Dear Neighbor,
It’s been a good news-bad news week. First, we were disappointed that extended learning was extended to the end of the school year. Our students, teachers and parents are doing a great job. For our students, please stay at it. Your goal of graduating is within reach.
For those seniors graduating under these unique circumstances it’s a bittersweet tribute to your resolve and drive. While it’s of little consolation today, this will be something you will be able to share with your kids and grandkids. When the going gets tough, the tough get going!
Before we shift to some better news, it’s important to remember the corona virus remains a very real threat. Minnesota continues to record additional positives and corona virus related deaths. Please continue to practice all the precautions to prevent spreading this virus.
This week Gov. Walz issued Emergency Order 20-40 which provides for reopening a number of business activities that were previously considered non-essential. This allows additional businesses in manufacturing, industrial, and certain office settings that are non-customer facing to reopen. It is anticipated this will help up to 100,000 Minnesotans return to work starting on Monday, April 27. Businesses must:
- Create a safety plan & share that plan with employees
- Plan must be in writing, signed off by employer and posted
- Conduct daily health screenings of employees upon their arrival
- Any employee found to be sick must be sent home immediately
- Continue teleworking whenever possible
The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has an optional template plan available to use as a starting point to develop a safety plan. The completed plan is not required to submitted to DLI for approval, but must be made available upon request.
Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today they have begun making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to people who are self-employed, independent contractors, and other eligible recipients who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. PUA is a temporary program funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
If you have already applied for unemployment, you don’t need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. If you have applied and not heard anything yet, DEED expects to be in touch with most individuals who are eligible for PUA by the end of April. More information is available at this website. Please be patient and safe.
Sincerely,
Dale