DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa Workforce Development says Iowans laid-off or furloughed during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will lose their unemployment benefits if they refuse to return to work when their employer calls them back.
IWD says employees who refuse to go back to work when recalled will be considered a "voluntary quit" and won't be covered by unemployment benefits.
Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend said the unemployment benefits from the Federal CARES Act are meant to be temporary until the economy can return to normal.
The department said employees affected by COVID-19 should work with their employer to safely return back to work.
Workforce Development says exceptions will be made for:
-Those who've tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms;
-Those who have recovered but it caused medical complications rendering them unable to perform essential job duties;
-Those who have someone in their household who's been diagnosed with COVID-19;
-Those who are are providing care for a member of their household who was diagnosed with COVID-19;
-Those who don't have childcare due to COVID-19 reason
-Those who don't have transportation to their place of work because of COVID-19.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says a number of businesses including restaurants, retail stores, shopping malls, and fitness centers can reopen on Friday.