Labor Commission gets funding for businesses with quarantined workers

The Utah Labor Commission has launched the Small Business Quarantined Employee Grant program to help small businesses, defined as those with fewer than 50 employees, to continue to pay employees who are required to quarantine or isolate due to a positive COVID-19 test or exposure to someone who has tested positive.

The $2 million Small Business Quarantined Employee Grant uses federal CARES Act funds as part of Utah’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. It provides reimbursement to small-business employers who pay employees to stay home during quarantine or isolation for a maximum of 40 hours per week for a period of up to two calendar weeks.

Dec. 30 is the final quarantined or isolated day for which a request may be made under this grant. The grants application deadline is Jan. 14, 2021. Information about grant eligibility and the application process is available by emailing sbqeg@utah.gov.