Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily News Briefing, Friday March 27,  in Bismarck.

He said North Dakota has recorded it first COVID-19 death, a male in his 90’s from Cass County, who had underlying health issues and contracted through community spread.  Comments start at about 18 minutes into the video.

https://www.facebook.com/ndhealth/videos/150338052957565/?t=3

10 new positive cases were noted Friday, from 47 tests, a record number of tests in one day.

Critical care hospital care facilities expansion for beds, and equipment is being planned.

He reminds residents to use proper hygiene procedures including soap and water handwashing especially after being out at public locations.

Burgum said there ARE NO PLANS to shut down the state, at this time, including no plans to close the state’s borders, or shelter in place.

“Snowbird,”  travelers and returning college students will be asked to fill out a survey, and self isolate for 14 days.

Burgum announced that he signed an amended executive order today directing the closure of all salons operated by licensed cosmetologists, including manicurists and estheticians, as well as massage therapy, barbershop and tattoo/body art facilities, effective 12 a.m. Saturday, March 28, until April 6.

The governor noted that within the past couple of days, for the first time, North Dakota’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases attributed to community spread surpassed the number of travel-related or close-contact cases. The Governor’s Office also received a tremendous amount of input from business owners and technicians in the personal care sector, as well as the general public, asking to close these businesses for the health and safety of their workers and customers, Burgum noted.

Friday’s action amends the March 19 executive order that directed the closure of all recreational facilities, health clubs, athletic facilities and theaters, including movie theater and music or entertainment venues, as well as all restaurants, bars, breweries, cafes and similar on-site dining establishments, except for takeout, delivery, curbside, drive-through and off-sale.

In a separate executive order signed Friday, Burgum by suspending payment of unemployment taxes and suspending interest on all Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) employer accounts, which will allow them to focus on preserving their business operations and retaining critical cash flow.

The order suspends payment of unemployment taxes and filing of payroll reports that are due on March 31 for the first quarter of 2020, meaning those payments and reports won’t be due until July 1. This provides relief to all 26,500 Job Service North Dakota account holders and defers approximately $30 million in tax contributions, giving employers the opportunity to focus on their business and employees during this crisis.

Reports and payments will still be accepted by Job Service on the normal schedule if an employer chooses to do so.

The order also suspends interest charges on all WSI employer accounts effective today through June 30, 2020. This provides relief to up to 25,000 WSI policyholders. During the same three-month period last year, from April to June of 2019, WSI assessed $225,000 in interest. Reports and payments will still be accepted by WSI on the normal schedule if an employer chooses to do so. More information is available on their websites at workforcesafety.com and jobs

 

He said President has signed the $2.2 Trillion economic impact legislation.

The State’s fishing season starting April 1, is still open, with Game & Fish monitoring fishing sites, and will be closed if anglers are not observing social distancing, including at boat ramps.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is now scheduling appointments for commercial driver license (CDL) knowledge and road tests, as well as adding endorsements. CDL services are available by appointment only. Walk-ins will not be accepted at this time.

The CDL appointments will begin Monday, March 30, and are only available to CDL drivers and temporary agricultural workers (H-2A). If you already have an appointment scheduled, you will be contacted by NDDOT with further instruction prior to your appointment.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling NDDOT at 701-328-2489 or toll-free 1-855-633-6835. Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.