; or (C) the minimum wage rate provided for in the applicable State or local law for the State or locality in which the covered individual is employed or working. (4) Use of leave The emergency paid leave described in this subsection shall be available for immediate use by the covered individual for the purposes described in any paragraph of subsection (b), and for qualified caregiving, as defined in section 402 and in a manner such that section 404(j) shall apply, beginning on the date a public health emergency is declared, regardless of how long the covered individual has been employed by or working for an employer. (5) Periods A covered individual may take the emergency paid leave on the schedule that meets the covered individual’s needs, consistent with subsection (b) and section 402, including taking the emergency paid leave intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule, and an employer may not require a covered individual to take the emergency paid leave in a single period or on any other schedule specified by the employer. (6) Sequencing During a public health emergency, a covered individual may first use the additional sick time for the purposes described in any paragraph of subsection (b). The covered individual may then use the emergency paid leave during a public health emergency. A covered individual may elect to use accrued sick time before additional sick time or emergency paid leave. An employer may not require a covered individual to use accrued sick time or any other paid leave provided by the employer to the covered individual, before using additional sick time or emergency paid leave. (7) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring financial or other reimbursement to a covered individual from an employer upon the covered individual’s termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation from employment or work for emergency paid leave that has not been used. (8) Prohibition An employer may not require, as a condition of providing emergency paid leave under this