COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is affecting every segment of society including the insurance marketplace. As such, we have received numerous inquiries regarding potential coverage implications for many different lines of insurance. In an effort to provide our clients with a building resource center, we have included pertinent links and/or articles below that provide various opinions and perspectives.

We hope you find this useful.

Dave Garcia
President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

To access additional frequently asked HR questions, login to your RM365 HRAdvantage™ Portal.

Cal/OSHA Releases Final COVID-19 ETS

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Cal/OSHA released its third and final version of its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and was approved by the Standards Board at its April 21, 2022 meeting. The revised standard is expected to remain in effect from May 6, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

Rancho Mesa has revised its COVID-19 Prevention Program template based on the April 6, 2022 proposed revised ETS language and will update the template if any additional changes were made prior to approval by the Office of Administrative Law on May 5, 2022. 

California Releases SMARTER Plan to deal with COVID-19 in Future

On Thursday, February 17, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state’s new SMARTER Plan for moving California forward from a pandemic into an endemic.

Federal OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard Addressing Mandatory Employee COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing

On November 4, 2021, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its new COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that will affect millions American workers.

While states are challenging the legality of the new ETS requirements, it’s likely states with their own OSHA plans will adopt the new ETS as their own.

CDC Reopening Guidance

Business and Workplace Reopening Guidance:

• Preparing Small Businesses and Employees

• Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Worker Safety and Support

• Additional Information

OSHA REopening Guidance

• Guidance on Preparing Workplace for COVID-19

• COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce

• Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Guidance for Construction, In-Home Repair Services

• Guidance for Healthcare

Ca Reopening Guidance

COVID-19 Guidance by Industry:

• Limited Services (Construction/Trades, Janitorial, Landscaping, etc.)

• Schools and School-Based Programs

• Office Workspaces

• Other Industries

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

This bill addresses economic impacts of, and otherwise responds to, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and includes:

• Small businesses

• Tax rebates for individuals

• Limits on requirements for employers to provide paid leave

• Healthcare

• Education

Apple and CDC Release COVID-19 Screening Tool

This tool can help you understand what to do next about COVID-19.

Let’s all look out for each other by knowing our status, trying not to infect others, and reserving care for those in need.

This site was developed in partnership with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is not meant as an endorsement of any Apple products.

Video: COVID-19 HR Guidance & BEst Practices Webinar

(Recorded April 14, 2020)
NOTE: “Since this webinar was recorded, the DOL has changed its guidance on the use of PTO during EFMLA. The DOL is now advising that once the unpaid 10 days of EFMLA are over, employers can require an employee to use up any available paid time off, such as vacation or personal time (but not sick leave) and can claim a $200 or 2/3 credit against it (whichever is smaller). Once the employee runs out of paid time off, the employer must continue to pay the smaller of $200 or 2/3 until EFMLA ends.”

To access these resources, login to your RM365 HRAdvantage™ account.

• Live HR Expert Advice via Phone or Email

• COVID-19 Frequently Asked HR Questions and Answers

• Two-Minute Webinars Covering COVID-19 HR Topics

• Sample Work-from-Home (Telecommuting) Policy & Agreement

• Sample Furlough and Essential Workers Letters

• Online Courses like Managing Communications and Teams while Telecommuting, and Pandemic Flu Awareness.

• COVID-19 Safety Plan/Return-to-Work Plan Resources

For instructions on how to find these resources in the RM365 HRAdvantage™ Portal, CLICK HERE.

To access these resources, login to your Risk Management Center account.

• Training materials in English and Spanish

• Checklists for the workplace and jobsite sanitation, communication and more

• Guides for prevention and social distancing

• Forms for health screening and acknowledgement of policies

• Sample Written Program and Site-Specific Plans

• Online COVID-19 General Awareness Training

• COVID-19 Safety Plan/Return-to-Work Plan Resources

Review our instructions on how to find these resources in the Risk Management Center.

