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What You Need to Know About COVID-19

The Coronavirus was first discovered during an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms often do not appear in a person until 2 to 14 days after exposure.

Prepare Yourself and Your Family

The best way to avoid contracting COVID-19 is by practicing vital social distancing procedures. It is recommended to work remotely and severely limit contact with others.

If you think you have come into contact with someone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or are exhibiting them yourself, please follow the instructions on the graphic below:

PA’s Response to COVID-19

Governor Tom Wolf announced his recommendation to close all non-essential businesses statewide by midnight as a matter of public health to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that all branches will be closed. Due to the shutdown, All driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner’s permits scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through April 30, 2020, the expiration date is now extended until May 31, 2020. For more information refer to PennDoT’s website.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) announced that cash and credit cards payments are no longer accepted on the PA Turnpike as of March 16 at 8PM to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Customers should not stop at tollbooths. For non-E-ZPass customers, a picture of their license plate will be taken and they will be billed by mail within 30 days until further notice. Invoices can be paid online, by phone, or by mail. For more information on how it works, visit: www.nocashzone.com.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced the closure of all facilities statewide located in Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks and 20 forest districts. These closures took place on March 17 and will last for 14 days. The public will still be able to access opens spaces like trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking.

Closed facilities include:

• Park and forest offices and visitor centers
• Restrooms
• Campgrounds, cabins and all forms of overnight accommodations
• Public programs, events, and trainings are canceled

To get the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, be sure to check out the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s daily report.

Unemployment Compensation

If your job has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits. You can apply online to get started.

Please note that the waiting week has been suspended. Eligible claimants may receive benefits for the first week that they are unemployed. Previously, claimants were not eligible for benefits during their first week of unemployment.

Work search and work registration requirements have been temporarily waived for all claimants. Claimants are not required to prove they have applied or searched for a new job to maintain UC benefits. Claimants are also not required to register with PA Career Link.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides payment to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.

Covered:

• Diagnosed with COVID-19 or with COVID-19 symptoms and seeking diagnosis
• Member of household has been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Providing care for family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19
• Primary caregiver for child unable to attend school or another facility closed due to COVID-19
• Unable to reach place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because advised by medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19
• Scheduled to commence new employment and cannot reach workplace as direct result of COVID-19
• Became major breadwinner because head of household died from COVID-19
• Quit job as a direct result of COVID-19
• Place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19
• Self-employed / Independent Contractors / 1099 filers / Farmers – and affected by COVID-19
• Seeking part-time employment but affected by COVID-19
• With insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19
• Otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19

Not Covered:

• Individuals that can telework with pay
• Individual receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits (regardless of meeting a category listed above)

Important Links:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQs
• Filing for PUA Cover Page
• Apply Now!

Federal CARES Act

On Friday, Governor Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The COVID-19 relief package temporarily provides an additional $600 per week, makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits and extends unemployment compensation (UC) benefits for an additional 13 weeks. The federal benefits are in addition to Pennsylvania’s regular unemployment benefit, which is about half of a person’s full-time weekly income up to $572 per week for 26 weeks.

As part of the CARES Act, unemployment benefits are being expanded to provide an additional $600 per week beginning the week ending April 4, 2020, through the week ending July 25, 2020. This temporary emergency increase in benefits is referred to as the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program.

On Friday, Labor & Industry issued the first $600 payments. All eligible claimants that filed biweekly claims for the week ending April 4 and who received their regular UC payment should expect to see the additional money either today or Wednesday. For other eligible claimants who have not yet received a regular UC payment, they will receive the extra $600 the week after receiving their first UC payment.

It is very important to note that anyone who currently has federal withholding tax taken out of their benefits will see the same 10% reduction in the FPUC payment, resulting in a $540 payment. For information about changing your withholding election, visit L&I’s Taxes on Benefits page.
The $600 is paid separately from the biweekly UC benefit, and residents do not need to apply.
Visit the department’s FPUC frequently asked questions for more information.

The CARES Act also temporarily makes unemployment compensation available to self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others not normally eligible for the benefit. The program is referred to as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These workers cannot apply through the department’s UC online system at this time. The U.S. Department of Labor requires that PUA be tracked separately from regular UC. For this reason, Pennsylvania must build a new online platform to process PUA benefits.

