Regulatory rollbacks due to coronavirus show we need to cut red tape.
Since the coronavirus pandemic started, state and federal governments have temporarily suspended burdensome laws to make it easier for businesses and healthcare providers to operate.
Among other things, state leaders have
- Temporarily suspended laws restricting alcohol delivery or to-go alcohol sales. California, Illinois, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Texas as well as the cities of Washington D.C. and Atlanta have already implemented this. There are efforts in place to push for similar temporary amendments in Minnesota
- Suspended, or provided waivers for, laws restricting health care practitioners from practicing in states they have not been licensed in.
- Enacted mandates loosening practicing regulations for childcare service providers. The state of Missouri, for example, has loosened laws allowing childcare providers to exceed licensed capacity and extend hours. The state has also loosened laws regarding recordkeeping and made short-term licenses available.
- Waived laws prohibiting alcohol industry trucks from making deliveries to groceries and also suspended issuing permits for minor work.
The federal government on its part loosened privacy regulations allowing health service providers to utilize apps like Facetime to connect with patients.
We need to cut red tape
The fact that the government is getting out of the way to let effective response take place goes to show we can do with fewer regulations. Be it in health, financial markets, childcare, or the trucking industry, this is the time for legislators to evaluate burdensome laws and get rid of them once and for all.