Gov. Kay Ivey issued today what the governor’s office called a “limited, narrowly-focused” state of emergency declaration that she said was intended to help hospitals and health care workers respond to the surging COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to be abundantly clear: there will be absolutely no statewide mandates, closures or the like,” Ivey said in a press release. “This state of emergency is strategically targeted at removing bureaucracy and cutting red tape wherever we can to allow our doctors, nurses and hospital staff to treat patients that come through their doors.”
The governor’s office said the proclamation would relax regulatory burdens to allow expanded capacity in healthcare facilities, additional liability protections, increased authority for frontline health care personnel and easier shipment of emergency equipment and supplies.
- The emergency order will allow out-of-state doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to practice in Alabama under expedited licenses or temporary permits.
- It will allow hospitals to receive temporary waivers from the certificate of need process normally used for approving new services and facilities, a move intended to free up bed space for COVID-19 patients.
- In the proclamation, Ivey said the pandemic could overwhelm the state’s hospitals and health care personnel and undermine their ability to deliver care in the traditional and customary manner and standards of care. That means hospitals can follow alternative standards of care under emergency operations plans.
- The emergency order allows government boards covered under the Open Meetings Act to meet by videoconference or telephone conference.
- To expedite the movement of vehicles carrying emergency equipment, supplies and services in response to the pandemic, the Alabama Department of Transportation can issue waivers of allowing loads to exceed the weights and dimensions allowed by law. That does not allow vehicles to exceed the weight limits posted for bridges, the proclamation says.
- State and local government agencies can enter contracts for goods and services in response to the pandemic without first publicly advertising as is normally required.
- The proclamation says state employees who perform services in response to the pandemic away from their home bases will be reimbursed for their expenses.
Ivey said she was encouraged by an increase in vaccination rates in Alabama over the last month.
“We owe those who have gotten the vaccine a tremendous debt of gratitude,” the governor said. “No doubt, this will soon move us in the right direction, but at the current time, we also need to offer our frontline heroes – who are unfortunately treating a new wave of patients in Alabama’s hospitals – a helping hand as they put it all on the line to take care of our people.
“That is exactly what we are doing in issuing this limited, narrowly-focused state of emergency. I want to be abundantly clear: there will be absolutely no statewide mandates, closures or the like. This state of emergency is strategically targeted at removing bureaucracy and cutting red tape wherever we can to allow our doctors, nurses and hospital staff to treat patients that come through their doors.
“Let me be crystal clear: Alabama remains open for business. Alabamians do not need government telling us what to do or how to do it. Unlike last year when we were hoping for a miracle, our greatest weapon against covid-19 today is the vaccine, so, if you can, roll up your sleeve and get the shot.”
COVID-19 infections have skyrocketed in Alabama over the last five weeks, with another 4,000 cases reported today. There were 2,430 hospitalized COVID-19 patients today, up from about 200 in early July.
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said Thursday he expected the number of hospitalized patients statewide to exceed the peak of about 3,100 in January within a few days. Alabama’s ICU beds were 95% occupied as of Thursday, he said.
Related: We are suffering’: South Alabama hospitals struggle with COVID surge, but no major changes coming
Children’s of Alabama treating 22 COVID patients, highest ever since pandemic began
Alabama seeks FEMA help: ‘Most rapid expansion of COVID’ overwhelming hospitals
Alabama schools begin reporting COVID-19 cases, forcing masks, remote learning
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August 14, 2021 at 05:52AM
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Gov. Kay Ivey issues ‘limited’ COVID-19 emergency order; ‘No statewide mandates, closures’ - AL.com
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