Eligible individuals should be able to start applying for PUA benefits within the next two weeks. Eligible claimants will receive backdated payments to January 27, 2020, or the first week they were unable to work due to COVID-19, whichever of the two dates is later. The PUA benefit will end December 31, 2020. The department will announce when the PUA benefit application is available. Please visit L&I’s PUA frequently asked questions for more information.

The CARES Act provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment compensation, including for workers who exhaust their regular unemployment benefits. Claimants will be eligible for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) from the week beginning March 29, 2020, through the end of the year. The department is awaiting additional federal guidance about the program and will provide an update when information is available.

Additional Information for workers impacted by COVID-19:

• Employment benefits webpage
• Employment benefits guide
• Frequently asked questions
• Tips for filing an initial UC claim
• Start a new claim video

Mitigation efforts related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania have required everyone to work within rapidly changing, complex circumstances which create a variety of unique situations and conditions for workers, businesses, employers and communities. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing workers and business communities with ongoing guidance, resources, and information. This page is updated regularly.

Use our Keep Yourself Safe at Work During a COVID-19 Pandemic one-pager for safety information and resources.

Workers impacted by COVID-19 can also visit our Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19 page for the latest updates.

COVID-19 Guide: Scenarios & Benefits Available Chart (PDF)

Taxes

Good news! The IRS has agreed to extend the tax filing deadline for 90 days. The new deadline to submit taxes has been pushed back July 15. The PA Department of Revenue is happy to assist you with any questions you have via their online portal.

Click the graphic below to be taken to their online portal and FAQ page:

PennDOT/Real ID Updates

All Driver License Centers and Photo License Centers in Pennsylvania are closed until further notice effective close of business on Monday, March 16.

Customers may complete various transactions and access multiple resources via our website: www.dmv.pa.gov.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has extended expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, and learner’s permits in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Effective April 30, expiration dates for driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner’s permits scheduled to expire March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2020, are now extended through June 30, 2020. These extensions are in addition to those announced on March 27.

Additionally, all Driver License Centers and Photo License Centers in Pennsylvania are closed until further notice effective close of business on March 16.

As a reminder, customers may complete various transactions and access multiple resources via the Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

e services.

Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021

The Department of Homeland Security has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.

PennDOT closed all driver and photo license centers on March 16 and paused REAL ID issuance in the state out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health. Centers will reopen no sooner than April 3. PennDOT also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the agency consider extending the October 1, 2020 REAL ID enforcement deadline.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes. A federally-acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must now be used on and after October 1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires a federally acceptable form of identification ID for access.

REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs once issuance has resumed.

More information about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Protect Your Business

Small businesses are the backbone of our Commonwealth and this nation! Check out some helpful resources below.

COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) last week announced that program guidelines and additional details for the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Grants are now available on DCED’s website.

Under the program, $225 million is available for COVID-19 relief to small businesses through a distribution to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) for loan payment deferment and portfolio loan loss reserves, main street business revitalization grants, and historically disadvantaged business revitalization grants.

The funds will be available through three programs:

• $100 million for the Main Street Business Revitalization Program for small businesses that experienced loss as a result of the governor’s March 19, 2020 order relating to the closure of all non-life-sustaining businesses and have or will incur costs to adapt to new business operations related to COVID-19;
• $100 million for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Program for small businesses that experienced loss as a result of the business closure order, have or will incur costs to adapt to new business operations related to COVID-19, and in which socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51 percent interest and also control management and daily business operations.
• $25 million for the Loan Payment Deferment and Loss Reserve Program, which will allow the CDFIs the opportunity to offer forbearance and payment relief for existing portfolio businesses that are struggling due to the impact of COVID, as well as shore up the financial position of the CDFIs that are experiencing significant increased defaults in their existing loan portfolios.

Eligible businesses with 25 or fewer employees may receive a maximum grant of $50,000 so long as the business was in operation on February 15, 2020 and, if required, paid income taxes to the state and federal government, as reported on individual or business tax returns; COVID-19 has had an adverse economic impact and makes this grant request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the applicant; the grant will be used cover COVID-19 related costs; and during the period beginning on June 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020, the applicant has not and will not receive another grant under this state program.

For more information about the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), visit the DCED website.

