COVID-19 Resource for Business Community

Latest Information

April 12: Statement from NYS Health Commissioner Regarding Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

April 12: New Guidance Issued for Graduation Ceremonies

April 9: Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools Released

April 8: New NYS Interim Guidance for Small & Medium Scale Performing Arts and Entertainment Venues Announced and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Applications Open

April 6: $212 Billion Budget Deal Reached Among New York State Leaders in Albany*
*The Chamber is currently reviewing the $212 billion budget in terms of how it will impact the business community and our ongoing advocacy efforts. Although targeted assistance for industries impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns and state restrictions was included, additional business taxes and spending may ultimately hurt New York’s overall recovery.

April 2: Performing Arts and Entertainment Venues Can Reopen at 33 Percent Capacity Beginning Today and An Overview of the New COVID-19 Travel Advisory Also, Governors Issue Letter Asking President Biden to Support Repealing the SALT Cap.

March 31: Cuomo Signs Legislation Legalizing Adult-Use Cannabis

March 30: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Extended Through May 31, 2021

March 29: New Yorkers 30 Years of Age and Older Will Be Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine beginning March 30 and 16 Years of Age and Older Will be Eligible Beginning April 6

March 28: Agreement to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis Announced and Updated New York Forward Guidance for Indoor Amusement Facilities and Family Entertainment Centers Released

March 26: Excelsior Pass Launched to Help Fast-Track Reopening of Businesses and Entertainment Venues Statewide

March 25: Revised Nursing Home Visitation Guidance Announced

March 24: SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans

March 22: New Yorkers 50 Years of Age and Older Will Be Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine and Pharmacies Can Now Vaccinate New Yorkers with Comorbidities

March 19: SBA Launches Portal to Begin Accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications on April 8

March 17: Appointments Now Available at Ten New State-Run Mass Vaccination Sites, Including SUNY Corning Community College Site and Indoor Fitness Classes Can Begin Reopening Statewide on March 22 plus 11 PM Curfew Lifted for Casinos, Movie Theaters, Bowling Alleys, Billiard Halls, Gyms and Fitness Centers Beginning April 5

March 15: Wedding Receptions and Catered Events Can Now Resume Statewide. Detailed guidance for in-person and catered events can be found here. Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022.

March 12: Cuomo Signs Legislation Granting Employees Time off to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination

March 11: Quarantine for Domestic Travel Will No Longer Be Required Starting April 1st

March 10: Updated guidance for the NYS COVID-19 Vaccination Program, effective 3/10 and Interim Guidance for Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in New York State Following Out of State Travel​.

March 9: 60 Years of Age and Older and Additional Public Facing Essential Workers Will Be Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

March 8: Corning Community College and Others to Host Mass Vaccination Sites in Coming Weeks

March 7: Restaurants Outside New York City Can Move to 75 Percent Indoor Capacity Starting March 19

March 6: $29 Million Available to Support Essential Workers and First Responders Through the Empire Pandemic Grant Program

March 3: Important Events, Arts and Entertainment Venues Guidance Updates and Domestic Traveler Quarantine Requirements Adjusted. Additionally, the Chemung Chamber signs-on in support of a U.S. Chamber of Commerce coalition initiative urging Congress to extend the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to December 31, 2021 to ensure that the segment of small businesses facing the greatest obstacles do not get left behind.

March 2: Pilot Program Testing the Excelsior Pass Announced. The Excelsior Pass will use secure technology to confirm an individual’s vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test through a confidential data transfer to help fast-track the reopening of theaters, stadiums and other businesses in accordance with NYS guidelines. Additionally, Cuomo Announced a Pilot Program to Begin Administering Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine at State-Run Mass Vaccination Sites.

March 1: Hotel Workers Can Be Added to Eligible Population Under 1B Prioritization Group; Local Health Departments Determine How, Where, When to Schedule Appointments in Their Jurisdictions

February 24: Newly Updated Interim Guidance for Indoor and Outdoor Food Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

February 22: Billiard Halls Statewide, NYC Movie Theaters Allowed to Re-Open. Guidance Being Released for Weddings and Catered Events Scheduled to Resume March 15. Additionally, Cuomo Announces Expanded Guidelines for Nursing Home Visitations

February 19: Rapid Test Program Launched to Help Businesses and Catered Events Reopen Safely

February 17: Chemung Chamber Signs US Chamber Coalition Letter in Support of the Build by the Fourth of July Campaign and Indoor Family Entertainment Centers Can Open March 26, Outdoor Amusement Centers Can Open April 9, and Camps Can Begin to Plan for Summer Opening

February 12: Restaurants, Bars & Other SLA-Licensed Entities Closing Times Extended to 11 P.M. Statewide

February 8: New Yorkers with Comorbidities and Underlying Conditions Can Make Appointments at State-Run Mass Vaccination Sites Beginning February 14

