NH Coronavirus: Governor Suspends Evictions, Foreclosures

CONCORD, NH — The governor of New Hampshire followed-up on the unprecedented decision to shut down in-service food service as well as the banning of large gatherings in the state with three new emergency orders Tuesday to protect residents who may lose their jobs during the new coronavirus outbreak. First, Gov. Chris Sununu said all providers of electric, gas, water, telephone, cable, Internet service, and deliverable fuel services were now prohibited from disconnecting or discontinuing service due to nonpayments for the duration New Hampshire's state of emergency declaration. Landlords will also not be allowed to start eviction proceedings for those unable to pay due to their financial situations. Foreclosures will also be frozen in the state, Sununu said.

Individuals who are unable to work or who have reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have immediate access to unemployment benefits.

Those workers include employers who lost their jobs due to a business closing due to COVID-19 as well as workers who need to self-quarantine or are directed to quarantine at the instruction of a health care provider, employer or government official. Also, workers who must leave jobs to take care of a family member that has the coronavirus or is under quarantine. Those workers who are not working because they need to care for a dependent because of school closures, child care facility closures or other similar types of care programs, will also be covered. Self-employed individuals who are temporarily unable to operate their business because of any of the above listed situations will also be eligible.

"Tough decisions have been made at the state level, but we will get through this together," Sununu said. "Seeing what the lack of an appropriate response has resulted in around the world requires that we make some difficult decisions here in New Hampshire to ensure we stem the tide of this worldwide pandemic within our own communities. We are taking steps to help Granite Staters, ensuring they have the support and services for themselves, their families, and their businesses throughout this crisis."

While making the announcement of the new order, Sununu was flanked by employment security officials as well as state Senate President Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, and House Speaker Stephen Shutleff, D-Penacook, and House Minority Richard Hinch, R-Merrimack, and others, in an effort to show a united front. The governor said everyone in the state, from all political parties and interests, were working together to guide the state through the crisis.

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Soucy, during the press conference, said representatives and senators were not meeting due to the closure at the Statehouse and the governor was using his constitutional responsibilities in a time of crisis. Shurtleff added, a picture was worth 1,000 words, which is why he and Soucy were there and working with the governor.

Employment security officials said the state was solvent with its unemployment fund with around $300 million in funds available to tap into. As the fund gets depleted, unemployment security taxes to businesses will rise. The state also expects benefits to be replenished by the federal government. The average weekly benefit is around $330 a week with a maximum benefit of around $450 a week. The process for filing is being streamlined and made easier for people to file. The one-week waiting period has also been suspended, according to the governor.

Individuals will need to file for each week of temporary unemployment and all of this can and should be done online here or by calling 603-271-7700.

Sununu said state workers will also be shifting their responsibilities around departments in order to handle the expected increase in call volume and customer services needed by the public. He said commissioners met Monday to discuss the redeployment and shifting of responsibilities with state employees.

Regulations concerning car registrations, temporary plates, and driver's licenses were also being loosening to keep people from showing up at Division of Motor Vehicle locations for renewals.

If needed, the New Hampshire National Guard is ready "at a moment's notice" and Sununu said the state knew all of the member's skillsets if they need to be mobilized. Sununu said, right now, the state was in more of a "customer service" response.

Sununu also made an official request, in writing, to the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses across the state.

No New Infection Numbers

No new information had been issued at post time about the total number of patients in the state infected with the coronavirus or being publicly monitored.

On Monday, it was at 17, after the announcement of four new cases including three men and a girl under 18. Around 525 people are under public health monitoring with another 195 people with pending tests. So far, the state has tested 567 people, meaning around 355 people have tested negative, according to Monday's data release.

What You Can Do

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms. Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing).
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.

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