[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The RI State House. RIDOH warns COVID-19 masks are a must as spread is likely outside the home.PROVIDENCE, RI — During a Commerce RI-coordinated a conference call April 15, Department of Labor Director Scott Jensen reported 154,000 Rhode Islanders had filed for unemployment.
Jensen cautioned some may be duplicate applications, so the number could be overstated. On April 7 alone, he said, there were 15,000 claims filed, according to the RI Chamber of Commerce Coalition.
About $107 million has been paid out as of last week, representing 1/5 of the amount available in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Should the fund be zeroed out by claims, the State will then borrow from the federal government to meet benefit requirements, Jensen said.
Jensen also said that companies that lay off employees due to coronavirus fallout, will not be penalized through their experience rating once the economy restarts and employment returns to normal.
Governor Raimondo announced that the State received $625 million in federal funds last week. A total of $1.25 billion is expected to be received – the remainder should reach the state treasury in the next couple weeks. However, federal guidelines as to exactly how the money can be used have not been provided to states yet. Those guidelines should be released soon.
Mask Requirement Reminder
Last week, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo signed an executive order about face coverings:
All employees of customer-facing businesses, office-based businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits and construction workers must wear cloth face coverings when they are at work.
Additionally, all customer-facing businesses must take steps to remind customers to wear face coverings.
The only exceptions are for anyone whose health would be in jeopardy because of wearing a face covering or any children under 2 years old.
Raimondo stated that businesses are NOT required to refuse entry or service to customers without masks. She acknowledged that some Mayors are choosing to order businesses in their towns to refuse entry to customers without masks. The Governor said those Mayors have the right to adopt a stricter ordinance than her state executive order.
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
![[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The RI State House. RIDOH warns COVID-19 masks are a must as spread is likely outside the home. Gov. Raimondo also announced new small business aid through a $10M loan program with Goldman Sachs.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RI-State-House-3.jpg)
![[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The RI State House. RIDOH warns COVID-19 masks are a must as spread is likely outside the home. Gov. Raimondo also announced new small business aid through a $10M loan program with Goldman Sachs.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RI-State-House-3-336x252.jpg)
