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Last updated: 4/15/2020
One option to consider is whether you may be able to use Oregon's Work Share program. It helps employers prevent layoffs by reducing the schedules of workers, instead of laying them off, while benefits help to offset employees' lost wages.
Visit Business Oregon and the Small Business Administration to learn about financial resources that are available to your business.
Yes, employers can ask an employee returning from an affected area (or exposure to a person with the disease) to stay home. The incubation period for a coronavirus is typically 14 days. If someone develops the disease, they may be contagious for longer.
Any absence due to actual illness or an order by a public official declaring a public health emergency would trigger protected sick time. For employers covered by Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) or Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a progression of the disease could result in a serious health condition that qualifies for protected leave (and a right to access to any other paid leave bank).
Complete this online form if you'd like to donate services or resources.
Grocery stores may want to consider instituting the sale of ready-packed essential kits to limit exposure for workers and customers. Stores could offer a variety of pre-made kit options that include essentials and make them available for pick up or drive through.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits may be available to those who are on a temporary layoff. These benefits occur for claimants whose employer stops operation for a short period of time, such as cleaning following a coronavirus exposure. In these cases, employees expect to be back to work in four weeks or less. Workers can get UI benefits, and do not need to seek work with other employers. They must be able to work, stay in contact with you as their employer, and be available to work when you call them back to the job.
Also, check with your insurance company or agent to see if your policy covers an epidemic or pandemic. Most business interruption policies cover business closures for events such as fire, a burst pipe, or a windstorm.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission has rapid response services to plan for job transitions needed when a business closure or mass layoff occurs, including cases of natural and other disasters. Local Rapid Response teams coordinate with employer, worker representative, Trade Act and Labor.
Employers have a general duty to provide a place of employment free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Employees also have the protected right to raise good faith concerns about the health and safety of the workplace (even if the employee is wrong on the merits). A calm conversation about actual risks, supplemented with trusted material from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how viruses are transmitted may go a long way to alleviating concerns.
To clean your home and workplace and reduce the spread of COVID-19, look at your cleaning products. If it says it kills coronavirus on the label, it is EPA-approved and okay to use. Visit this webpage for more information about what areas to clean and disinfect.
Yes. Governor Brown called for districts to meet this challenge and has charged ODE to help.
There are options available to continue meal service at school and non-school sites through the Summer Food Service Program or Summer Seamless Option. The Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs (ODE CNP) encourages sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to use Program flexibilities to help ensure that there is no lapse in food security during a closure.
Yes, the closure applies to any schools that Education Service Districts (ESD) operates.
Governor Brown is extending Oregon's physical closures for post-secondary education systems through the end of the current academic term and school year. She directed school districts, community colleges, and universities to complete the final weeks of the regular academic year by continuing distance learning and support to students. Stay informed about the status of colleges and universities by visiting the Higher Education Coordinating Commission website.
Governor Kate Brown expanded Oregon's statewide school closure for the remainder of the school year.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released Oregon's Graduation Pathways 2020 to help seniors graduate on time. This is the result of collaboration with educators, administrators, culturally specific community-based organizations, and the education community. This guidance recognizes that this closure is impacting less than 2 percent of our seniors' time spent learning from kindergarten to grade 12. It is important that we honor the dedication and accomplishments of the class of 2020.
Schools are encouraged to organize with migrant education programs to arrange food transportation, so children do not go hungry during this time. Additional response steps can include Migrant Education directors completing phone calls to survey families informally and coordinating with local organizations.
School-based health centers or school social/wraparound services will stay open if they comply with Governor Brown's guidance.
The ECC is the state's unified emergency command center. The center has representatives from all major state agencies and is integrated with the Oregon Health Authority's public health response efforts, and the Office of the Governor. The ECC is focused on assisting local government response by working with county/tribal partners to ensure there is no disruption to critical services in Oregon. The following state agencies are represented in the ECC:
The ECC operates out of the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem. The center currently operates on an 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. basis with duty officer coverage 24/7. These hours will be expanded as needed.
Self-employed individuals generally do not pay Unemployment Insurance taxes and are not eligible for benefits. You can still file an application for a benefits claim.
Yes, you are encouraged to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits online.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries issues guidance related to Oregon's sick time and other leave time laws.
Oregonians can use Oregon Family Leave to take protected time off to care for their children during official school closures to limit the spread of coronavirus. This leave is not paid unless employees use available paid time off, they have, but it is protected. People who work for an employer that has at least 25 employees are eligible for OFLA.
If your employer expects the closure to be four weeks or less, you do not actively have to look for another job to receive benefits. To get benefits, you must:
No. There is no special documentation or placards for people going to work or permitted activities.
