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Dear <<First Name>>,
Today, Governor Baker issued an order to all non-essential businesses to cease in person operation, directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory, and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 individuals across the Commonwealth. The order to close all non-essential businesses will go into effect tomorrow, March 24 at 12pm, and remains in effect until April 7 at 12pm.
Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other activities during this two-week time period. Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.
Essential businesses include healthcare, grocery stores, pharmacies, and more. Please see the full list to determine if your business or place of work is deemed essential. If the function of your business is not listed in the link above, but you believe that it is essential or it is an entity providing essential services or functions, you may request designation as an essential business.
Workers who have found themselves out of work due to restrictions in place because of COVID-19 should apply for unemployment insurance even if they are unsure if their situation fits normal unemployment insurance guidelines. DUA has made specific web page updates that include the latest COVID-19 guidance for employee qualifications.
To help with the increased demand on the unemployment system, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Unemployment Assistance are hosting virtual town hall meetings. They will take all who sign up through a step by step process of achieving a successful unemployment claim and will be taking questions from applicants across the Commonwealth.
Sign up now to attend a virtual town hall meeting. The first unemployment town hall took place on Sunday and the following town halls are currently scheduled:
- Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 9:00 AM - Spanish Town Hall
- Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 9:00 AM
- Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 11:30 AM
- Friday, March 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM
To learn more about unemployement insurance and how to apply, visit the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance website.
With Governor Baker's order shutting down all non-essential businesses, we understand that many 1099 contract employees and self-employed individuals do not qualify for unemployment under normal conditions. In order to qualify, the president must make a disaster unemployment declaration for Massachusetts or nationwide. My office has been in contact with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, and Congressman Seth Moulton to urge that 1099 and self-employed individuals are included in federal relief legislation.
Please see our past newsletters if you haven't had a chance to read them already for more relevant guidance and directives following Governor Baker's declaration of a state of emergency on March 10th. Visit Mass.gov for complete information and check the municipal websites for Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex for local guidance.
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