DES MOINES -  Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, suspending elective and nonessential medical and dental procedures, extending and expanding retail business closures, ordering health care facilities and nursing homes to engage in advanced health care screenings, and removing additional legal barriers to ensure a continued strong response to this disaster.

The state of public health disaster emergency shall expire on April 16, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended by the governor.

Read the highlights of the proclamation here or watch the video HERE.

Here are the changes as part of the expanded Public Health Disaster Emergency Proclamation from The Des Moines Register:

All existing closures, including restaurants and bar closures, were extended an additional week to April 7. That is effective as of 10 p.m. Thursday.

The closure of additional retail stores — bookstores; clothing and shoe stores; jewelry stores; luggage stores; cosmetic, perfume and beauty supply stores; furniture stores; florists and home furnishing stores.

Beginning at 5 PM Friday and "through the duration of this disaster," all non-essential and elective surgeries that can be delayed without "undue risk to patients" are suspended, Reynolds said. Also, all elective dental procedures including hygienic, orthodontic or cosmetic procedures are suspended. Emergency procedures are allowed still, the governor said.

The Governor also ordered that "healthcare insurance companies shall reimburse healthcare providers for telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits." She hopes that encourages patients to use telehealth more to screen and treat the virus.

Governor Reynolds ordered that healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, "to engage in enhanced staff health screenings."

Schools are still recommended to remain closed until April 13.

 

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