No. The Governor's Executive Order closes certain businesses, outlined in section (2) of the Executive Order. These businesses reflect operations that would make close contact difficult or impossible to avoid. Officers are not asking or looking for any type of special paperwork from your employer.
State and federal deadlines have been extended. All state taxes are now due on July 15, 2020. Learn more from the Oregon Department of Revenue.
Please call your WorkSource Oregon center to ask about alternative options for completing your appointments.
Paycheck Protection Program money is distributed by your employer. This federal loan program helps small businesses keep workers on payroll by providing up to $10 million for payroll and certain other expenses.
You can email questions to OED_UI_Info@oregon.gov
If you are sick for more than half the week or under quarantine, you would not be able and available to work. This is part of the requirements for UI eligibility. The Oregon Employment Department is working with partner agencies nationwide and the U.S. Department of Labor to seek benefit options for those missing work while quarantined.
While the Executive Order prohibits the public from congregating at a closed business, employers may still have work to do on site. If employees are not conducting business that is prohibited by the Executive Order, and maintaining physical distancing, it is okay to still be at the worksite. No “passes" or paperwork is required.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits may be available to those who are on a temporary layoff. These benefits occur for claimants whose employer stops operation for a short period of time, such as cleaning following a coronavirus exposure. In these cases, employees expect to be back to work in four weeks or less. Workers can get UI benefits, and do not need to seek work with other employers. They must be able to work, stay in contact with you as their employer, and be available to work when called back.
Generally, you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. You can file an initial claim to determine the possibility of receiving benefits.
If you are sick due to the coronavirus, you are likely not able and available to work, which would mean you cannot receive unemployment insurance benefits. Being able to work means that you are physically and mentally able to do the work you are looking for or usually do, unless:
If you are getting vacation or other leave pay while your employer is closed, you generally are not able to also receive unemployment insurance benefits.
Contact the Workers' Compensation Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services for information on filing a workers' compensation claim related to coronavirus. They can also be contacted at 800-452-0288 or workcomp.questions@oregon.gov.
Generally, you will be eligible for unemployment benefits. To find out if you are eligible, file an initial claim. We will gather information from you and your employer about your circumstances to determine your eligibility.
Generally, you will not be eligible for benefits if your employer is paying you to remain away from the site or as stand-by pay.
Contact the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) for any potential violation of existing Oregon OSHA rules or directives issued by Governor Kate Brown.
In this case, unemployment benefits would generally not be an option, because you must be willing to work and available for work you usually do. You can file a claim, and the Employment Department will gather information from you and your employer to see if benefits would apply.
You will generally not be eligible for unemployment benefits if you quit your job. You can still file an initial claim to find out if you can receive benefits.
Employers have a duty to provide a place of employment, free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. That said, privacy laws will prevent your employer from sharing any specific medical information of another employee.
The state has reached an agreement with several health insurance companies to waive co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles for their customers who need COVID-19 testing. Visit the Department of Consumer and Business Services webpage for more information.
If you do not have health insurance, you should apply for OHP coverage, which fully covers the cost of getting tested for COVID-19 if they need it. Sign up here.
If you don't want to sign up for OHP, we encourage you to see a clinician through your county health clinic or through a federally qualified health center (FQHC). You can find a list of FQHCs in Oregon here.
Effective March 25, 2020, all executive branch state agencies are closed to the public until further notice. However, many offices will continue to offer services by phone or online during this time. Please contact the individual agency for more information.
Last updated: 4/30/2020
Currently there is no evidence of food, food containers, or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Like other viruses, it is possible that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects.
If you are concerned about contamination of food or food packaging, wash your hands after handling food packaging, after removing food from the packaging, before you prepare food for eating and before you eat. Consumers can follow CDC guidelines on frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has restricted and limited entry in all licensed facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult foster homes, intellectual or developmental disability group homes and provider-owned supported living sites. Facilities will be closed when residents or staff have symptoms or are being tested for COVID-19.
Here are some helpful ideas:
Effective March 17, 2020, the Oregon Lottery disabled play on its statewide network of Video Lottery terminals until further notice. Terminals will remain in the field and Lottery staff will continue providing scheduled maintenance.
The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancelations during this coronavirus outbreak. Blood donation centers are taking every precaution to ensure donating is safe, including screening, sanitizing, and physical distancing.
Pantries and food assistance sites across the state remain open — with increased cleaning and changes in service to help minimize contact among groups of people. If you need assistance, send an email to gethelp@oregonfoodbank.org or call (503) 505-7061. A team of navigators is available between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
You may be eligible for Employment Related Day Care. Contact the Oregon Department of Human Services by phone or online to see if you qualify.
Please call the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline to report suspected child abuse or neglect at 1-855-503-(SAFE)7233. More resources are available at the Oregon Child Welfare website.
