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Local workforce on high alert

Staff Report

It's business as usual for some in the Tallassee area, although the coronavirus has suspended several operations and regular daily activities.

The Alabama Department of Labor said on Monday that workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 will be eligible to file for unemployment benefits. 

Based on current guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Alabama Department of Labor is modifying existing unemployment compensation rules for those who are affected in any of the following way:  

  •       Those who are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency,  
  •       Those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer due to      COVID-19 concerns, 
  •       Those who are diagnosed with COVID-19,  
  •       Or, those who are caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Workers can file for benefits online at www.labor.alabama.gov or by calling 1-866-234-5382.  Online filing is encouraged.

As of Tuesday, all major industries in Tallassee were still running regular shifts including GKN Aerospace, Elmore County's largest empolyer.

"We are continuing to monitor the fast-moving situation in order to safeguard our people and ensure consistent supply to our customers," Wesley Bates, GKN Media and Communications Manager noted in a statement. "We have robust plans in place across all our manufacturing sites, which includes implementing appropriate travel restrictions for our employees, preventing visitors from highly-impacted regions from visiting our sites, increasing cleaning cycles within our facilities and ensuring all relevant national and local guidelines are followed in our locations."