Mandated restaurant, bar, theater closures
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered the closure of dine-in services at restaurants and bars throughout the state. He also ordered gyms, casinos, theaters, coffeehouses, cigar bars, brewpubs and distillery pubs to close.
The order, effective at 8 a.m., March 17, allows restaurants to continue to serve meals for delivery or carry-out, but not for in-person service. It will stay in place for at least 30 days.
Emergency paid leave
Employers are required to provide employees up to four days of paid sick time if they are showing flu-like symptoms who are awaiting This rule is meant to limit the spread of highly contagious disease and enables workers in at-risk occupations to access testing.
Legislation
FEDERAL - On March 14, the House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a series of measures intended to bolster the safety net for families and workers whose livelihoods and health are affected by the virus. The bill calls for:
- Two weeks paid sick leave and up to three months paid family and medical leave equal to no less than two-thirds of a worker’s pay. Applies to employees of businesses with fewer than 500 employees and the government. Companies with fewer than 50 employees can be exempted. Tax credits would offset this cost for businesses.
- Free coronavirus testing for all
- $1 billion for food security programs including SNAP, foodbanks, delivery service for senior citizens, and children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
- $2 billion for emergency grants to states to assist with the processing and paying unemployment insurance.
Status: Pending approval in the Senate, which is expected this week.
COLORADO – The Colorado Legislature suspended its work for at least two weeks starting on March 14.