Get alcohol and drug rehabilitation help by doing any of the following:
View a list of school districts who are offering meal service to students.
Oregon Food Bank: By phone at 503-505-7061, by email at gethelp@oregonfoodbank.org, or use their online food finder website. They also are seeking volunteers to box and deliver food, if you are under the age of 60 and don't face higher risks for COVID-19. Please visit their volunteer webpage.
Partners for a Hunger-free Oregon: Offers resources and information to access basic food needs, including locations where families can get meals for kids during the school closure.
211 Food Information: Information and referrals to food resources across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Disaster Distress Helpline
800-985-5990Text “TalkWithUs" to 66746
If your employer has an Employee Assistance Program, reach out to them. EAP programs are often included in medical insurance coverage. EAP programs provide professional counselors who can guide you over the phone or in office visits. If needed, they can refer you to a provider in your medical plan
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
800-273-8255 (English)888-628-9454 (Spanish)
Veterans may contact the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs or if you're experiencing an emergency, call the veterans crisis line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.
NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness
View this online resource guide for questions about stress management, working from home, feelings of isolation and loneliness.
People who violate the Governor's Order in an Emergency Declaration could be arrested or cited, which is a Class C Misdemeanor- the lowest level of criminal conduct designation. All Oregon law enforcement are united on the premise that police action is extremely undesirable, and we hope Oregonians comply with the Governor's Order. Citation or arrest would be an extreme last resort if a person failed to comply with the lawful direction of a police officer.
No. The level of this violation is not for reporting police, fire or medical emergencies through 911. People may choose to self-educate their fellow Oregonians or if a large gathering is noted, they may call their respective police agency's non-emergency number.
Not for violation of the Governor's Executive Order, which specifically outlines efforts to avoid large gatherings, not restrict the movement of Oregonians. If, however, you are committing a traffic violation or crime that would be enforced independent of the order, you may be stopped, like any other day.
Most fishing and hunting seasons remain open to residents in Oregon if participants maintain physical distancing and other guidelines set forth in the Governor's Stay Home, Save Lives order.
While seasons are open, access to many areas are closed. State Parks are closed, national forests have closed established recreation areas and some counties and cities have closed access to boat ramps or other locations. Please check the access restrictions where you are headed before going.
Physical distancing helps stop the spread of COVID-19. Maintaining a six-foot distance from others helps ODFW and other agencies like the US Coast Guard, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriffs' Association keep recreation areas open.
While all events are canceled (such as family fishing event or hunter education classes), lakes and ponds are still being stocked. All normal hunting and fishing regulations are in effect and people must do their part to maintain proper physical distancing. Check the ODFW website for the latest information.
All non-essential social and recreational gatherings outside of a home are prohibited until further notice.
The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed many of its developed recreation facilities in Oregon to help limit the spread of COVID-19 including all campgrounds, and some day use sites, and restrooms. Trash pickup and sanitation services on most of these recreation facilities has also been suspended.
Officers will likely approach the youth and educate them on the Executive Order. Citations and arrest are extremely unlikely and reserved for only extreme circumstances.
The Oregon Short Term Fund, which is used by the state and local governments to keep operating funds safe, is not invested in the stock market.
Separately, the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF) is diversified across multiple asset classes. Strategies are based on the long-term financial horizon – not a single episode or economic cycle - and investment decisions are made to stand over the long haul, in both up and down markets. Treasury has taken deliberate steps over the past several years to make OPERF more resilient in anticipation of changing environments, including reducing and rebalancing risk, moving to lower cost index funds, and increasing corporate governance activities to ensure that our investment practices pursue strategies that produce strong, sustainable long-term results. This does not mean OPERF is immune to market volatility. Instead, it means the portfolio is better positioned to weather all types of economic and financial market conditions.
A state Declaration of Emergency establishes directions to, and expectations of state agencies to use available resources to assist local communities and alleviate disaster conditions.
The Governor's declaration on coronavirus also grants broad authority to the State Public Health Director, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to take immediate action and devote all available state resources towards containing the coronavirus in Oregon.
Some DMV offices are open by appointment only. Visit DMV2U.oregon.gov to learn more.
As of March 17, 2020, all Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) vehicle inspection stations are closed until at least April 15.
Yes, generally. Some rest areas are connected to parks, which are currently closed to comply with the Governor's Executive Order.
As of March 16, 2020, a suspension is in place on certain regulations, including those relating to enforcement of size and weight permits, hours of service for trucking, and the following:
The Governor requested that President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security extend the REAL ID deadline for one-year. This will help ensure Oregonians will not be adversely impacted when attempting to travel domestically.
The DMV has partnered with Oregon law enforcement to exercise discretion in their enforcement of driver licenses, vehicle registrations and trip permits that expire during the COVID-19 emergency.
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