covid-19

♨️ On Wednesday, May 13, Governor Walz issued a new executive order allowing “all retail stores, malls and other businesses that sell, rent, maintain and repair goods to open beginning on Monday, May 18 as long as they have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 preparedness plan including social distancing guidelines for workers and customers, and allow no more than 50% of the establishment’s occupant capacity at any time.” Click here to view reopening guidance from DEED.

ACT NOW: Reopen Your Business Safely - best practices »

On Thursday, April 30, Governor Walz extended the current “stay at home” order until May 17 with an easing of some restrictions on customer-facing businesses. Click here to view the additional exemptions to the executive order. Starting Monday, May 4, 2020 the new Executive Order 20-48 (slides from the press conference are here) allows any customer-facing retail business that sells goods to engage in curbside or outside pick-up and delivery, as long as customers do not enter the business premises. Click here for guidance on what the latest executive order means for your business.

What Next? Start by downloading and adopting the Covid-19 Preparedness Plan template to your business.

• Is your business or industry considered critical under the new Executive Order?

  • There are three possible steps to determine if a business falls under a provided exemption from the Executive Order 20-20. The DEED website clarifies that a business does not need to qualify in all three. Rather, they may qualify under one or two, but not necessarily under NAICS.

  • Step 1: Businesses can look at federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) list to see if included in essential. If included as essential – STOP, no need to look further.

  • If not included, Step 2: Look at the governor’s executive order. If included as essential – STOP, no need to look further.

  • If not included in Step 1 or Step 2 above, go to Step 3: check the NAICS code.

  • If you are still uncertain, then apply for clarification here. DEED is working toward a fast turn-around of business inquiries through this process.

• List of Executive Orders from Governor Tim Walz

• Stay at Home resource page

• Frequently asked questions on the Stay at Home order

• The Minnesota Chamber is recording a webinar on Thursday, March 26 with DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. Submit questions for Commissioner Grove here and watch your email on Thursday for webinar distribution.

♨️ FUNDING - Loans & Grants

• Save Small Business Fund - An initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: To extend a helping hand to small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – in partnership with Vistaprint and a coalition of supporting companies, foundations, and philanthropic donors – is working to provide financial relief through the Save Small Business Fund. The Fund is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the United States, including chambers of commerce. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between three and 20 employees and operate in an economically vulnerable community. The grant application will go live on Monday, April 20 at 2:00 PM CDT.

• Facebook announces $100 million grant program for small businesses being impacted by Coronavirus

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guidance for employers – Links to information on small business products and loans, guidance on access to capital and the local assistance directory.

• U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan application - MN businesses now eligible as of Saturday, March 21.

  • Forms to Fill Out FIRST. Here's a list of documents you'll need to provide to complete the application:

  • SBA Form 5 or SBA Form 5C for sole proprietorships - SBA loan application

  • IRS Form 4506T - Tax Information Authorization for the applicant, principals and affiliates.

  • Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return.

  • SBA Form 2202 - Schedule of Liabilities.

  • SBA Form 413 - Personal Financial Statement.

  • SBA Form 1368 - Monthly sales figures

• SBA’s Minnesota District Office on Economic Injury Disaster Loans – download forms to apply, and more -- Have questions about these loans, please watch this video to answer some FAQs.

• DEED small business emergency loans - Interest-free loans ranging from $2,500 to $35,000 and will be based on the firm’s economic injury and the financial need.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: UPDATED – Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist (Paycheck Protection Program)

• UPDATE: DEED guide for small businesses on how to navigate state and federal COVID-19 assistance

• Otto Bremer Foundation - The Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) has established a $50 million emergency fund through its Community Benefit Financial Company (CBFC) subsidiary to provide financial support to Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Montana nonprofits and other community organizations impacted by and responding to the pandemic. The fund will provide resources in the form of short-term loans, lines of credit, and emergency grants.

• FAQ from U.S. Department of Treasury Paycheck Protection Program

♨️ Employment Guidance

• Minnesota Department of Economic Development resources for employers – Information on staffing, hours, unemployment insurance and assistance for small businesses.

