covid19: what you need to know no · covid19: what you need to know now #togethermilford we know...
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MARCH 26, 2020
COVID19: What You Need to Know Now
#TogetherMilfordWe know things just aren't normal right now. We encourage you to come#TogetherMilford and embrace this time! Try calling your family and friends, takea step away from the digital world, support your local community, and practicesocial distancing! Right now, social distancing from others is the most importantthing you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.We are all at aplace where we are feeling our way, day by day.
Every day, we hear a new story about how people are helping neighbors, lookingafter each other. Caring. Like Melissa Marylin of Beach Party Balloons, whodesigned this beautiful balloon display in front of the chamber today spreadingkindness and community, right in the middle of a crisis.
Let's continue to put a smile on our neighbors' faces as we look after each other.
We will stay connected with you today, tomorrow, weeks from now. We are notgoing away.
The Chamber is dedicated to providing you - our business community - with ourservices and support during this pandemic. We will continue to share newinformation, resources, and other tools for businesses and their employees.
Let us know in your comments and messages what more we can do for you. Andremember: Every time we hear from you, it keeps us going.
Let’s all be part of a community looking out for each other. We are#TogetherMilford
Yours,Pam StaneskiExecutive Director of the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce
COVID19 Connecticut Update for Business
Governor Orders AllNonessentialFunctions toSuspend In-PersonOperationsGovernor Ned Lamont releasedguidance intended to help thestate’s business and nonprofitcommunity better understand the“Stay Safe, Stay Home” executiveorder he recently signed directingall non-essential businesses andnot-for-profit entities inConnecticut to prohibit all in-person functions effectiveMonday, March 23, 2020 at 8:00
Request for PersonalProtectiveEquipmentAt the direction of GovernorLamont and the ConnecticutDepartment of Public Health, theState of Connecticut has activateda framework for donations ofPersonal Protective Equipment(PPE) – protective clothing,helmets, goggles, or othergarments or equipment designedto protect the wearer’s body frominjury or infection that are utilizedby people providing healthcareservices.
p.m. as part of the state’s ongoingresponse to the COVID-19pandemic.
Members of the public,businesses, and philanthropicorganizations that are able todonate these vital materials areurged to contact the state by fillingout the online form located here:www.211ct.org/DonationsCOVID19.
ConnecticutRecovery BridgeLoan ProgramTo provide emergency cash flowrelief to small businesses andnonprofits negatively impacted bythe coronavirus, Connecticut isnow offering qualifyingorganizations with 100 or feweremployees access to no-interestloans.
Under the Connecticut RecoveryBridge Loan program, a qualifyingbusiness or nonprofit organizationcan apply for a loan of up to$75,000 or three months ofoperating expenses (whichever islesser).
Coronavirus: AnEmployer's GuideIf you feel uncertain aboutaddressing the coronavirus, don'tfeel bad, you have lots ofcompany.
But, don't let your discomfortprevent you from acting. A plan,subject to updating—and trust us,it will need updating—is betterthan no plan at all, or attemptingto fill a blank slate on the fly.
Here is a high-level perspective onelements of recommendedstrategies to develop, update andflesh out as necessary.
Coronavirus Disease 2019
Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program
Unemployment Insurance
Disaster Loan Assistance
CT DOL: Unemployment Due toCoronavirus
Guidance for Businesses andEmployers
Town Hall Meeting withSenator James MaroneyTONIGHT 3/26 at 6pm
Please join Senator Maroney for aFacebook Live Town Hall on Thursday,March 26th at 6:00 pm.
Please head to his Facebook Pageand comment with your questions sothat he can answer as many aspossible.
The State of Connecticut is continuing to take majorsteps to protect our businesses and residents during thecoronavirus crisis. Here are some updates:
DECD's COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit: TheConnecticut Department of Economic and Community Development(DECD) has created a COVID-19 Business Emergency ResponseUnit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources anddevelop new resources. A dedicated phone line is available at 860-500-2333 to provide assistance to Connecticut's small businesses forthis purpose.
Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program: To provide emergencycash flow relief to Connecticut small businesses and nonprofits thathave been negatively impacted by the global spread of the COVID-19pandemic, Governor Lamont created the Connecticut Recovery BridgeLoan Program. Administered by DECD, the program is for businessesand nonprofits that have fewer than 100 employees. Qualifyingorganizations can apply for zero-interest loans of up to $75,000 orthree months of operating expenses (whichever is lesser). This $25
million short-term emergency loan program will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is now accepting applications.
Business Bridge LoanBusiness Bridge Loan
SBA assistance: On March 16, the U.S. Small BusinessAdministration approved Governor Lamont's request to begin offeringdisaster-relief loans to Connecticut small businesses and nonprofits.Companies in the state can now apply for loans of up to $2 millionthrough a special page on the SBA website. SBA also hasmore valuable information for businesses.