February 5: List of Comorbidities and Underlying Conditions Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Starting February 15 Announced

February 4: Cuomo Issues Letter Asking NY Congressional Delegation for Fair Funding in Next Aid Package

February 3: 35 Community-Based Pop-Up Vaccination Sites Coming Online This Week Across the State

February 2: Federal Vaccine Supply to NY to Increase to 20 Percent for the Next Three Weeks and Wedding Receptions to be Allowed Under New Guidelines

January 27: Governor Cuomo Lifts Orange/Yellow Zone Restrictions in Chemung County and SBA to Provide One Year 8(a) Program Extension to Participants Due to COVID-19

January 25: Chemung County Unveils New Mass Vaccination Site

January 19: New York State FY 2022 Executive Budget Briefing Book Released and the State’s Vaccine Tracker Website is Launched

January 18: Cuomo Announces Proposal to Boost Partial Unemployment Benefits as Part of the 2021 State of the State and Requests to Purchase COVID-19 Vaccines Directly from Pfizer

January 14: Chemung County Orange Zone Restaurants to Allow Dining In with Yellow Zone Restrictions and Governor and Department of Labor Take Action to Protect Businesses from Higher UI Experience Charges Related to Pandemic Layoffs

January 12: Governor Cuomo Outlines 2021 Agenda: Reimagine | Rebuild | Renew and Announces Vaccine Eligibility for Ages 65+

January 8: SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance

January 6: SBA has issued the following Interim Final Rules related to the Paycheck Protection Program: Letter from the Administrator: SBA Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns; Interim Final Rule: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as Amended by the Economic Aid Act ; and Interim Final Rule: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Second Draw Loans 

January 6: Cuomo Asks Department of Homeland Security to Require COVID-19 Tests for International Airline Passengers and Proposes to Legalize and Create an Equitable Adult-use Cannabis Program as Part of the 2021 State of the State

January 4: All Public Health and Outpatient/Ambulatory Front-Line, High-Risk Health Care Workers, Home Care and Hospice Workers Providing Direct In-Person Patient Care Are Eligible to Receive First Dose of Vaccine

December 30: SBA Extends COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Deadline through Dec. 31, 2021

December 28: Cuomo Signs the Covid-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act Placing Moratorium on Residential Evictions Until May 1, 2021

December 26: State Health Department Issues New Guidance Aligning with CDC Guidance, Limiting Quarantine Period for Persons Exposed to COVID-19 to Ten Days Without Testing if No Symptoms. See complete guidance here.

December 22: Key Provisions for Small Businesses and Nonprofits in the $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill and a General Overview of the Stimulus Package. For detailed information, view the US Chamber Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans.

October 27: Chemung County Launches New COVID-19 Dashboard

October 6: Cuomo Announces New Cluster Action Initiative

October 1: COVID Alert NY App Launched, Individuals Encouraged to Participate

July 17: Detailed New York State Liquor Authority Guidance for Restaurants Effective Friday, July 17, 2020

June 6: Commercial Buildings Allowed to Conduct Temperature Checks

May 28: Businesses Authorized to Deny Entry to Those Not Wearing Face Coverings

Travel Advisory

For complete information on the new COVID-19 Travel Advisory guidelines, please go to NYS Department of Health or see links below. Click here for Interim Guidance for Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in New York State Following Out of State Travel​ as of 3.10.21. Please note, quarantine for domestic travel will no longer be required starting April 1st.

Travel Advisory

Traveler Health Form

Financial Support For Businesses

Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act (PPP) Resources and Forgiveness

In March of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act provided additional relief for the nation’s small businesses and hard-hit industries for programs the SBA is currently administering and adds new efforts, including:

• $7.25 billion additional for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including to expand eligibility to additional nonprofits and digital news services
• Additional funds are allocated for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, and now allows businesses to apply for both a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, and the SVOG. Apply for the SVOG here.
• $15 billion additional for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) payments, including NEW $5 billion for Supplemental Targeted EIDL Advance payments for those hardest hit
• NEW: $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for industry-focused grants. Click here for the Guide to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund from Senator Schumer’s office.  For more information on the program, click here to see the guide, including eligibility, provided by the National Restaurant Association.
• NEW: $100 million to establish a Community Navigator pilot program; grants will go to eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID–19 pandemic assistance programs and resources. 

SBA’s current relief efforts can be found at www.sba.gov/coronavirusrelief, and more details about these program updates and new efforts the SBA will administer in the coming weeks will be located there as well.

At the end of 2020, Congress passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Additional changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans.  Click here for a list of 7a Providers to apply for the PPP. Click here for more information on First Draw and Second Draw PPP.

