This page lists select actions through 31 July 2020 as Governors responded to the novel coronavirus. It is not intended to be exhaustive but is meant to highlight key actions and resources that may inform other states and territories. A full archive of NGA COVID-19 related material can be found here.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus resource page.
- March 12, 2020—Governor Sununu announced a new order, issued by the states Insurance Commissioner, requiring health insurers to cover services associated with testing of COVID-19. It outlines a series of actions that health insurers must take, such as offering telehealth services and expanding access to prescription drug refills.
- March 15, 2020 – The Governor issued an emergency order closing all public schools in the state while also providing guidance to districts on remote learning plans.
- March 16, 2020 – The Governor limited scheduled public gatherings over 50 people and required that all bars and restaurants transition to offsite eating options.
- March 16, 2020 – The Governor sent a memo to municipal officials and state boards and commissioners on compliance with the state’s Right to Know law.
- March 17, 2020 – The Governor issued three emergency orders that:
- Prohibit service providers from disconnecting or discontinuing services for non-payments;
- Prohibit evictions for those impacted by COVID-19; and
- Provide immediate access to unemployment benefits for those impacted by COVID-19.
- March 17,2020 – The New Hampshire Insurance Department posted Frequently Asked Questions about Business Interruption Insurance Coverage and the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
- March 18, 2020 – The Governor issued Executive orders 6, 7, and 8 which:
- Allow for temporary authorization for takeout or delivery of beer or wine;
- Modify data and privacy governance plans to allow school district to have greater flexibility in developing remote learning software tools; and
- Expand access to telehealth services.
- March 18, 2020 – The Department of Motor Vehicles transitioned to phone and online services.
- March 19, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 9 establishing the Emergency Healthcare System Relief Fund.
- March 20, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Leader McConnell and Speaker Pelosi regarding the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program.
- March 20, 2020 – The Governor and state delegation sent a letter to President Trump urging him to take additional steps to speed up the production and distribution of medical supplies needed to combat this public health emergency.
- March 21, 2020 – The Governor issued an Executive Order requiring all grocers and retail stores to temporarily transition to the use of single use paper or plastic bags in order to reduce the transmission of the virus.
- March 23, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Orders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 which:
- Provide temporary authority perform secure remote online notarization.
- Provide temporary modification of public access to meetings under RSA 91-A.
- Temporarily allow pharmacists and pharmacies to compound and sell hand sanitizer over the counter and allow pharmacy technicians to perform non-dispensing tasks remotely.
- Temporarily authorize out-of-state pharmacies to act as licensed mail-order facilities within the State of New Hampshire.
- Temporarily authorize out-of-state medical providers to provide medically necessary services, as well as services through telehealth.
- March 23, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Leader McConnell and Speaker Pelosi regarding short-term and long-term steps that can be taken to provide economic assistance to small businesses.
- March 23, 2020- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved New Hampshire’s request for a Section 1135 Medicaid waiver. The approved waiver enables New Hampshire to provide flexibilities in Medicaid provider screening and enrollment, forgo certain pre-admission screening and annual resident review assessments, lift prior authorization requirements, allow for reimbursement facility services in alternative settings, and extend fair hearing and appeals timelines.
- March 24, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 16 which prohibits mass gatherings of 10 or more people.
- March 24, 2020 – The Governor announced that the state has mobilized three websites to coordinate volunteer efforts in response to this public health emergency.
- March 26, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 17, which directed the closure of non-essential businesses and required residents to shelter in place.
- March 26, 2020 – The Department of Health and Human Services established an Emergency Child Care Collaborative, a public-private partnership to meet the needs of essential workers.
- March 27, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Orders 18 and 19, which temporarily modify Department of Safety Laws and Regulations, and extend Emergency Order 1 by requiring schools to maintain remote learning for all public K-12 school districts.
- March 30, 2020 – The Governor signed the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus [CARES] Act agreement which provides New Hampshire with 100 percent funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to support benefit payments to people receiving unemployment. This activity supports the program by:
- For those eligible under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, there will be an increase of the minimum weekly benefit amount from $32/week to $168/week, which includes people earning less than $15,500 during their base period.