Tax filing extensions: The Department of Revenue Services hasextended deadlines for filing and payments associated with certainstate business tax returns. Details are on DRS’s website.
Unemployment assistance: Workers directly impacted by thecoronavirus pandemic no longer must be actively searching for work toqualify for unemployment assistance. And employers who arefurloughing workers can use the Department of Labor’s shared workprogram, which allows businesses to reduce working hours and havethose wages supplemented with unemployment insurance. DOLhas more information about these and other changes.
Business Interruption Insurance: A business interruption insurancepolicy should list or describe the types of events it covers. Events thatare not described in the policy are typically not covered. It is importantto review the policy exclusions, coverage limits, and applicabledeductibles with your agent, broker or insurer. The ConnecticutInsurance Department has an FAQ that provides more information.
Issues regarding supply chains, delivery of goods, or businesscontinuity: The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection isencouraging businesses in the state that are experiencing issuesregarding supply chains, delivery of goods, or business continuity tocontact the FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Centerby emailing [email protected]. This is a 24/7 operation and theycan assist in directing the inquiry to the proper contact.
Reimbursement of medical leave costs for small and medium-sizedbusinesses: The Connecticut Department of Insurance reminds smalland medium-sized employers of recent guidance from the InternalRevenue Service (IRS) on COVID-19 - related medical leave.
Business Exemptionsfor Coronavirus -Executive Order 7H
Requests by businesses to bedesignated an essential function asdescribed below, should ONLY bemade if they are NOT covered bythe following guidance.
Read More Here.
COVID19 Milford Update for BusinessThe Department ofEconomic & CommunityDevelopment (DECD) isconducting a survey to
better understand theeconomic impact on localbusinesses.The completion of this form is very time-sensitive. If I could have the formreturned by this afternoon that would begreat. The file can be sent to meconfidentially by emailat [email protected]. You may want toshare with clients and constituents.
Economic Injury Worksheet
SBA To Provide SmallBusinesses Impacted by
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Up to $2 Million inDisaster Assistance Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interestfederal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as aresult of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor,SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and ResponseSupplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic InjuryDisaster Loan declaration.
For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail [email protected](link sends e-mail)
Most basic business coverage companies seem to be denied their claim do to "natural" or "act ofgod" argument. I contacted the State Department of Insurance and they said that if a companybelieves their insurance coverage does indeed cover this loss of business, they should file a claimwith the Insurance department.
Coronavirus and Business Interruption Insurance – FAQs
COVID19 Update for Restaurants
Restaurants that are OPEN forcurbside takeout
CT Restaurant AssociationFacebook Page
Restaurants: Encourage your team andrestaurants in the Milford area to join theConnecticut Restaurant AssociationFacebook group – as a ton of valuableinformation will be shared in this space asupdates and developments continue toroll out.
Click Here for Further Information fromCT Restaurant Association, includingthe recent letter to Governor Lamont onbehalf of CT Restaurants.
Milford Restaurants that are Open for Take-Out
COVID19 Business Resource Center
The SBA is offering low interestloans to small businesses effected
by the Corona virus epidemic. If anyof your members are effected, they
should call 1-800-659-2955 for further
information.
Effective Immediately: DRS ExtendsFiling Deadline for Certain Annual
State Business Tax Returns
For the full press release click here.
Northeast Governors FromConnecticut, New York, New JerseyAnnounce Collective Measures to
Combat Spread of COVID-19
Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut,Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of NewYork, and Governor Phil Murphy of
New Jersey today (March 16)announced a regional approach to
combatting the novel coronavirus – or
DECD Defers Loan Payments onSmall Business Express
The Lamont Administration and theDepartment of Economic and
Community Development (DECD) arebeing proactive to ensure support for
businesses and their employeesfinancially hit by the pandemic. For
those with loans from the Small
COVID-19 – throughout the tri-statearea.
Read the full press release here
Business Express Program:
DECD will defer Small BusinessExpress loan payments for the nextthree months to allow employers to
focus on their payrolls.
COVID19: Tips for SmallBusinesses
As Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID19) spreads, it createsconcerns in all our communities both inrelation to staying healthy and safe, butalso in terms of how local businessesmay be impacted. We have assembleda list of tips and resources to assistyou.
Read More Here.
Environmental Cleaning andDisinfection Recommendations– Workplaces
This guidance providesrecommendations on the cleaning anddisinfection of rooms or areas of thosewith suspected or with confirmedCOVID-19 have visited. It is aimed atlimiting the survival of novelcoronavirus in key environments.These recommendations will beupdated if additional informationbecomes available.
For the full guide click here
Coronavirus Tool-Kit
Crisis Management:Pandemic