In a special-called meeting Monday, the Warren County Board of Supervisors adopted measures to protect the earnings of county employees impacted by the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In a vote that adopted the full scope of benefits to employees that were expanded recently by the federal government as part of the Family Medical Leave Act and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, supervisors also went a step further. They provided full earnings — up to 12 weeks — for not only those employees who might need time off due to becoming ill with the COVID-19 virus, but also those who needed time off because of “his or her child whose school or place of care is closed due to COVID-19 related reasons.”

The unanimous vote by the supervisors ensured those employees who are able to telework from home because of concerns of the virus and their risk would receive their full earnings while working from home.

The new federal guidelines that go into effect April 1, provide 100 percent of an employee’s earnings up to 12 weeks if they become sick with the virus. It also calls on employers to pay no less than two-thirds of an employee’s earnings, up to 12 weeks, for those who must miss work because of childcare-related issues. Supervisors voted instead to pay those employees 100 percent of their earnings.

Also, employees who miss work because of coming down with COVID-19, or because of having to care for their children, will not be forced to use any personal or sick time.

To qualify for these benefits, a county employee must have worked at least 30 days before taking leave.

If county employees have any questions about these policies, they are asked to contact interim county administrator Loretta Brantley.