New COVID-19 Policies!
March 20, 2020
In the interest of public safety and in an effort to protect our staff, patients, and residents, the following COVID-19 policies are in effect immediately:
- Edgewater Health is restricting access to our facilities to patients and employees only!
- No visitors are allowed without an appointment, prior approval, or authorization.
- Anyone presenting with COVID-19 symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, high fever, or labored breathing will be required to wear a face mask.
- Everyone entering our facilities will be required to maintain social distancing protocols by remaining at least six feet apart.
- Physical contact should be reduced or eliminated if possible (i.e., elbow bump instead of handshake)
- Wash hands often and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with uncleaned hands.
- Cough or sneeze into inner elbow or use tissue and immediately discard.
- Avoid large crowds, meetings with more than ten people are prohibited.
- Please do not enter if you have traveled internationally within the last 14 days.
- Postpone your visit if you have recently had a fever or cough or have come in contact with anyone diagnosed with influenza or COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
GOVERNOR HOLCOMB UPDATES ACTIONS
The governor has announced new actions and signed executive orders as Indiana continues to deal with the novel coronavirus:
- The state of emergency has been extended an additional 30 days after it expires on April 5.
- All K-12 public schools will remain closed until May 1.
- Non-public schools are also ordered closed.
- All state-mandated assessments are cancelled for the current academic year.
- State income tax payments are delayed until July 15.
- Penalties will be waived for 60 days for property tax paid after May 11.
- Providers of essential utility services such as gas and electric, broadband, telecom, water and wastewater are prohibited from discontinuing service to any customer during the public health emergency.
- The state’s application to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was approved on Wednesday. This program provides targeted, low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help small businesses and nonprofits overcome the temporary loss of revenue as a result of the coronavirus.
- No residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions may be initiated during the public health emergency.
- Participants in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are not required to make minimum payments.
- Telehealth services for mental health, substance use disorder and prescribing for Medicaid covered services will be expanded.
- Mental health professionals are permitted to practice via telemedicine.
For more information about the state’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic visit: http://in.gov/coronavirus