- An additional $600 per week to be added to an individual’s weekly benefits for all weeks claimed starting this week — 100% federally funded.
- Extends the length of time a person can receive benefits by 13 weeks, totaling 39 weeks — 100% federally funded.
- March 30, 2020 – The Governor announced that the Department of Education is suspending standardized testing requirements.
- March 30, 2020 – The Governor announced that the State will be extending business tax payment deadlines to June 15 for 98% of New Hampshire small businesses.
- March 31, 2020 – The Governor signed Emergency Order 2020-04 which provides temporary emergency wage enhancement for New Hampshire Liquor Commission retail employees.
- March 31, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to the state’s lead disability organization on New Hampshire’s commitment to providing appropriate educational opportunities for students with disabilities as students learn remotely.
- March 31, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Secretary Alex Azar and Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma requesting an 1135 waiver for New Hampshire.
- April 1, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 21, which aims to ensure that domestic and sexual violence crisis centers have the resources needed to provide critical services to victims of domestic violence.
- April 1, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 22, which authorizes emergency funding for child protection services, including domestic violence support, substance use support, the Strength to Success program, technology to support youth family services families, and the family resiliency support line.
- April 1, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 23, which provides provisions to municipalities such as being relieved of complying from statutory or local deadlines, the postponement of town meetings, and guidelines on construction activities.
- April 2, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Secretary Mnuchin regarding the CARES Act and requested state guidance on the timeliness of funding.
- April 3, 2020 – The Governor issued Executive Order 2020-05, renewing the Declaration of a State of Emergency, and Executive Order 24, which modified Emergency Order 4 regarding the temporary prohibition evictions and foreclosures. He additionally issued Executive Order 25 which provides temporary modification of interest penalty for late payment of property taxes.
- April 4, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 26 which is a continuation of Emergency Orders 2, 6, and 16.
- April 6, 2020 – The Governor responded to a letter form Congresswoman Kuster regarding the availability of substance use disorder services, including medication assisted treatment, across the state during this public health emergency.
- April 6, 2020 – The Governor signed Emergency Order 27, which restricts all lodging providers within the state to provide lodging only for vulnerable populations and essential workers.
- April 7, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to state House and Senate leaders outlining the formation of the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery, which will be charged with the investment and oversight of COVID-19 relief and stimulus funds provided by the federal government.
- April 9, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order 28, 29 and 30 which provide non-congregate temporary housing for first responders and health care, provide temporary modification to executive branch deadlines and requirements, and provide temporary requirements for healthcare providers in alternative care settings.
- April 12, 2020 – The Governor announced approximately 91,000 pounds of personal protective equipment was delivered to the state and it will be distributed to the areas of greatest need across the state.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor signed Executive Order 2020-06 which established the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery to assist with the management and expenditure of emergency relief funds.
- April 15, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Leader McConnell and Speaker Pelosi regarding federal aid to independent restaurants in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and needed changes to the Paycheck Protection Program.
- April 15, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Attorney General approving a grant application for $600,000 submitted by the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, which ensures the availability of resources for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
- April 16, 2020 – The Governor signed Emergency Order 31 which establishes the COVID-19 Long Term Care Stabilization Program for service provided by front line workers employed by certain Medicaid providers, and contracted facilities, to provide temporary stabilization funding to incentivize frontline workers to remain in or rejoin the workforce during this public health emergency.
- April 16, 2020 – The Governor signed Emergency Order 32 which temporarily extends remote instruction and support for public K-12 school districts.
- April 17, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order #33 which activates the state’s Crisis Standards of Care Plan to guide development of clinical guidelines during COVID-19.
- April 21, 2020 – The Governor announced that he sent a letter to leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Treasury requesting New Hampshire be granted a Section 1332 State Relief and Empowerment Waiver.
- April 21, 2020 – The Governor announced the formation of the Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force, which will develop a plan and oversee the state and private sector actions needed to reopen New Hampshire’s economy while minimizing the adverse impact on public health.
