HeplerBroom understands how staying abreast of the latest developments related to COVID-19 is important to your business and planning for the future. We have assembled some of the executive, legislative, and regulatory actions related to COVID-19 that may affect you. Indiana has recently taken a number of actions to manage this public health crisis, which are summarized below.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

• Like many other states, in response to the coronavirus epidemic, the Governor issued an Executive Order to the Indiana Emergency Operations Center, Indiana National Guard, Food Service Establishments, Hospitals and Health Centers, and the General Public. The executive order directs each operation in a way that is to be helpful to the State of Indiana and its citizens during the epidemic. The order further limits group meetings, unless necessary, and directs any known price gouging on consumer goods to the Attorney General.

 SAFETY

• On March 23, 2020, the Governor issued a stay-at-home executive order to the entire State of Indiana. Like many other states in the nation, this order is in response to COVID-19 in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. The order is to remain in effect until April 6, 2020, unless the Governor rescinds, modifies, or extends the date. In addition, the order also directs all non-essential business and operations to cease, and further restricts non-essential travel. To read the entire order, visit https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive_Order_20-08_Stay_at_Home.pdf.

 LANDLORD/TENANT

• On March 19, 2020, the Governor issued a temporary prohibition on evictions and foreclosures as a result of COVID-19. This order, in part, reads that no eviction or foreclosure actions involving resident real estate may be initiated until the state of emergency has terminated. While the order does not relieve any individual of the obligation to pay, it does keep individuals safe from the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring they are not evicted for nonpayment during the current crises. To read the entire order, visit https://www.in.gov/gov/files/EO_20-06.pdf.

HOSPITALITY

• On March 23, 2020, the Governor issued an executive order prohibiting all in-person dining in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and limit the number of individuals in one area. The order is directed to the Indiana State Department of Health (“ISDH”) and local boards of health who are to take all available administrative and enforcement actions against any establishment that provides in-dining services. Additionally, the order directs the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (“ATC”) to take the same actions with respect to establishments permitting in-person dining and holding alcohol beverage permits. To read the entire order, visit https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive%20Order%2020-10%20(Enforcement%20of%20In-Person%20Dining%20Prohibition).pdf.

 GOVERNMENT OFFICES

• On March 23, 2020, the Governor issued a continuity of operations of government executive order limiting access to government buildings until April 7, 2020. These restrictions apply to everyone except those members of the public needing to conduct services essential to public health and safety and which cannot otherwise be conducted electronically, telephonically, and/or be delayed. The order states that a large part of government access is to work and communicate via e-mail and telecommunications. To read the entire order, visit https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive%20Order%2020-09%20(Continuity%20of%20Government%20Operations).pdf.

A public emergency such as the one we are experiencing with COVID-19 is unlike anything any of us has ever experienced. In an effort to continue to keep citizens safe, Indiana has also worked to keep many businesses and services running. Like many, HeplerBroom attorneys are diligently working from their homes to keep both clients and the community at large updated as to executive, legislative, and regulatory actions in the midst of COVID-19.