively dissolved businesses; and (3) authorizes both for-profit and non-profit companies to hold remote meetings; among other business and health provisions. The Order goes into effect immediately and lasts for the duration of the public health emergency.
Governor Holcomb also signed Executive Order 20-24 which allows for the resumption of non-urgent medical procedures starting on Sunday April 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Providers must adopt best policies and practices to protect patients, physicians, and staff against COVID-19 and have sufficient quantities of PPE.
April 21, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 2020-22, which extends the previous Stay at Home Order (Executive Order 20-18). Order 2020-22 goes into effect on April 20, 2020 at 11:59 pm and will remain in full force and effect until May 1, 2020 at 11:59 pm.
April 8, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-19, which provide additional directives to manage Indiana’s Health Care Response during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The directives include:
- Expanding the definition of “health care provider” to include a broader range of people, including those professionals providing care and support essential to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults, or individuals with mental health needs;
- Extending licensing for EMS professionals; and
- Allowing physician assistant students meeting certain requirements to apply for licenses.
The Order is in effect for the duration of the public health emergency.
April 6, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-17 which extended the public health disaster emergency set forth in Executive Order 20-02, dated March 6, 2020. The public health disaster emergency declaration shall now expire on My 5, 2020.
Governor Holcomb also signed Executive Order 20-18, which effectively replaces the previous stay-at-home order, Executive Order 20-08. The updated order adds additional restrictions on individuals purchasing goods or services, directs campgrounds to close, and reiterates that all businesses continuing to operate as Essential Businesses need to observe social distancing requirements and maintain other health and safety requirements. The Order also classifies certain retail businesses and professional services as Essential. The updated stay-at-home requirements will remain in effect until April 20, 2020.
April 3, 2020:
Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-16 which pertains to various educational matters, included required remote instruction for the remainder of the year, and extending license expiration dates for teachers until September 1, 2020.
March 23, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-08 which puts in place a stay-at-home order for all individuals currently living in the state of Indiana and requires all non-essential businesses to cease operations. Essential businesses, as defined in the order, include those specified under the federal CISA guidance, as well as several other industries, such as religious groups, media, and grocery stores, among others. These essential businesses are still required to comply with Social Distancing Requirements, including maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and members of the public. The order goes into effect March 24, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect April 6, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
March 16, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-04, which required all restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other establishments that provide in-dinning services to close to in-person patrons through March 31, 2020. Those entities are still authorized to provide drive-thru, take-out and delivery services.
March 6, 2020:
Governor Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-02, declaring a public health emergency in the State of Indiana.