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Chamber Answers: If I quarantine, am I eligible for unemployment compensation?

Oct 28, 2020 02:28PM ● By Editor
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By Jim Boyd, Executive Director of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce - October 28, 2020

A question has been raised: If I am told I should quarantine for 14 days because I have been in close contact with someone testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, am I eligible for unemployment compensation?

It would appear the answer is yes, though final determination would need to be made by actually applying for unemployment benefits. The following is taken from Gov. Tim Walz' Executive Order 20-05:

To further ensure that unemployment benefits are available for workers who are not able to work directly or indirectly as a result of COVID-19, I order that a leave of absence will be presumed to be involuntary in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 268.085, subdivision 13a, when:

a. A determination has been made by health authorities or by a health care professional that the presence of the applicant in the workplace would jeopardize the health of others, whether or not the applicant has actually contracted a communicable disease.

b. A quarantine or isolation order has been issued to the applicant pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 144.419 to section 144.4196.

c. There is a recommendation from health authorities or by a health care professional that the applicant should self-isolate or self-quarantine due to elevated risk from COVID-19 due to being immunocompromised.

Contact: 
Jim Boyd
Executive Director
Cook County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 805 
Grand Marais, MN 55604
218-370-9665 (office/cell)
218-387-2466 (home)
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