MA Gov. Baker Announces Major Disaster Declaration Request

MA Gov. Baker Announces Major Disaster Declaration Request

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has announced a new request to the federal government for a Major Disaster Declaration. 

Read the Letter Here 

The request comes as Massachusetts has nearly 2,000 cases of coronavirus, resulting in 15 deaths, as GoLocal has reported.

Major Disaster Declaration

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

If approved, this declaration would provide the Commonwealth additional federal assistance beyond what was included in the Emergency Declaration declared by President Donald Trump on March 13, 2020.

The disaster declaration request includes a request for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which would make financial assistance available to cities and towns, state agencies, and certain non-profits statewide.

The disaster declaration request also requests FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program including Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Crisis Counseling Assistance to help support residents in need during this unprecedented incident.

New Pubic Health Orders Issued

Along with Baker’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration, the Department of Public Health has issued three emergency orders.

The orders are as follows:

• Pharmacy Practice: To ensure pharmacists are able to fully support the health care system’s response to COVID-19, this emergency order makes several changes regarding pharmacy practice, including expedited approval for pharmacists licensed in other states to practice in Massachusetts, and allowing the remote processing of prescriptions by pharmacy technicians. Read the Order
• Determination of Need: This emergency order exempts health care facilities from the requirement that they submit a Notice of Determination of Need for certain activities that will support their response to COVID-19. Read the Order | Read the Guidance
• Nurse Staffing: To ensure hospitals have the flexibility they need to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, this emergency order exempts hospitals from certain nurse-staffing requirements, while requiring that they must ensure that staffing levels remain adequate to meet patients’ needs, and staff is trained and competent to meet the needs of their patients. Read the Order