• Coronavirus and unemployment insurance – Specific details on mandatory or voluntary quarantines, changes in hourly work or layoffs, and COVID-19 related costs.

• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's “worker protections” – A summary of FMLA, sick leave, unemployment insurance.

• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry – Frequently asked questions for employers and employees related to COVID-19

• Minnesota Council – Society of Human Resource Management (MNSHRM) – Resources for HR professionals (login required).

• U.S. Department of Labor guide to FMLA in public health emergencies

• U.S. Department of Labor guidance on paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave benefits

  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQs

  • Workplace poster for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

• U.S. Chamber guide for employers – Outlines how to work with and communicate to employees, make a business continuity plan before and after employees become sick.

• U.S Chamber of Commerce: Employer Guide on Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for business – Health and workplace details and suggestions for COVID-19 impacts on different types of businesses and employee activity.

• ♨️ Workers’ compensation coverage for employees who contract COVID-19 – An FAQ from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

• ♨️ DEED Unemployment Insurance Statistics

Taxes & Regulations

• Minnesota Department of Revenue updated tax guidance

• Minnesota Department of Revenue details on business tax changes – Details on the sales tax payment extension for eligible businesses and income tax filing and payment extensions.

• Minnesota Department of Commerce Licensing Unit guide – Information for Minnesota licensees, regulated entities and consumers during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

• IRS guidance on 90-day payment delay for April 15 payment

• Additional time to file and pay Minnesota 2019 individual income tax FAQ

• Department of Homeland Security announces flexibility in requirements related to Form I-9 compliance

• List of Executive Orders from Governor Tim Walz

Understanding Economic Impacts

• U.S. Chamber Foundation guide to corporate aid – A list of corporate entities who donated or changed business practices to help fight COVID-19 around the world.

• Wall St. Journal guide to economic impacts – Summarizes data points to watch that will define economic impacts.

• Quick take on Coronavirus’ economic impact – Summarizes how businesses have been impacted so far.

• U.S. Chamber Foundation Disaster Response and Community Resilience

Keeping Workplaces Safe and Healthy

• MN Gov: Minnesota COVID-19 Public Dashboard - direct link to MN ArcGIS geographic information system.

• U.S. Chamber guide to healthy habits – Background on COVID-19 and best practices to stay healthy and deal with employee diagnosis.

• U.S. Chaber Customizable Workplace Flyer (Please open this file in the latest version of Chrome or Edge browser, or Adobe software, to customize.)

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates – Ongoing updates on the disease, how it is spread, where is exists and testing.

• Minnesota Department of Health resources – Updates on cases in Minnesota, best practices to prepare and prevent spread in workplaces.

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 health updates – Detailed updates on risk factors, symptoms, treatment.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guide for workplaces – Specific to federal standards for preventing spread in workplaces.

• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 resource page (English) – Daily updates on the number and nature of Coronavirus cases in Minnesota and best practices for citizens to remain safe and healthy.

• Mayo Clinic: Patient Care & Health Information

♨️ WEBINARS

Other Resources

• Information about business interruption insurance – A FAQ developed by the Insurance Federation to provide answers on business interruption coverage.

• Force majeure and Coronavirus – Understand how the “act of God” concept relates to contracts under the Coronavirus.

• Minnesota Department of Health overview of COVID-19 – now available in 20 languages

• Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Opportunity for businesses to offer resources, supplies or personnel to COVID-19 response efforts

• COVID-19 State and Local Policy Dashboard

• Leveraging USPS to Manage Your Business

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• U.S. Chamber Media Toolkit - shareable social graphics on how to keep families, schools, and businesses safe, and what to do if you get sick.

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Media Toolkit - Print Resources (handouts & posters) & Video Resources

EMPLOYEES / SELF EMPLOYED ENTREPRENEURS

• • MN Unemployment Insurance - This office is overwhelmed with requests right now, so applying online is encouraged. I’ve also heard that folks who were denied can re-apply. This resource can be used by those laid off, or even just having hours cut back.

This "Correspondence Toolbox" resource section was assembled as a benefit to our members to share emails, news and documents we receive from our partners and local businesses.