PACC COVID-19 UPDATES

Latest News

• 7/23/20 – Director’s Order for Facial Coverings throughout the State of Ohio
• 7/23/20 – Eight Counties Increase to Red Alert Level Three, Importance of Self-Quarantines, Broadband Expansion
• 7/22/20 – 2nd Director’s Order to Extend Exp. for Contact Sports Practices
• 7/22/20 – Governor DeWine Issues Statewide Mask Order, Travel Warning
• 7/17/20 – Addendum to Director’s Order for Facial Coverings in Counties in Level 3 Public Health Advisory
• 7/16/20 –  Director’s Order to Extend the Expiration Date of 2nd Amended Order for Sports 
• 7/15/20 – Governor DeWine Implores Ohioans to Unite to Prevent Spread of Covid-19
• 7/13/20 – COVID-19 Minority Health Strike Force Updates
• 7/10/20 – Addendum to Director’s Order on Face Coverings
• 7/09/20 – Executive Order 2020-28D – Directing Expenditure of Fiscal Year 2021 TANF Funds by ODJFS
• 7/09/20 – Executive Order 2020-27D – Directing Expenditure of Fiscal Year 2021 TANF Funds by ODJFS
• 7/09/20 – New Risk Levels, Higher Education Guidance, Funding for Schools, Homelessness Grant, IMAP Launch, SharedWork Program, Plasma Donation
• 7/08/20 – Director’s Order for Facial Coverings in 7 Counties
• 7/08/20 – Minority Health Testing
• 7/07/20 – Face Coverings to be Required in High-Risk 
• 7/07/20 – Updating and Revising Requirements and Guidance for Youth Day
• 7/07/20 – Directors 2nd Order to Extend Expiration of Various Orders 
• 7/07/20 – Director’s 2nd Amendment – Guidance for Contact Sports
• 7/02/20 – Executive Order 2020-26D -Authorizing 100% Federal Funding for SharedWork Ohio Benefits
• 7/02/20 – Director’s Order to Limit Access to Ohio’s Nursing Homes and Similar Facilities
• 7/02/20 – Ohio Public Health Advisory System
• 7/02/20 – School Guidelines, Public Health Advisory System
• 7/02/20 – Reset-Restart Planning Guide for Schools and Districts
• 6/30/20 – Director’s Order to Extend the Expiration Date of Various Orders
• 6/30/20 – Guidance for Contact Sport Practices and Non-Contact Sport Competitions, with Exceptions
• 6/29/20 – Increases in Hospitalizations and Positivity Rate, Counties of Concern, Nursing Home Visitation, Order Extension
• 6/26/20 – COVID-19 Minority Health Testing
• 6/26/20 – Increase in Positive Cases, 2-1-1
• 6/23/20 – Public Awareness Campaigns, Fireworks, Criminal Justice Grants
• 6/22/20 – Minority Health Testing
• 6/19/20 – Case Increases in Children and in Southwest Ohio..
• 6/18/20 – Executive Order – Unemployment Insurance During Covid-19 Pandemic
• 6/18/20 – COVID-19 Minority Health Testing
• PRIOR NEWS STORIES

Bar/Restaurant Owner Support
The Lt. Governor announced a temporary buy-back of high proof liquor products purchased within the last 30 days. The goal of this is to ease cash flow for bar/restaurant owners. Here is a release by the Department of Commerce that shares more. It should be returned to the Agency where it was purchased. If you have questions you may call 1-877-812-0013 or email ohioliquorinfo@com.ohio.gov

Workplace Safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has resources to help employers and workers prepare for and respond to coronavirus in the workplace.

• OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help employers respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace.
• Temporary OSHA Guidance on Respiratory Protection Standard – This guidance provides suggestions and options to help increase the availability of N95 filtering facepiece respirators for healthcare providers.
• COVID-19 Webpage – Provides infection prevention information specifically for employers and workers.

Wages, Hours and Leave
The Wage and Hour Division is providing information on common issues employers and workers face when responding to COVID-19, including the effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities
NOTE: Check with your state’s unemployment insurance program regarding the rules in your state.

The Employment and Training Administration announced new guidance outlining state flexibilities in administering their unemployment insurance programs to assist Americans affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under the guidance, federal law permits significant flexibility for states to amend their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits in multiple scenarios related to COVID-19. For example, federal law allows states to pay benefits where:

• An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employees from coming to work;
• An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and
• An individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member.

In addition, federal law does not require an employee to quit in order to receive benefits due to the impact of COVID-19.

Federal Response
Additionally, the House acted late last week to pass legislation to support businesses and families affected by the disruption. Here is a great overview by the US Chamber which breaks down what is included.

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PERSONAL SUPPORT/RESOURCES

What to do if you are sick
If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow these CDC steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. Know the symptoms, pdf