DAYTON–The recent State of Emergency Declaration called by President Trump due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the precautionary proclamations that followed by Governor Jay Inslee, schools are closed, many businesses are closed and events are cancelled. City and county offices are limiting their office hours and their direct contact with the public. This includes limited function of the courthouse.

Citizens are being asked to work from home when they can, or work on-site only on rotation to avoid contact with other employees, while still maintaining sanitary guidelines of wiping surfaces and washing hands. Many businesses are setting up their own guidelines for their employees who continue to work, such as Columbia REA. Their crews are not sharing equipment or work vehicles and they have limited use of the service centers.

Beyond work, people are asked to limit public and social contact with others outside of their household including friends and other family.

Over the past weeks, many Dayton Main Street storefronts and windows have posted signs saying they are closed, or have limited their hours or contact with the public. Some essential stores remain open such as Dingles, Elk Drug, Skyline Parts-Napa, Dayton Chronicle (email and call-in orders) and the grocery stores. Others have limited hours such as VS Mainstreet. Some service businesses remain open such as Jay’s Garage, Dayton Tractor and Dayton Auto Repair. Other businesses have closed their doors like Snapdragon Floral & Gifts (though they will take orders for delivery and have the cooler at Dayton Mercantile), The Liberty Theater and Saint Vincent de Paul.

Many restaurants are offering take-out meals such as Chief Springs, My Dad’s Place, Ray’s Drive-in, Fiesta en Jalisco, Blue Mountain Station and The Weinhard Cafe. The community is asked to support the local businesses and restaurants by utilizing their services.

The recent proclamations affect jobs, businesses and livelihoods. Because of this, President Donald Trump signed into action relief funds for households which will also take some of the burden from businesses. This legislation will provide many workers with up to two weeks of paid sick leave if they are being tested or treated for coronavirus or have been diagnosed with it.

Also, eligible would be those who have been told by a doctor or government official to stay home because of exposure or symptoms. Unemployment benefits under the plan allow payments up to $511 a day. Workers with family members affected by coronavirus and those whose children’s schools have closed would receive up to two-thirds of their pay capping at $200 a day.

As under usual circumstances, people are advised to file for unemployment benefits. Governor Inslee waived the required wait period of one week before filing, as well the requirement to search for work or be in training while claiming benefits. For complete information for businesses and employees, visit esd.wa.gov

Another possible source of help is through The United Way. They are establishing an Economic Relief Fund to help with bills, rent and food. The Washington State number to be connected to resources is 877-211-9274.

Local services continue to be available through the Columbia County Department of Health, Project Timothy, and the food bank. Meals for pick-up and limited delivery are offered through the Senior Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginning, this week the schools are offering free breakfast and lunches for free to any children up to 18 years old at the school and various drop-off locations.

There is also help for businesses through Washington state according to the Port of Columbia, “$5 million has been made available for micro-grants to businesses in distress, but details of the program are still being worked out. There will be an application process for the funds and certain requirements must be met. Examples they gave included having between 1-10 employees, having been in business for at least a year, being directly affected by the virus outbreak (likely meaning that the business was forced to close), and likely to close if they do not receive help.”

Also, small business loans are available through the federal government at low interest rates because of the virus outbreak affecting our county. Visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

To stay up to date about Coronavirus in Columbia County and precautionary measures being implemented, visit the Dayton Chronicle website. Individual questions can be answered by calling the local Public Health office at 509-382-2181.