- April 23, 2020 – The Governor issued Executive Order 2020-07, which allows for the appointment of additional members to the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery Stakeholder Advisory Board.
- April 24, 2020 – The Governor issued Executive Order 2020-08, extending the State of Emergency. The Governor also signed a number of other Emergency Orders related to health insurance coverage, and workers compensation.
- May 1, 2020 – The Governor announced that he is implementing Stay at Home 2.0, which is in effect until May 31. Additionally, the Governor provided guidance to certain industries that can begin to phase-in services during the month of May.
- May 1, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order #40 which extends and modifies the closure of non-essential businesses and requires residents to stay home.
- May 5, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order #41 which adds additional Medicaid eligibility for the uninsured, such as allowing for the coverage of COVID testing.
- May 7, 2020 – The Governor announced this week as Teacher Appreciation Week.
- May 8, 2020 – The Governor issued Exhibits E and F to Emergency Order #29 which modifies certain deadlines of the Fire Standards and Training Commission and modifies certain statutory deadlines of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
- May 11, 2020 – The Governor signed Emergency Order #42 which authorizes temporary health partners to assist in responding to the pandemic in long-term care facilities.
- May 12, 2020 – The Governor announced a new testing site in Concord, as well as a one-day testing site offered through the volunteer medical corps and New Hampshire Fire Department.
- May 13, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Attorney General Gordon MacDonald approving nine grant applications under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, totaling $575,701.49.
- May 14, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order #43, along with Exhibit G to Emergency Order #29, which temporarily modifies requirements for change of part affiliation.
- May 15, 2020 – The Governor announced $595 million in new funding commitments for areas and industries across New Hampshire affected by the pandemic.
- May 19, 2020 – The Governor issued Exhibit H to Emergency Order #29 which provides changes for professional licenses through continuing education requirements, notarization requirements, electronic signatures, and other measures.
- May 27, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order #48 which supports special education requirements to support remote instruction.
- May 28, 2020 – The Governor established the Governor’s COVID-19 Equity Response Team to develop a recommended strategy and plan to address the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- May 28, 2020 – The Governor announced that the state plans to break down most clinical surge flex facilities across New Hampshire starting next week.
- June 5, 2020 – The Governor issued Executive Order 2020-10 which is the fourth extension declaring a state of emergency.
- June 10, 2020 – The Governor commented on the states current case count and provided a thorough list of all state actions taken during the pandemic.
- June 11, 2020 – The Governor released additional reopening guidelines for activities such as youth sports, entertainment centers, libraries, and museums. He additionally announced the expiration of the state’s stay at home order.
- June 17, 2020 – The Governor issued Emergency Order #53 which is an amendment to Emergency Order #36, Ensuring Worker’s Compensation Coverage for New Hampshire First Responders Exposed to COVID-19.
- June 18, 2020 – Using CARES Act funding, the Governor announced a Request for Proposals for the Connecting NH- Emergency Broadband Expansion Program, which is seeking proposals to provide high speed internet connectivity to as many unserved New Hampshire properties as possible at the least cost to the State.
- June 26, 2020 – The Governor issued Executive Order 2020-14, along with Exhibit J to Emergency Order #29 which extends the state of emergency declaration and provides waivers for annual fees.
- July 10, 2020 – The Governor signed HB 1129, relative to notice requirements for certain municipal public hearings, providing for optional town meeting procedures during the state of emergency.
- July 15, 2020 – The Governor wrote a letter to President Trump requesting an extension of Title 32 status for National Guard personnel through December 31, 2020.
- July 17, 2020 – The Governor signed HB 1266 into law, making temporary modifications to the absentee voter registration, absentee ballot application, and absentee voting processes in response to the pandemic.
- July 28, 2020 – The Governor signed Exhibit M to Emergency Order 29 in response to the pandemic, which allows for greater funding of the College Tuition Savings Plan UNIQUE Annual Allocation Scholarship Program for this upcoming academic year.