Essential Agriculture Businesses The PA Department of Agriculture has developed the following guidelines and recommendations for essential agricultural businesses to help ensure a safe and accessible food supply during the COVID-19 mitigation efforts:

• Farm and On-Farm Deliveries
• Food Processors and Manufacturers
• Farmers Markets and On-Farm Markets
• Dairy Guidance

Small Business Loan: The Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) are working to provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The DCED is offering working capital loans that could be of assistance to businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information will be posted to the DCED website as they become available.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in addition to local funding partners, may also be a source of assistance for affected businesses with funding opportunities up to $2 million. Learn more on how to apply here.

For questions, please call SBA Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail).

Protect Yourself

Medical Costs

As of March 9, the Governor announced that all major health insurers in Pennsylvania have agreed to cover “medically appropriate” COVID-19 testing and treatment.

The 10 major insurers are:

• Aetna
• Capital Blue Cross
• Cigna
• Geisinger
• Highmark
• Independence BlueCross
• Oscar
• Pennsylvania Health & Wellness
• UnitedHealthcare
• UPMC Health Plan

For anyone with questions about their insurance policy, please contact your insurer or the Pennsylvania State Insurance Department with questions. They can also be reached at (877) 881-6388.

Remote Medical Attention and Care

Health officials are urging people who have symptoms to stay home and contact their doctor remotely rather than opting for an in-person visit. Nearly all major health systems offer some form of virtual visits and assistance. Some insurers do, too. People interested in a specific virtual visit should check to see what illnesses it can be used for. Be sure to reach out to your insurance provider to verify this service is covered with your plan.

Here’s an brief overview of virtual visit services offered to local residents:

Capital BlueCross – is offering free medical Virtual Care visits for members who currently have the Virtual Care benefit.  The waiving of fees will be effective March 13 through April 15, 2020.

Highmark – is providing many of their members with a virtual clinic visit service. Any fees related to COVID-19 will be waived.

UPMC Pinnacle – is welcoming Online Video Visits for those experience flu like symptoms or just in need of a follow-up appointment.  Video visits are available through the MyPinnacleHealth portal for $49.

WellSpan Health – WellSpan Online Urgent Care offers a video visits with Teladoc physicians for patients 3 months and older for their standard fee of $49.

CALLING ALL PSYCHOLOGIST! Things may be picking up for you at this time, so we want to make sure you are covered too. Here are some COVID-19 resources on how to best protect yourself and serve your patients from the Pennsylvania Psychologist Association.

Utilities Update

SEPTA announced that starting Tuesday, March 17, their weekday Regional Rail service will operate on a Severe Weather Service Plan until further notice. When the Severe Weather Service Plan is in effect, Regional Rail operates on an enhanced Saturday schedule service level (including added service for Cynwyd line & Wilmington/Newark service.) The Airport Regional Rail Line will operate on a normal Saturday schedule with service every 30 minutes.

PECO is servicing any previous disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1, 2020. In addition, PECO will continue to remind customers of existing bill assistance resources and energy assistance programs to support them through temporary or extended financial hardship. Learn more about assistance resources from PECO 

Met-Ed has temporarily discontinued all power shutoffs for customers who are past due on their electric bills as of March 13.

Comcast agreed to increase access to and speeds of internet essentials’ low-income internet service to support Americans through the coronavirus pandemic. To receive the increased Internet speeds, existing customers will not need to do anything. The new speeds will be rolled out nationally over the next few days. For all new customers, a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router. There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee. Call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish OR below to learn more or on their website.

Aqua PA announced that as of March 13th, Aqua initiated a customer termination moratorium and will discontinue non-emergency service shut-offs. Aqua customers can stay up to date on any water service emergencies impacting their area by signing up to receive our Water Smart Alerts by phone, email and/or text. Customers should visit AquaAmerica.com and click the Water Smart Alerts tab.

Pennsylvania American Water agreed to a moratorium and discontinuing service shut offs at this time. They  will continue to evaluate this moratorium as more information becomes available. Additionally, Pennsylvania American Water will begin the restoration of service to previously shut-off customers. More information is available here.

*Be sure to check with your utilities provider to see how they can best accommodate your needs!

