Today’s update discusses:

• state reopening
• cases increase
• unemployment benefits and returning to work

HEALTH

• Today is the first day of Missouri reopening its economy and for the state to implement Governor Parson’s “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan. However, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported an increase of 200 new cases for the third day in a row, not including the St. Louis area reporting about 200 new cases. The reported 97 case increase in the city of St. Louis is the highest increase in cases in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic. St. Louis City Mayor Lyda Krewson warned that this is not the end of the fight and that easing social distancing restrictions too soon could ignite another wave of cases in the area.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• With the majority of the state reopening today, the Department of Labor announced on Friday a reminder that if Missouri residents who have been temporarily laid off refuse to return to work when recalled by their employer, they will lose unemployment benefits except in certain circumstances. For example, if an employee has tested positive for COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms, or if a member of an employee’s household has been diagnosed with COVID-19, employees are strongly encouraged to work with employers on the best way to handle the situation.