A lot has changed over the last week with a constantly changing landscape. Our office will be distributing regular updates over the next few weeks with key developments for your business.
State Actions
- On Sunday, March 22th, under the direction of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH issued a director’s order to require all Ohioans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 beginning at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 23, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020. This order prohibits holding gatherings of any size and closes all nonessential businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Residents can return home from out of state and can leave the state. For more information on what this order means for you, please see ODH's FAQ's
- The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has announced that insurance premium installment payments due for March, April and May 2020 may be deferred until June 1, 2020 -- when the matter will be reconsidered. BWC will not cancel coverage or assess penalties for amounts not paid due to the pandemic. This action will keep $200 million in the state economy during this tough period, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said during Saturday's briefing.
- The latest JobsOhio's update says the state's weekly unemployment numbers suggest that March's jobless rate will be greater than 6%.
Assistance for Businesses
- The U.S. Small Business Administration will host its Coronavirus Disaster Assistance Loan webinar on Tuesday, March 24, at 11 a.m. (EDT). Register through Fastlane, which is West Central Ohio’s Ohio MEP.
- NEDC Board Member, Denny Camp from Payne Nickles & Co. shared the following: This article "FAQ's Regarding COVID-19 and Human Capital Tax Impact" is a good resource for you related to the new law for the Emergency Paid Leave (sick pay) and Paid Family Leave (E-FMLA). If you shut down you will want to do the Emergency Paid Leave first then the Paid Family Leave before most anything else you might do. This is because you will get a refundable credit back from the government under the two new plans. If you have employees that you need to put on unemployment before 4/2/20 (date the new requirements will begin) I’m assuming you will possibly be able to start paying them under the new laws beginning 4/2/20, which would be a better result for both the employee and the employer. Keep in mind that there are new regulations coming out almost daily so as things develop we will try to keep you informed or you can look on the Payne Nickles website for available updates.
Assistance for Manufacturers
- A Saturday update from NAM reports that leaders from the U.S. Senate, U.S. House and Trump administration continue to negotiate on a broad package of measures intended to provide relief to industries and workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow has indicated the net impact of the package could exceed $2 trillion.
- If one of your employees is diagnosed with COVID-19, there's currently limited guidance at this CDC page. During Friday's NAM-hosted conference call, CDC representatives said updated guidance for manufacturers is coming soon. We will share updated information when it's available.
- To help manufacturers prevent the spread of COVID-19, Safex is hosting a free webinar at 1 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, March 26 to help employers develop an infectious disease preparedness and response plan, as recommended by OSHA.