School Districts

Governor Tom Wolf announced that all K-12 Pennsylvania schools will be closed for 10 business days effective Monday, March 16. At the end of 10 days he will reevaluate and decide whether continued closure is needed. 

**No school district will be penalized if it fails to meet the 180 day or school hours requirements.**

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that it received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow eligible schools to serve meals to low income students in a non-congregate setting, such as a drive-through or grab and go, during this closure.

For more guidance and a complete list of resources provided for school communities, be sure to read the information provided on the by the PA Department of Education.

Federal Stimulus Package – ‘Putting Workers First‘

A bipartisan, robust third COVID-19 bill that will immediately bolster our health care response and our economy.

Unemployment Insurance: ($260 billion)

A massive investment in the UI program as well as critical reforms to make the program more effective for workers. In the wake of the economic recession caused by the coronavirus the UI program is an essential a long-term lifeline for millions of workers during this crisis.

• Full Paycheck Replacement: $600 increase for every American, which equates to 100 percent of wages for the average American without a paycheck struggling through the Crisis
• Waiving Waiting Weeks: Gets money in people’s pockets sooner by providing federal incentives for states to eliminate waiting weeks.
• Extension of Benefits: An additional 13 weeks of federally-funded unemployment insurance benefits are immediately be made available.
• Expanding Access: Allow part-time, self-employed, and gig economy workers to access UI benefits.

Marshall Plan For Our Health System ($150 billion)

An unprecedented and historic investment for our health care system in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The new $150 billion fund is widely available to all types of hospitals and providers most affected by COVID-19, and it will be available to fund whatever is needed to defeat this virus.

This includes:

• Equipment and Infrastructure: Personal and protective equipment for health care workers, testing supplies, increased workforce and training, new construction to house patients, emergency operation centers and more.
• Enhanced Health Investments: Additional funding is also dedicated to delivering Medicare payment increases to all hospitals and providers to ensure that they receive the funding they need during this crisis, and new investments in our country’s Strategic National Stockpile, surge capacity and medical research into COVID-19.

Robust Worker and Transparency Protections on Government Loans

• No stock buybacks or dividends for the length of any loan provided by the Treasury plus 1 year.
• Restrictions on any increases to executive compensation.
• Protect collective bargaining agreements.
• Real-time public reporting of Treasury transactions under the Act, including terms of loans, investments or other assistance to corporations.
• Prohibition on businesses controlled by the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and heads of Executive Departments getting loans or investments from Treasury programs.
• Creation of Treasury Department Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery to provide oversight of Treasury loans and investments and a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to protect taxpayer dollars. • Creation of a Congressional Oversight Commission to enhance legislative oversight of pandemic response.

Small Business Rescue Plan ($377 billion)

• $350 billion in loan forgiveness grants to small businesses and non-profits to maintain existing workforce and help pay for other expenses like rent, mortgage, and utilities.
• $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for small business operating costs. • $17 billion for SBA to cover 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans.

Protected Over 2 Million Aviation Industry Jobs

• Democrats secured direct payroll payments to keep millions of airline workers on the job and receiving paychecks.
• Airline companies will be prohibited from stock buybacks and dividends for the entire life of the grant plus one year.
• Collective Bargaining Agreements negotiated by workers will be protected.

Increased Direct Payments to Working Americans

• Democrats fought to double cash payments to the working class Americans from $600 to $1,200
• An additional $500 cash payment is available per child.
• The full payment is available for individuals making up to $75,000 (individual) and $150,000 (married).
• The value begins decreasing and then phases out completely for those making over the full payment income cap.

State and Local Coronavirus Expenditures Fund ($150 billion)

To assist States, Tribes, and local governments that must pay for new expenses related to COVID-19 response.

