SS+D COVID-19 Response Team: State Update April 20, 2020

FEDERAL – PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM RUNS OUT OF CASH
No new loan applications will be accepted under the Paycheck Protection Program because it has run out of money. The funding for the $349 million SBA loan program was completely exhausted in just 13 days. Lawmakers are discussing measures to expand the program this week, so additional support for small businesses could be on the way. On a related note, at least one lawsuit has been filed against Wells Fargo, claiming the bank front-loaded the applications for larger, more lucrative, loans instead of processing the applications on a first-come, first-served basis. We anticipate more such lawsuits will be filed in the coming weeks.

STATE – UPDATES ON UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (INCLUDING FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED)
Lt. Governor Husted announced that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will begin providing an additional $600 per week to Ohio unemployment recipients, as authorized by the Federal CARES Act. ODJFS plans to begin processing these payments by the end of this week.

ODJFS plans to launch an online tool that will allow early application to permit self- employed, 1099 workers, to submit unemployment paperwork and get in line for review. The department expects to be able to begin processing these claims by May 15, 2020.

STATE – GOV. DEWINE CLOSES K-12 SCHOOLS FOR REMAINDER OF SCHOOL YEAR
Today, Governor DeWine announced that Ohio schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. It is not clear just yet if schools will reopen in the Fall, but Ohio is exploring a blended system for students to participate in a mix of remote and in-person learning.

STATE – GOV. DEWINE PLANS A GRADUAL REOPENING OF THE STATE ECONOMY
Governor DeWine announced Ohio will begin the process of reopening businesses on May 1. The plans to reopen will be gradual and will start with businesses that are capable of implementing social distancing and certain safety protocols. Although there are no finalized plans detailing how businesses will reopen, the process will be in phases with certain requirements for businesses, such as wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and practicing social distancing. We are seeing similar movements top reopen in other states.

STATE – GOV. DEWINE SUGGESTS RESUMING ELECTIVE SURGERIES
On April 15, Governor DeWine asked the Ohio Hospital Association to begin treating patients who had their elective procedures delayed or deferred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

STATE – WALK-IN LIQUOR SALES ARE LIMITED TO OHIO RESIDENTS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
In response to out-of-state folks coming to Ohio to purchase liquor, the in-person sale of liquor in the following counties is now restricted only to Ohio residents providing proof of residency: Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson, and Belmont.

ABOUT THE SS+D COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM
The SS+D COVID-19 Response Team was formed to provide clients, colleagues, and friends of the Firm updates for the foreseeable future on COVID-19 issues facing businesses, executives, and employees. Please let us know if there are any items/issues you would like for us to track or summarize.