Congress also made updates and changes to other programs – including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL Program), the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, and SBA loan programs –that will benefit small businesses. For details on all of these financial resources, please visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

To receive PPP loan forgiveness, a borrower must complete and submit the Loan Forgiveness Application (SBA Form 3508, 3508EZ, or Lender equivalent) to its Lender. A borrower may submit a Loan Forgiveness Application before the end of the 8-week or 24-week covered period, provided that the borrower has used all of the loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness and the borrower’s loan forgiveness application accounts for any salary reductions in excess of 25 percent for the full covered period. The Lender of record must review the Loan Forgiveness Application in accordance with the requirements of Part III.2.a. of IFR #15 on SBA Loan Review Procedures and Related Borrower and Lender Responsibilities.

SBA has posted detailed FAQs to assist borrowers in completing their PPP loan forgiveness application. Additional information may be found here.

For Loans of $50k or Less:
PPP Forgiveness Application Form 3508S 
3508S Instructions

Small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

For more information or to apply, click here.

Targeted EIDL Advance

The Targeted EIDL Advance provides businesses located in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency.

Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants located in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000, or those who applied but received no funds due to lack of available program funding.

Applicants do not need to take any action at this time. The SBA will reach out directly to those who qualify. SBA will first reach out to EIDL applications that already received a partial EIDL Advance (between $1,000 – $9,000). Applicants will be contacted directly by SBA via email in the coming weeks with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation. 

All communications from SBA will be sent from an official government email with an @sba.gov ending. Please do not send sensitive information via email to any address that does not end in @sba.gov.

Applicants may qualify if they:

• Are located in a low-income community. The definition of a “low-income community” is defined in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code. Note that the applicant must be located in a low-income community in order to qualify. Additional details on how SBA will identify low-income communities will be available soon on our Coronavirus Relief Options page; AND
• Can demonstrate more than 30% reduction in revenue during an 8-week period beginning on March 2, 2020, or later. If an applicant meets the low-income community criteria, they will be asked to provide gross monthly revenue (all forms of combined monthly earnings received, such as profits or salaries) to confirm the 30% reduction. 

Next, SBA will reach out to those who applied for EIDL assistance on or before December 27, 2020, but did not receive an EIDL Advance due to lack of program funding. These applicants will receive an email from SBA with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation. Applicants may qualify for a Targeted EIDL Advance if they meet the above criteria (low-income location and reduction in revenue) AND:

• Have 300 or fewer employees. Business entities normally eligible for the EIDL program are eligible, including sole proprietors, independent contractors, and private, nonprofit organizations. Agricultural enterprises are not eligible. 

All applicants may be asked to provide an IRS Form 4506-Tto allow SBA to request tax return information on the applicant’s behalf.

Please do not submit duplicate COVID-19 EIDL applications. Only prior applicants will be considered for the Targeted EIDL Advance.

SBA will reach out to you if you qualify!

Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)

The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted December 27, 2020, amended and extended the Employee Retention Credit (and the availability of certain advance payments of the tax credits) under section 2301 of the CARES Act. 

For the most current information on this tax credit, please click here.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

This new program consists of $28.6 billion in the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for industry-focused grants. Click here for the Guide to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund from Senator Schumer’s office.  For more information on the program, click here to see the guide, including eligibility, provided by the National Restaurant Association.

This information will be updated when the program is officially launched by the SBA.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

Eligible entities include:

• Live venue operators or promoters
• Theatrical producers
• Live performing arts organization operators
• Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
• Motion picture theater operators
• Talent representatives, and
• Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements

For more information click here. Apply for the SVOG here.

To view the webinar video on the Shuttered Venues Grant, click here.

REDEC Local Business Relief Program

Small business with at least 1 employee in addition to the owner, and up to 50 employees are eligible to apply for relief of $2,500 to $15,000 in Chemung County. Funds are to be repaid over 30 months with no interest (0%), with no payments required for the first 6 months. There is no cost to apply. Applicants must have been in business in March 2020 when the State’s PAUSE Act was implemented, demonstrate how they have been negatively impacted by the resulting economic crisis, and identify how the relief funds will be utilized to reopen their business operations and reemploy workers.

Please note, this program has been extended indefinitely beyond the original October 31, 2020 deadline.

Checklist for Emergency Fund Requirements

Chemung County Business Relief Program Guidelines

For additional information contact REDEC at (607) 962-3021 or Info@redec.us

NY Forward Loan Fund

When the NYFLF launched in May, the federal Small Business Administration had just issued rules regarding companies’ eligibility for federal assistance. The goal of the NYFLF was to help New York-based small businesses that did not receive PPP or EIDL funding with flexible working capital to reopen and adapt to post-COVID needs.

Effective immediately, small businesses and non-profits that received a PPP loan of $500,000 or less or EIDL loans of $150,000 or less can be eligible for a NYFLF loan:

An Eligible Small Business must:

• Employ *50* or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;
• Have gross revenues of less than *$5 million* per year;
• Must not have received a U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program of greater than $500,000 or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for COVID-19 of greater than $150,000;
• Have suffered a direct economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 related social distancing policies and stay-at-home order that have materially impacts their operations;
• Been in business for at least 1 year as of the date of the application; and
• Be located in the State of New York.

