CORONAVIRUS UPDATE -
FEDERAL, STATE ACTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
The Coronavirus pandemic (CONVID-19) has created an ever-changing global situation. Its going to take the efforts and sacrifices of every sector of society; government, business and individuals to slow the spread and control the virus to the point that everyone feels and is safe to resume life as normal as possible.

In an effort to provide our members with the most up to date information regarding the concerted efforts (government, private business and citizenry) to combat the expansion of the Coronavirus, WATDA will be posting updates on our website, www.watda.org under the link Coronavirus Information . Due to the constant changing nature of this worldwide pandemic we believe that it may be more efficient to provide you with information resources direct.

      (a special thank you Bob Okoniewski and the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association for providing the below Federal Actions summary)

Federal Actions

National Emergency Declaration. President Donald Trump this afternoon declared a national emergency, an action that gives him authority to use $40 billion allocated by Congress for disaster relief to address the COVID-19 crisis. Mr. Trump has invoked law that empowers the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster response and aid for state and local governments.

$8.3 Billion Federal Funding Response. Earlier this week, President Trump signed legislation to assist small businesses and health providers:

  • Small Business Loans. The Small Business Administration will work directly with state governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. (See below for more details.)
  • States to receive a minimum of $4 million.
  • $826 million to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - for the development of vaccines, treatments, and tests.
  • $61 million to FDA to expedite reviews and cover manufacturing disruptions from epicenters such as China.
  • Empowers the US Department of Health and Human Services to ensure vaccines, drugs or tests are "affordable in the commercial market."

SBA's Small Business Economic Injury Disaster Loans to Be Administered under Baker-Polito Administration. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Baker-Polito Administration are working closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program which would provide assistance to eligible businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19. The first step in this process is to meet a minimum threshold of affected businesses within Massachusetts. To do this, affected small businesses and non-profits should download, complete, and submit the SBA EIDL Worksheet and Instructions to expedite activation of the EIDL program. Completed forms may be submitted by email to Disaster.Recovery@mass.gov or by fax to (508) 820-1401.
If submitting by fax, be sure to include an email address.

Additional Federal Legislation. As of this afternoon, Congress and the Trump Administration are negotiating a stimulus package that would address increased child care, paid sick leave, increased SNAP, extended unemployment benefits, free Coronavirus testing, protecting health care workers, strengthening Medicaid, and no price gouging. It is unclear whether the legislation will address a payroll tax cut or suspension, as President Trump has proposed, or targeted relief for certain affected industries.

Unemployment Insurance Flexibility. In a major development for companies concerned about lost income for their employees if they shut down or lay off employees due to the virus, the U.S. Department of Labor announced yesterday a new guidance outlining flexibilities that states will have in administering their unemployment insurance (UI) programs to assist employees affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The guidance is available to read here . Under the guidance, federal law permits significant flexibility for states to interpret or amend their laws to provide UI 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. Under the guidance, states will have greater assurance about the circumstances in which they are authorized to extend unemployment insurance benefits to Americans whose employment has been disrupted by Coronavirus. An individual receiving paid sick leave or paid family leave is still receiving pay and is not "unemployed," so the individual is ineligible for unemployment insurance. The Department's Employment and Training Administration will continue to assist any states seeking assistance in implementing these flexibilities.

EPA List of Disinfectants for Use against Coronavirus (COVID-19) . The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has information here regarding its emerging viral pathogen program for use against the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Amongst other resources on the EPA site, there is information regarding the CDC's cleaning and disinfection recommendations for COVID-19.

Wisconsin Information Resources

Governor Evers Declares a Public Health Emergency Amid the Quickly Expanding Developments.

In a written statement to Wisconsinites, Governor Evers declared a Public Health Emergency and laid out the state’s plan and information about where we can go for the most up-to-date information about the State’s efforts. In that statement he states: 

“On March 11, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. I know that folks across our state continue to be concerned about the current status of COVID-19 and the work we are doing to prevent further spread in Wisconsin. Earlier today I hosted a press conference to give an update to the people of our state about COVID-19 and I also signed Executive Order #72, which declares a public health emergency in Wisconsin. Executive Order #72 directs the DHS to take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and respond to incidents of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, and suspends any administrative rules that the DHS finds would increase the health threat or prevent, hinder, or delay our response to the COVID-19 emergency. It also directs the Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard to assist in our response to the public health emergency. Additionally, the DHS also issued new guidance regarding mass gatherings, travel, and long-term care and assisted living facilities. Please see the DHS website for these updates.

To read the Governor’s statement in whole, click here .

To go directly to the State’s CONVID -19 website, click here .
Wisconsin Auto & Truck Dealers Association | www.watda.org