In the last several weeks, governors and state health departments have made changes to emergency orders and vaccine mandates as the COVID-19 delta variant continues to spread.
- Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) convened the state general assembly to make exceptions to Act 1002, a state law that prohibits a government agency from establishing a mask mandate, which Hutchinson has publicly stated he regrets signing. However, the general assembly failed to act. Hutchinson urges state community members to join his town halls to discuss next steps;
- The California Department of Public Health will require all school staff to show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week; and
- In an effort to increase hospital capacity for COVID-19 patients, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) sent a letter to the Texas Hospital Association, asking hospitals to voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures for which a delay will not result in loss of life or deterioration of a patient’s condition.
Visit the America’s Essential Hospitals coronavirus resource page for more information about the pandemic.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
