CURRENT COVID-19 INFORMATION

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The Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping all local businesses during these challenging times. We have created this page to keep important resources together in one place for businesses/employers/employees. We will be making updates as new information is released.

If there’s a resource that you need, please contact us via email or phone (330.723.8773) and we will connect you with the appropriate information.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can assist you and your employees in any way.

Together, we will navigate this challenge.


Quick Links:
Medina County Commissioners CARES Act Grant Announcement
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Medina-County-Commissioners-CARES-Act-Grant-Announcement.html?soid=1102524809337&aid=V7RowEudxFg

Ohio Resources for Economic Support for Individuals, Families, & Small Business
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/employers-and-employees/Resources-for-Individuals-and-Families/resources-for-Individuals-Families

The link will connect you with local, state and federal resources and funds for the following impacted categories:

  • Individuals and families: unemployment resources, health insurance relief, school meals and more.

  • Small businesses and non-profits: economic disaster loan program, bar and restaurant relief, daycare ratio updates and more.

Medina County Health Department
https://medinahealth.org/
https://medinahealth.org/community/current-outbreaks/

Ohio Department of Health
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/
https://twitter.com/OHdeptofhealth
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/home   

Governor’s Office
https://governor.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/governor/
https://twitter.com/GovMikeDeWine 
Click here to view ALL: Public Health Orders by Governor DeWine & Ohio Department of Health 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Information
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

FEMA
https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help

Ohio BWC
https://info.bwc.ohio.gov/
Details about delaying installment payments for March, April and May until June 1, 2020
FAQ from Ohio BWC about COVID-19

Resources: PPE supplies and Cleaning Companies in Medina County
http://www.medinacounty.org/supplies-and-cleaning-services/

Small Business Assistance
*NEW* (4/7/20) Office of Small Business Relief
https://businesshelp.ohio.gov/
The Office will initially focus on three key areas:

  • It will serve as the state’s designated agency for administrating federal recovery funds awarded to Ohio for small business support and recovery.

  • It will work with federal, state, and local partners to evaluate and determine possible regulatory reforms that encourage employment and job creation.

  • It will coordinate efforts of the Ohio Small Business Development Centers and Minority Business Assistance Centers at local levels.

https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19   
https://development.ohio.gov/
BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.Gov

PPP (Paycheck Protection Program)
Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply.

Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply. We encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.

  • For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE

  • If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE

  • If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE

  • The application for borrowers can be found HERE


Small Business Support
The President announced loans through the Small Business Administration. As of 3/19/20, thanks to a concerted effort by the state of Ohio and the U.S. Small Business Administration, Ohio small businesses are now eligible for SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Please see below for more information:

  • Low-interest loans of up to $2 million are available for small businesses and private non-profits.

  • Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills and have repayment options of up to 30 years. 

  • Interest rates are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private non-profits.

  • Need help filling out the application? Access these step-by-step instructions

Click HERE to apply now.

Here is a great resource page that gives some highlights on this program.

Here in Ohio, the Development Services Agency is helping to take the lead and they have asked that any small business owners who have been affected please send your contact information to the following email address: BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.Gov and they will follow up with you.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final.pdf

Additional Helpful Links:
Upskilling your workforce virtually - TechCred.ohio.gov
Helping employers avoid laying off workers through SharedWork -http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/SharedWorkOhio/


Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The law, amongst other major provisions, requires employers of less than 500 employees to provide two weeks of paid sick leave and paid family medical leave.  

The law also requires employers to provide notice to their employees about the paid leave options available to them, so yesterday the U.S. Department of Labor released the required poster employers need to make available to their employees. To comply with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, employers must email or mail this notice to all current employees. They can put this poster on a website accessible to their employees.

More information about how to comply with the notice provision of the new law is on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website. The Department also released a helpful frequently asked questions page that answers common questions about the paid leave provisions.

You can also read more about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in the Ohio Chamber’s previous blog written after the bill was signed into law by President Trump.

INSURANCE GRACE PERIOD

The Ohio Department of Insurance has issued an order (3/20/20) for insurers in Ohio to allow employers to offer employees a grace period for insurance premiums.

The grace period is for all health insurers, and it must provide the option of deferring premium payments interest free for up to 60 calendar days from the original premium due date, which means employers can defer their premium payments for health insurance for up to two months.

Health insurers must allow employers to continue covering employees even if the employee would otherwise become ineligible for insurance because of a decrease in the hours worked a week.

Click here to read the press release.


Impacted Employee Support

Your employees may be affected by the temporary restrictions put in place. The Governor’s office also announced several initiatives to help:

·       They are broadening current state policy to clarify that individuals that are quarantined by a health professional or by their employer are considered to be unemployed and will not be subject to requirements to actively seek work during the period of emergency.

·       This also applies to companies that determine it is necessary to temporarily shut down operations due to the current emergency.

·       Ohio currently has a 1-week waiting period before an individual can receive unemployment.  In order to expedite the payments to impacted Ohioans, they are waiving the waiting week so that workers eligible for unemployment benefits will receive them for the first week of unemployment.

These points were taken from the Governor’s Twitter page.


Unemployment & Businesses

The Governor also announced some relief for businesses regarding unemployment:

·       Because they do not want to penalize individual employers for the impact of this outbreak by increasing future taxes, the costs of these additional benefits will be mutualized.

·       ODJFS will also waive employer penalties for late reporting and payments for the next quarter to assist employers impacted by lack of staff availability.

·       How to apply for unemployment benefits from home:  Click Here


Bar/Restaurant Owner Support

The Lt. Governor announced a temporary buy-back of high proof liquor products purchased within the last 30 days. The goal of this is to ease cash flow for bar/restaurant owners. Here is a release by the Department of Commerce that shares more. It should be returned to the Agency where it was purchased. If you have questions you may call 1-877-812-0013 or email ohioliquorinfo@com.ohio.gov


Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has resources to help employers and workers prepare for and respond to coronavirus in the workplace.


Wages, Hours and Leave

The Wage and Hour Division is providing information on common issues employers and workers face when responding to COVID-19, including the effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.


Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities

NOTE: Check with your state’s unemployment insurance program regarding the rules in your state.

The Employment and Training Administration announced new guidance outlining state flexibilities in administering their unemployment insurance programs to assist Americans affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under the guidance, federal law permits significant flexibility for states to amend their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits in multiple scenarios related to COVID-19. For example, federal law allows states to pay benefits where:

  • An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employees from coming to work;

  • An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and

  • An individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member.

In addition, federal law does not require an employee to quit in order to receive benefits due to the impact of COVID-19.


Federal Response

Here is a great overview by the US Chamber which breaks down what is included in the Federal relief proposal.


Employer Guide to some legal issues associated with Coronavirus

Click HERE (provided by Critchfield, Critchfield, and Johnston)

Click HERE for a Youtube video interview with the CCJ experts


Business Interruption Insurance

Many businesses purchase a general liability insurance policy that may include business interruption (BI) coverage. BI typically covers lost profits and may cover operating expenses, such as rent and utilities. However, most BI policies include specific exclusions for virus, bacteria or communicable diseases, and thus generally will not provide coverage for COVID-19 related losses. More information about BI can be found on the Ohio Department of Insurance's Insurance and Coronavirus COVID-19 resource page. (Choose the "Ohio Business" drop-down menu.)

BI Market Overview and FAQs

Westfield COVID-19 FAQs

NAIC Statement on Business Interruption Coverage


Community Resilience Grants Now Available
For more information and to apply, click HERE


PERSONAL SUPPORT/RESOURCES

What to do if you are sick

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow these CDC steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.


How to protect yourself

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.  CDC Steps

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