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease

• Guidance For Unvaccinated People: How to Protect Yourself & Others

• Public Health Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak

• Keeping the Workplace Safe

• Mitigation Strategies for Communities

• What to do if you are sick with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (English)(Spanish)(Chinese)

• Stop the spread of germs (English)(Spanish)(Chinese)

• Symptoms of Coronavirus (English)(Spanish)

• COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard

• Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace

• COVID-19 Background

• Hazard Recognition

• Medical Information

• Standards

• Control and Prevention

  • Construction Work

• Additional Resources

• Recording cases of COVID-19 (until May 25, 2020; since May 26, 2020)

• Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards

• COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions

• COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Construction

• Guidance for the General Industry on Novel Coronavirus Disease

• Guidance for Protecting Workers from COVID-19 tri-fold brochure

• Recording and Reporting Requirements for COVID-19 Cases

• News Releases

• Fact Sheet and Guidance

• Rumor Control

• Frequently Asked Questions

• How to Help

• Best Practices

• Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

• SBA Express Bridge Loans

• Guidance for Businesses and Employers

• SBA Products and Resources

• Government Contracting

• Local Assistance

• Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)(English)(Spanish)

• FFCRA Notice Frequently Asked Questions

  
  

“As a valued business partner, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) is committed to providing you with relevant information concerning COVID-19. We know employers have many questions about COVID-19 and the impact it will have on their businesses. These are insights related to some of the most frequently asked questions we have received…”
Read More →

• Standards Board Unanimously Adopts Emergency Temporary Standards to Protect Workers from COVID-19
  

“As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread globally, many employers are wondering if they can be held responsible if an employee contracts the illness and what precautionary actions should be taken to reduce risk. To help, we've addressed these concerns below…”
Read More →

• SB 1159 Online Reporting Form

• California Senate Bill 1159

• WCIRB Clarifies COVID-19 Era Payroll Exclusion Rule and Presents Webinar

“As a recognized national workers’ compensation specialist, Zenith has the expertise to assist you in preparing for and determining how the coronavirus may impact your workers’ compensation insurance program.

We want to share some facts and perspectives that we hope will relieve some of the concerns in these challenging times…”
Read More →

• Change of Medical Provider Network

• COVID-19 Payroll Adjustment Form

“As we are in unprecedented territory with COVID - 19 virus and its impact on the United States, we feel compelled to share how AWIS is navigating this environment. Our top priority at this time is to ensure the safety and well-being of our team members, partners, brokers, and all their families, while maintaining the same quality of service you have always received...”
Read More →

“During this time of uncertainty, the health and safety of your employees and your business remains our highest priority. We are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving impact of COVID-19 and are taking a number of actions to support you.”
Read More →

• Positive COVID-19 Report Form

• State Fund Announces $50 Million in Special Funds to Support Essential Workers During COVID-19 Crisis

• Premium Adjustments in Response to COVID-19

• State Fund Supports California During COVID-19 Crisis

“The coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect many regions of the world and the full impact of this virus is still unfolding. AF Group and our brands are committed to taking proactive measures to safeguard employees, customers and others we interact with from the spread of serious illness such as COVID-19, and we continue to monitor the situation and stay abreast of guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
Read More →

• Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards

• COVID-19 Positive Case Reporting Form for “Outbreak” Tracking

“CNA has been actively monitoring and managing the day-to-day issues related to and presented by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The spread of COVID-19 presents a unique set of challenges, and it is our priority to remain available and provide a consistent level of service that will help you and your teams continue business during these unprecedented times. ...”
Read More →

“The past several weeks have certainly tested us all. As we continue to monitor ongoing developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), please know that nothing will compromise our commitment to take care of customers and the things you trust us to insure.”
Read More →

• COVID-19 Risk Management Resources

• Billing Relief Plan

• COVID-19: Stay-at-Home Auto Premium Credit Program

• Additional Resources available on the Risk Management Plus+ Online portal

“The situation is quickly changing as COVID-19 is developing in the U.S. and globally, with potential impacts to your business. We care about the health and safety of our employees, customers, and communities and wanted to share some resources to help keep you informed..”
Read More →

“We're committed to helping keep you safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and enabling you to manage your account through limited contact.”
Read More →

“Thank you for placing your trust in Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (NIA). We are working hard to accommodate our members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Board of Directors recently made several decisions which we’re pleased to communicate to you.” Read More →

• Member Accommodations During COVID-19