Discussion Forum

This page contains the embedded UNOG Discussion Forum located in Google Groups. Scroll or down or click here to view/access the discussion forum

Coronavirus Questions and Answers: Please post your coronavirus related questions in the discussion forum below. UNOG and Kids R Kids Corp will work to get them answered by an appropriate resource (e.g. Insurance questions to Marc Sklar or HR/Legal questions to Bert Brannen). Please also post your answers or advice to questions others have asked. We will maintain an easy to read, organized list of questions and answers gathered from the posts in the discussions.

Insurance Related Questions:

1. Am I covered if my business is interrupted due to Coronavirus? All of your businesses currently carry business interruption coverage as part of your commercial property coverage. Business interruption coverage is designed to help cover financial losses in operations, generally arising from a direct physical loss to the property. In the event of a claim for coronavirus, related business interruption, questions may arise as to weather this “physical loss” requirement has been met. In particular, in circumstances where you have been closed as part of a mandatory or voluntary closure, but are otherwise still habitable and uncontaminated, you have probably not suffered a direct physical loss since infectious diseases generally will not qualify as property damage. In contrast, if a property has become physically contaminated and uninhabitable due to coronavirus, there may be a basis for you to claim that a direct physical loss has occurred. [Answered by Marc Sklar 3/6/20]

______________________________________________________________

You do have Business Interruption/Business Income and Extra Expense coverage - but it does exclude Coronavirus/illness and contamination just like the other policies. I confirmed this with an underwriter, but I ALWAYS think that it is better to go ahead and file a claim when and if there is one instead of assuming that the underwriter is correct. The worst the carrier can do is deny and an Adjuster has the expertise to determine whether or not some or all of a claim would be paid. (Answered by Stephanie Torrez, Owner of Dare Insurance Agency 3/10/20)

2. Under what circumstances are my employees eligible or ineligible to receive unemployment benefits if they cannot work due to coronavirus related issues?

If you are asking about employee benefits, then you would want to ask your Benefits company or short term disability carrier. If you are asking about time missed from work - there is no coverage due to Coronavirus. (Answered by Stephanie Torrez, Owner of Dare Insurance Agency 3/10/20)

3. Will Workers Comp cover an employee who contracts coronavirus while at work? If it can be proven that the employee contracted the virus at work, I believe there would be coverage. [Answered by Marc Sklar 3/5/20]

__________________________________________________________________

As for WC, iSurity was told by their attorney that contraction of the coronavirus would not be compensable. I haven't seen any company willing to cover Coronavirus yet so a lot of people are asking these questions and have concerns. (Answered by Stephanie Torrez, Owner of Dare Insurance Agency 3/10/20)

Legal / Human Resource Related Questions:

1. What do I do if an employee says they do not want to come to work b/c they are afraid they might be exposed?
2. What can/should I do if an employee comes to work sneezing and coughing?
3. Can I require an employee not to come to work for 14 days if they have travelled internationally?
4. Can I or should I pay my teachers and/management team if I have to close my school?
5. Am I required to allow employees to wear a mask to work if they want to?

School Closure Related Questions:

1. Under what circumstances must I or should I close my school?
2. What do I do if the county or other schools around me decide to close, but there has been no order to close by the Health Department or other governing agency?
3. If I do close my school, whom do I have to notify? What permission do I need to reopen?

Parent / Student Related Questions:

1. Can I ask families if they have traveled internationally or may have been exposed to Corona and request/require them to keep their children home if they have? Here are some ideas to inquire about travel and exposure and restrict attendance.

Resources:

1. Is there a collection of sample letters or other communication owners have used to communicate with parents or staff? YES! Please see attachments in the Discussion Forum.
2. Here is a list of disinfectants approved by CDC for Corona virus.