For more information and to start your pre-application visit:www.nyloanfund.com. To view a presentation on the program, click here. Please reference the FAQ and MWBE Info Sheet as well.

“Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund

Empire State Development (ESD) recently announced the more than $3 million “Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund to assist restaurants in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” will help eligible restaurants adjust their operations to the impacts of COVID-19 and adherence to New York State’s public health and safety measures during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited. Eligible restaurants can receive up to $5,000 to assist with COVID-19 safety measures.

 “Raising the Bar” grant funding can be used for COVID-19-related improvements and equipment that will allow the business to comply with social distancing guidelines, expand take-out/delivery operations, or accommodate outdoor dining such as plexiglass barriers/partitions, signage promoting social distancing and hygiene protocols, heaters, heat lamps, weatherization upgrades and insulated delivery bags;  improvements that will allow the business to continue operating through the winter months such as filtration system upgrades and food heaters to maintain temperature for to-go orders and purchasing PPE and sanitation supplies necessitated by the pandemic; and COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology. Qualifying purchases and expenditures must be from September 1, 2020 onwards to be eligible. Initial round of grants are up to $5,000.

Applications now being accepted through the Grant Portal.

Empire State Digital Initiative

New York State has partnered for a first-in-the-nation program with leading global e-commerce partners–Ritual ONE & PayPal, Shopify, Square, and Clearbanc–to accelerate New York State-based small businesses’ ability to grow their online presence.

The participating digital partners are offering specialized solutions such as education, free resources, marketing support and discounted pricing that are unique to the needs of New York State small business owners, restaurants and food service establishments.

For more information on this initiative, please go to the Empire State Digital site. For more information on offerings from Digital Partners, click here.

Restart Elmira Small Business Grant Program

These reimbursement grants are for COVID-19 related expense such as buying PPE, creating a new filtration system, investing in space heaters for outdoor dining, etc. The eligibility requirements are that the business must be in the City of Elmira and must have a 2020 gross sales revenue of under 1 million dollars.

Round 2 applications are due Friday, February 5, 2021.

For more information or to apply for this program, please click here.

CARES Act

SBA Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Loan Advance

Paycheck Protection Program– Reopened in 2021.

Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness

List of Local 7(a) Lenders Who Can Help with PPP Applications

Business Tax Provisions

Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF)

Intuit Aid Assist Estimator for Tax Credit and Paycheck Protection Program

Grant Sources

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant Program

The Community Foundation – COVID-19 Mini-Grants for Nonprofits

The ARTS Council 2020 Emergency Arts Relief Grant Program –  COVID-19 Grants for Artists

SBA Grants – General Homepage

Federal Grants – General Homepage

Relief for Taxpayers

www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Reopening Guidance

New York Forward: Phases One, Two, Three, and Four

New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool

New York Forward Statewide Guidance

Empire State Development (ESD) FAQ on New York Forward and Business Reopening

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus Resources

COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Guidance

Reopening Considerations for New York Employers

Industry Specific Guidance

Manufacturing: COVID-19 Back To Work Playbook

National Restaurant Association Reopening Guidance

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Pools and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds Interim Guidance

Retail: Operation Open Doors

U.S. Chamber Reopening Business Digital Resource Center

U.S. Travel Association Guidelines for Reopening Travel Businesses

Locally-Sourced Critical Supplies

Custom Reusable Masks – Rainbow Lettering 

Custom Reusable Masks & PPE – Bobby K Entertainment 

Face & Neck Shields – Email Scott Beecher or call 607-796-0149

Free Signage – Multi Media Services

Hand Sanitizer – Finger Lakes Distilling

Hand Sanitizer – Contact Enrique Viveros from Snap Fitness or call (607) 846-1759

PPE Items from NYS Certified Women Business Enterprise

Social Distancing Signs & Decals – JH Design

Thermal Imaging Cameras for Pandemic Response – Email Scott Beecher or call 607-796-0149

Paid Leave

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

Employer Paid Leave Requirements

Employer Tax Credits

Unemployment Benefits

Learn More About FFCRA

US Chamber Guide for Employers

US Chamber What Businesses Need to Know

Get Help with the FFCRA

DOL FAQ

DOL Resources

FFCRA Employee Rights Poster

NY COVID-19 Paid Leave Programs

Guidance for Employers

NYS Paid Sick Leave Program Website

Learn More about NYS COVID-19 Paid Leave

Employee Notice on Paid Sick Leave

Employee Retention Tax Credit

NYS FAQ page

1-888-364-3065 (NYS Coronavirus COVID-19 Hotline)