Covid-19 Business Resources

Be Ready with Guidelines & Recommendations

Anything can happen in life, and we are here to help you be ready. We have prepared COVID-19 business resources for pressing issues employers face, including vital information on new federal laws such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and Coronavirus Aid, CARES Act, HIPAA privacy considerations, layoffs and furloughs, tax credits and much more.

[Note, due to the developing nature of the pandemic, the guidance in this toolkit will likely require updating. We will make every effort to provide the most accurate, timely information regarding COVID-19.]

WHAT'S NEW?

Check out our latest postings.

OSHA COVID-19 ETS Recordkeeping Requirements.
- This compliance bulletin covers recordkeeping requirements imposed by the vaccine and testing ETS.

Restaurants can register in advance on 5/30 at 9am for the Small Business Association's Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
- The plan provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19

American Rescue Plan: Changes to FFCRA Employee Leave
- The American Rescue Plan Act, enacted March 11, includes changed to emergency paid sick leave and paid family leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DIRECTS ALL STATE TO MAKE ALL ADULTS ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINE BY MAY 1, 2021
- Read more about this directive here. This tracks with Biden's new goal: having in-person celebrations for the Fourth of July!

OVERVIEW OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
- Here is some information on the $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan.

5 Steps: When your Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
- The NH Division of Public Health Services have released guidelines on Employers procedures when an employee tests positive for Covid-19. Click here for more details.

EEOC Issues FAQS on Mandatory Vaccinations for COVID-19.
- On Dec. 16. 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) added nine new answers to frequently asked questions to its existing guidance on how employers should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other fair employment laws while also observing all applicable emergency workplace safety guidelines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

OSHA released a new video providing five tips to keep workers safe during the holidays.

VT imposes quarantine rules for residents of all NH counties.
- Vermont requires a 14 day quarantine or seven days after a negative test to enter Vermont from all NH counties. The restrictions do not apply to people coming to Vermont for essential purposes, including community to work, attending school, receiving medical care and buying groceries.

NH Mandates Contact Tracing for Restaurants
- Beginning Saturday October 31st all restaurants must record basic contact information to help facilitate COVID-19 contact tracing investigations. Click here for more details.

OSHA clarifies COVID-19 reporting requirements
- FAQ's updated - new answers clarify when employers must report COVID-19 in-patient hospitalizations and fatalities.

NH has released mask guidelines and have moved several industries to the Universal Guidance.
- - Click here to read the updated Guidance. In particular, the portion on wearing masks was updated to address people with medical conditions that can not wear masks.
  - The following industries have additional guidance to follow:
    - Community Arts & Music Education
    - Drive-In Movie Theatres
    - Driver’s Education
    - Funeral Homes
    - Equestrian Facilities
    - Golf Courses
    - Libraries
    - Museums & Art Galleries
    - Outdoor Attractions (not amusement parks)
    - State Parks

FDA & OSHA have created an employee health and food safety checklist for human and animal food operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law Act 115, "An act relating to creating emergency economic recovery grants."

- On Friday, June 19, 2020 Governor Phil Scott signed into law the Act 115. This act includes $70,000,000 in emergency Economic Recovery Grants. Click Here to review the eligibility criteria.
- On Thursday, July 2, 2020, Governor Scott signed into law H.966, which includes an additional $96 million for a number of business sectors and will be administered by both ACCD and other agencies including the Agency of Human Services, Agency of Administration, and Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

Keene Safe Pledge
- The City of Keene has launched "Keene Safe" pledge for businesses to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This pledge aims to build consumer confidence; click here for more details!

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Issues Guidance to Help Construction Workers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a webpage with Coronavirus-related guidance for construction employers and workers. The guidance includes recommended actions to reduce the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. This guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. To learn more click here

The Vermont Work Smart and Stay Safe initiative requires businesses that closed for 7 days or more to adopt or create a sector-specific reopening and training plan before reopening.
- Work Safe Addition to the Be Smart, Stay Safe order
- Businesses may adopt one of these plans or create their own using a Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) / Project WorkSAFE template.
- What is isolation? - check out State of Vermont's guidelines poster

Extension of certain time frames for Employee Benefit Plans
- The US Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and the IRS have issued a join rule providing relief from established deadlines for group health plans. For more details click here!
  - New COBRA specific guidelines can be found here!
  - New flexibility for cafeteria plans & FSAs found here!

