“A note from OGA: We understand you have been receiving multiple alerts from us every day; but each message is important and contains information that is as current as the reports we receive from our legislators and national news and health sources. We will continue to provide our members with the latest news on the Coronavirus pandemic as well as updates on events that directly affect you and the industry during these anxious times.”

As you may have seen or heard, Governor DeWine announced in his daily press conference more precautions that will be mandated due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:
 
Additional Business Closures:
  1. Governor DeWine announced additional business closures to include gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, bowling alleys, indoor water parks, movie theaters, and trampoline parks.
  2. The order will take effect at the close of business Monday.
  3. New orders comes as the CDC altered its guidelines to avoid gatherings above 50 people.
Primary Election:
  1. Governor Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose recommended that Ohio’s Tuesday primary be suspended until June 2. For a full press release on what Secretary of State Frank LaRose had to say about the Primary Election, please click HERE
  2. A lawsuit will be filed in Columbus to force the suspension of the primary election tomorrow.
  3. The recommendation is to cancel in-person voting Tuesday, allow absentee voting to continue, and move in-person voting to June 2.
Jobs:
  1. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said it had received 12,000 unemployment insurance benefit applications online as of Sunday night, compared to under 600 the same time a week ago.
Confirmed Cases:
  1. 50 confirmed cases in Ohio in 12 counties
  2. Number of counties with cases: Belmont (2), Butler (6), Cuyahoga (24), Franklin (3), Geauga (1), Lorain (3), Lucas (1), Medina (2), Stark (3), Summit (2), Trumbull (2), Tuscarawas (1)
  3. Age range: 14-86
  4. 30 males, 20 females
  5. 14 hospitalized
  6. 333 cumulative number of individuals under health supervision
 
Message from ODH:
 
ODJFS Provides Common WARN Number to Speed Processing of COVID-19-Related Unemployment Benefits
 
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is instructing Ohio employers planning layoffs or shutdowns as a result the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to share the following mass lay-off number with their employees to speed the processing of unemployment benefits: 2000180 . The agency also is providing instructions for employers to share with their employees about how to apply for benefits.
 
“This measure will expedite the processing of benefits for individuals who lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic and allow them to receive their first benefit payments as quickly as possible,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall. “We want to make sure all employers are aware of this number so that we can provide seamless service when processing claims.”
 
Ohioans can apply for unemployment online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at  unemployment.ohio.gov . It also is possible to file by phone at (877) OHIO-JOB (1-877-644-6562) or TTY at (888) 642-8203, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Employers with questions should email [email protected] .
 
For more information about COVID-19 in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.                                                                                                  
 
Helpful Links:
What should you do as an employer?: click  here .
What to do if an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19 ?: click  here . 
COVID-19 and food safety/safe food products ?: click  here .  
Guidance from OSHA: click here
 
 
Financial Analysis from OGA’s Partner, Wells Fargo:


Other Stories on the National Front:
 


Courtesy of Frost Brown Todd/Civic-Point (OGA’s contract lobbyists)
Ohio Grocers Association
1335 Dublin Road, Suite 207B
Columbus, OH 43215