• $150 billion, with a small-state minimum of $1.25 billion
• Tribal set-aside of $8 billion

Emergency Appropriations ($330 billion, including $100 billion for hospitals and providers mentioned above)

• $16 billion to replenish the Strategic National Stockpile supplies of pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies, which are distributed to State and local health agencies, hospitals and other healthcare entities facing shortages during emergencies.
• $1 billion for the Defense Production Act to bolster domestic supply chains, enabling industry to quickly ramp up production of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and other urgently needed medical supplies, and billions dollars more for federal, state, and local health agencies to purchase such equipment.
• $4.3 billion to support federal, state, and local public health agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus, including for the purchase of personal protective equipment; laboratory testing to detect positive cases; infection control and mitigation at the local level to prevent the spread of the virus; and other public health preparedness and response activities.
• $45 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, more than doubling the available funding, to provide for the immediate needs of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as private non-profits performing critical and essential services, to protect citizens and help them recover from the overwhelming effects of COVID-19. Reimbursable activities may include medical response, personal protective equipment, National Guard deployment, coordination of logistics, safety measures, and community services nationwide.
• $30.75 billion for grants to provide emergency support to local school systems and higher education institutions to continue to provide educational services to their students and support the on-going functionality of school districts and institutions.
• $25 billion in aid to our nation’s transit systems to help protect public health and safety while ensuring access to jobs, medical treatment, food, and other essential services.
• $10 billion in grants to help our nation’s airports as the aviation sector grapples with the most steep and potentially sustained decline in air travel in history.
• $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant to provide child care assistance to health care sector employees, emergency responders, sanitation workers, and other workers deemed essential during the response to the coronavirus.
• More than $7 billion for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs. This funding will help low-income and working class Americans avoid evictions and minimize any impacts caused by loss of employment, and child care, or other unforeseen circumstances related to COVID-19, and support additional assistance to prevent eviction and for people experiencing homelessness
• More than $6.5 billion in Federal funding for CDBG, the Economic Development Administration, and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to help mitigate the local economic crisis and rebuild impacted industries such as tourism or manufacturing supply chains.
• $400 million in election assistance for the states to help prepare for the 2020 election cycle, including to increase the ability to vote by mail, expand early voting and online registration, and increase the safety of voting in-person by providing additional voting facilities and more pollworkers. • $2 billion in funding to strengthen response capacity and support tribal governments: o $1.03 billion to the Indian Health Service to support tribal health care system response efforts; o $100 million more for the USDA Food Distribution Program for Indian Reservations; o $453 million to assist tribes through the Bureau of Indian Affairs; o $69 million to help tribal schools, colleges and universities through for the Bureau of Indian Education; and o $300 million more to the HUD Indian Tribal Block Grant program. • $1 billion to recapitalize Amtrak after steep ridership declines related to the outbreak. This will keep thousands of Amtrak employees employed, and ensure America’s intercity passenger rail stays on track, continuing service in the Northeast and nationwide.

Student Loan Relief

• To alleviate the pressure of student loan costs during this crisis, Senate Democrats fought for the inclusion of tax relief encouraging employers to implement student loan repayment programs. This provision will exclude up to $5,250 in qualifying student loan repayments paid by the employer on behalf of the employee from income for income tax purposes.

Some helpful links to understand the Federal Stimulus Package:

• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
• The Tax Foundation

Status of your stimulus check

• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
• The Tax Foundation

How to Stay Informed

Below is an extensive list of information, statistics, and resources to ensure you stay up-to-date with any changes happening due to COVID-19.

Pennsylvania Department of Health

• The PA DoH Daily COVID-19 report. Updated regularly throughout the day.
• Follow the PA Health Department on Twitter.
• Follow them on Facebook.

A complete list of information and resources available to you by county:

Lackawanna County

Luzerne County

Monroe County

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Track confirmed cases in the US. (This site is updated weekdays at noon and shows numbers that were current as of 4 p.m. the previous day.)
• CDC provided information regarding “What you should know about COVID-19” 
• Follow the CDC on Twitter.
• Follow the CDC on Facebook.
• Learn how best to prevent “community transition” with specific details on what to do before, during, and after outbreaks.

World Health Organization

• Learn what’s happening Worldwide with the WHO’s Daily report. The most recent report is located at the top of the page. It includes confirmed case and death tallies.
• Additional COVID-19 information is provided on their website.
• Stay informed on Twitter.
• Follow their Facebook page.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provided for the expansion of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This is a federal program administered by the US Department of Labor.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published its first round of implementation guidance pursuant to the FFCRA yesterday.

The following was provided to us as guidance by the USDOL and has been posted on our website.  The  information can be found at: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/Pages/FFCRA.aspx

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.  The United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.  Please read the below fact sheets to determine if you are eligible.

• Fact Sheet for Employees
• Fact Sheet for Employers
• Questions and Answers