New Order from Governor Phil Scott Continues Phased Re-Opening; Expands Health & Safety Measures, Including Mandatory Training
- The Governor's most recent order, signed Friday, directs any entity currently operating, or soon to be opened, to implement specified physical distancing, health and sanitation measures, including requiring employees to wear face coverings for nose and mouth. It also requires all employers to provide - and all employees to complete - training on these health and safety requirements by May 4th
  - VT Dept of Labor and VOSHA have provided this training document to be used to train all employees

FAMILIES FIRST ACT:

FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT – EASY TO UNDERSTAND GUIDEBOOK
Families First Coronavirus Relief Act: Compliance Q and A
Mandatory poster for employee rights under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act
- One of the requirements of the FFCRA is that employers covered by this Act (those with fewer than 500 employees) must post this notice of employee rights under the Act. Businesses can either post this where they would post federal wage and hour posters or send to employees via electronic copy.
Small Business Exemption to Coronavirus Paid Leave (VIDEO)
- For more information about small business exemptions, check out this article
Families First Coronavirus Relief Act: Webinar Recap
DOL guidance for FFCRA leave with camp closures
Guidance on W2 reporting for FFCRA leave wages

PPP & CARES ACT:

UPDATE June 4, 2020
- Congress Passes Bill Amending Paycheck Protection Program
  - The bill has several changes and updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Congress has sent the bill to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law. To learn more about the updates click here

UPDATE April 16, 2020:
- The Small Business Administration issued the following statement today: "The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding. Similarly, we are unable to enroll new PPP lenders at this time."
- Clark-Mortenson will continue to monitor this topic and update this page as new information arrives.

CARES Act SBA Loan Flow Chart
- Easy to use guide to paycheck protection program and EIDL grants
Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses
- Click here for program overview and how to apply
Restaurant/Lodging COVID-19 information from our friends at NHLRA

SAFETY:

BUSINESS RESOURCES:

Business Continuity Guide
- Business continuity planning is the process of creating a plan now, so that you will be able to recover the most vulnerable parts of your company after a business interruption occurs. Click here for your comprehensive guide.
Guide to your employees working remotely
- While social distancing is being recommended many businesses are moving to a ‘remote’ workstation. See this attachment for guidelines for your employees working from home.
- Read this attachment to learn how business leaders can best manage their employees from home.
Easing employees' stress
- To say this is an unprecedented time is an understatement, while protecting your business is a top priority, protecting your employees and assuring them will also be of the utmost importance, follow the link for tips for reducing stress for employees.

Planning Ahead Post Covid-19 - Reopening your business after the shutdown
- With most states lifting some restrictions on operations, many businesses need help to manage and implement a return to work program. This guide will help you create your own return to work program.
The Employer's Guide to COVID-19
- This HR tool kit provides vital information on: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Coronavirus Aid, CARES Act, HIPAA privacy considerations, layoffs and furloughs, tax credits and much more!

DOL Unemployment Fraud Alert

DISCLAIMER OF INFORMATION REGARDING Coronavirus/COVID-19

The information accessible through the Clark-Mortenson website has been compiled from many sources that are not all controlled by Clark-Mortenson. The information surrounding Coronavirus/COVID-19 is very fluid and changes by the hour. While all reasonable care has been taken in the compilation and publication of the contents of this web site, Clark-Mortenson makes no representations or warranties, whether expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or suitability of the information or materials contained in this resource. Access to and use of the information herein is entirely at the risk of the user. Clark-Mortenson shall not be liable, directly or indirectly, to the user or any other third party for any damage resulting from the use of the information contained or implied in the Clark-Mortenson website. The information contained within this site is of a condensed and general informational nature only and can change from time to time. It should not, by itself, be relied upon in determining legal rights or other decisions. Clark-Mortenson has endeavored to attribute copyright or other intellectual rights to the rightful owners as appropriate. Where any attribution has been missed or overlooked, if notified, Clark-Mortenson will correct this omission. By proceeding into the information contained on this website you are accepting this disclaimer.

Covid-19 Business Resources