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Holcomb Extends COVID-19 Emergency Through July

Justin Hicks/IPB News

Indiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency isn’t over yet. Gov. Eric Holcomb extended the emergency declaration another month Wednesday, through the end of July.

That extension will ensure Indiana remains eligible for federal emergency benefits, including food stamps and welfare.

Holcomb also issued a new executive order that keeps in place a few provisions the state has used throughout the pandemic. That includes temporary licensing for retired and out-of-state health care workers and suspension of payment requirements for Medicaid and the Healthy Indiana Plan.

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

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The latest order will also continue to expand the list of people who can provide COVID-19 vaccinations – which includes EMTs, trained National Guardsmen and medical assistants.

Holcomb's newest executive order also ensures that Hoosiers will not pay any late fees or interest for state income tax owed on unemployment benefits received last year during the pandemic.

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.