© 2024 Northeast Indiana Public Radio
A 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Public File 89.1 WBOI

Listen Now · on iPhone · on Android
NPR News and Diverse Music
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Support for WBOI.org comes from:
All News

Holcomb Sets End Date For COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

FILE PHOTO: Brandon Smith
/
IPB News

Gov. Eric Holcomb is ending the majority of remaining COVID-19 restrictions Tuesday and all state executive orders issued during the pandemic will be repealed at the end of June.

Holcomb announced one last extension of the public health emergency Friday. That extension ensures Indiana will continue to receive federal funds for programs that include welfare benefits and food stamps.

READ MORE: How Is Indiana Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines? Here's What You Need To Know

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and other statewide issues.

But the governor said, beginning June 1, mask wearing will no longer be required in state facilities, except prisons, state hospitals, the Indiana Veterans Home, the state Law Enforcement Academy and all COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites.

Students in Hoosier schools don’t have to wear masks outdoors anymore. And starting July 1, local school boards will have to decide whether children must wear masks while in school buildings – Indiana will lift that statewide mandate after June 30.

The governor's latest order also waives any penalties or interest payments Hoosiers accrued on the state income taxes they owe for unemployment benefits received last year.

Holcomb said, if necessary after June, he will issue a new executive order that’s limited to the state’s vaccination program and financial assistance for health and welfare programs.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.