• On Friday, Governor Newsom announced that $100 million of critical funding will be directed towards child care services for essential workers and vulnerable individuals. The funds are coming from the $1 billion committed to fighting COVID-19 in California as part of SB 89. To read more, click here.
  • On Friday, Governor Newsom also announced that steps are being taken to protect residents and employees of the nursing homes and residential care facilities of California. These steps include the training and deployment of 600 nurses in California to support the state’s response to COVID-19. They also include the creation of facilities specifically for residents who have tested positive to help reduce risk and decompress the regular facilities. To read more, click here.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA issued safety tips that employers can put in place to protect package delivery workers from coronavirus. It is important to note that these safety tips, including establishing flexible work hours and allowing workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth, are encouraged but not required.
    • This news comes as Amazon announces its intention to hire 75,000 more workers to keep up with the increased demand, and following a string of protests from Amazon warehouse workers who say the company’s protective measures have been insufficient.
  • Today, California Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara ordered insurance companies to refund premiums to drivers and businesses in light of the decrease in driving due to the crisis and shelter in place orders.
    • “With Californians driving fewer miles and many businesses closed due to the COVID-19 emergency, consumers need relief from premiums that no longer reflect their present-day risk of accident or loss… Today’s mandatory action will put money back in people’s pockets when they need it most.” – Commissioner Lara
    • Click here to read more
  • If you know someone who does not ordinarily file for a tax refund but should qualify for individual economic impact payments from the CARES Act, the IRS has launched a tool for such individuals to register quickly. To access this tool, click here.
    • If you do file for a tax refund and qualify for economic impact payments, check your bank account. Some individuals have started to receive their payments today.
  • President Trump is expected to announce tomorrow a task force entirely dedicated to the question of when to ease federal social distancing guidelines.

For more information about COVID-19’s impact on California’s political and administrative landscape, visit our coronavirus webpage.

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