Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts urged Nebraskans to continue social distancing during his daily coronavirus press conference on Monday. Ricketts said as the weather warms and more people spend time outside, maintaining six feet for social distancing is still needed. A limit of 10 people at gatherings is also still in effect.
Ricketts also said that Nebraskans who are traveling back to the state from warmer areas, like Arizona or Florida, should quarantine themselves for 14 days. Adding anyone who has been in a place that has known community spread cases of the coronavirus should also self-quarantine.
A disaster declaration request from Gov. Ricketts has also been submitted to FEMA to help the state meet the needs in fighting the coronavirus. Financial assistance will also be available through various sources for individuals.
In his daily update, Ricketts also urged citizens to keep supporting local restaurants by ordering take-out, saying that Takeout Tuesday would be in effect for the next four weeks.
Joining Ricketts at the press conference was John Albin, the Nebraska Commissioner of Labor. Albin said that there are six new unemployment benefits that are part of the CARE Act and anyone who thinks they may be eligible for a program under the act should apply now.
He says the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program is for people who aren't part of the traditional unemployment system like hairdressers, barbers and those who are self-employed.
Albin added that payments for those who recently filed for unemployment, and were accepted, should be coming in a week or two. Anyone who has quit their job, would not be eligible for unemployment benefits.