Coronavirus Business Recovery Resources & Info

Business Reopening Guidance

General:

07/29/2020: Reopen Connecticut: Updated Industry Rules Now Available

While we have paused on the Phase 3 reopening of the state to protect the health of all of our residents, we have made some updates to our industry-specific rules after consulting with industry leaders and public health officials.  These updates provide more specific guidance, as well as new recommendations for a broad range of sectors.  These and other sector-specific updates go into effect immediately. Businesses and non-profits that have already completed the self-certification process as part of Phases 1 or 2 do not need to re-register, but must comply with any new rules for their sector.

• Roadmap For Reopening Connecticut Plan
• Connecticut Small Business Reopening Resource Guide from CT.gov
• Connecticut Business Reopening and Recovery Center

Amusement Parks:  

• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen:  english / espanol 

Hotels / Lodging:   

• 07/29/20 Hotels are now permitted to provide non-essential services and amenities (e.g., valets, ice machines).
• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 

Restaurants:   

• 07/29/20 Changes impacting Restaurants:

  • Servers are no longer required to wear gloves.
  • Indoor performances are now allowed (with the exception of musical vocalists).
  • City of Stamford allows outdoor dining until 10 PM; Sunday thru Thursday and until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday
• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 
• Temporary Expansion of Outdoor Dining and Retail:
  • Temporary Outdoor Patio Food Service Guidelines (PDF)
  • Executive Order No. 7MM (PDF)

Indoor recreation (e.g., bowling, movie theaters, etc.):  

• 7/29/20 New rules for Indoor Recreation and expanded guidance for Outdoor Events.
• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 

Libraries:  

• 07/29/20 Changes impacting Offices, Personal Services, Hair Salons & Barbershops, Retail, Libraries, etc:

  • Non-essential businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask. 
  • In the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19, it is recommended the business implement a 24-hour passive decontamination and follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. 
  • For bathrooms, the posting of signage encouraging reduced capacity and reminding individuals to wash their hands and wear masks is suggested.
• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 

Museums, zoos, and aquariums:  

• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 

Offices:

• 07/29/20 Changes impacting Offices, Personal Services, Hair Salons & Barbershops, Retail, Libraries, etc:
  • Non-essential businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask. 
  • In the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19, it is recommended the business implement a 24-hour passive decontamination and follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. 
  • For bathrooms, the posting of signage encouraging reduced capacity and reminding individuals to wash their hands and wear masks is suggested.
• May 20, 2020 Reopening Rules/Guidance (Link)

Outdoor events:  

• 07/29/20 New rules for Indoor Recreation and expanded guidance for Outdoor Events.
• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 

Personal services (e.g., nail salons, tattoo parlors, etc.):  

• 07/29/20 Changes impacting Offices, Personal Services, Hair Salons & Barbershops, Retail, Libraries, etc:

  • Non-essential businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask. 
  • In the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19, it is recommended the business implement a 24-hour passive decontamination and follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. 
  • For bathrooms, the posting of signage encouraging reduced capacity and reminding individuals to wash their hands and wear masks is suggested.
• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol 

Retail & Malls:

• 07/29/20 Changes impacting Offices, Personal Services, Hair Salons & Barbershops, Retail, Libraries, etc:

  • Non-essential businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask. 
  • In the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19, it is recommended the business implement a 24-hour passive decontamination and follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. 
  • For bathrooms, the posting of signage encouraging reduced capacity and reminding individuals to wash their hands and wear masks is suggested.
• Temporary Expansion of Outdoor Dining and Retail:
  • Temporary Outdoor Retail Business Guidelines (PDF)
  • Executive Order No. 7MM (PDF)
• May 20, 2020 Reopening Rules/Guidance (Link)

Sports and fitness facilities (e.g., gyms, fitness centers, pools, etc.):  

• 7/29/20 New rules for Indoor Recreation and expanded guidance for Outdoor Events.
• June 17 Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen: english / espanol
  Social Clubs to follow all rules applicable to their operation (e.g. Restaurant, Pool)

PPE Resources

• Community Social Responsibility and Creating Employment and Opportunities for People Supported by the Kennedy Center (PDF)

Financial Resources for Business Recovery

• Main Street Lending Program for small and mid size businesses with loans from $250,000-$500,000
• The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is accepting applications for its CARES Act Emergency Relief Grants. These grants are for Connecticut non-profit arts organizations that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Funds may be used for:
  • Salary support, full or partial, for positions that are critical to an organization’s mission
  • Fees for artists and/or contractual personnel to maintain or expand the period during which such persons would be engaged
  • Facility / occupancy costs, such as rent and utilities
  • Costs directly associated with an organization’s ability to continue operations now and in the future

Due to limited funds and anticipated high volume of applications, grantees will be randomly selected from the pool of eligible applicants with attention to geographic distribution.  Click here for details and to apply

• Public Utility Assistance:
  • Taking Action on Behalf of CT Businesses-Public Utilities Companies Response to COVID-19 (PDF)
  • Webinar-Taking Action on Behalf of CT Businesses-Public Utilities Companies Response to COVID-19 (PDF)
• U.S. Chamber Grants for Small Business
• Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program (MVP): Connecticut manufacturers can apply for state grants of up to $75,000 to assist in the production of critical equipment and supplies needed to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. The grants, offered through the state’s Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program, can be used for working capital, new equipment, and other purposes that help companies build capacity or repurpose their operations. Funding for this short-term program is limited to $1.3 million and requires a one-to-one match from participating businesses.
• Zero interest loans for CT Minority and Women Owned Businesses: HEDCO, Inc. has partnered with the State of Connecticut, the CT Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) and the CT Minority Business Initiative to provide financial relief to minority-owned and women-owned small businesses negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.  
• Mortgage Forbearance Assistance
• Small Business Debt Relief Program: This program will provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504, and microloans. Under it, SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within six months of the CARES Act’s enactment.  
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants: These grants provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private non-profits harmed by COVID-19 within three days of applying for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). To access the advance, you must first apply for an EIDL and then request the advance. The advance does not need to be repaid under any circumstance, and may be used to keep employees on payroll, to pay for sick leave, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or pay business obligations, including debts, rent and mortgage payments.
• Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program
• U.S. Small Business Assistance Disaster Loans: Businesses can now apply for loans of up to $2 million through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA also has valuable information for businesses. Here is a link to a webinar that explains how to apply for the SBA loan. There are also step by step instructions on completing the loan application. If your business needs assistance with SBA loans or any other DECD program, call the business hotline at 860-500-2333 or visit U.S. Small Business Assistance Disaster Loans.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Programis a loan designed to help small businesses stay open and provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
  • SBA will forgive portions of loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
  • The Paycheck Protection Program will be available April 3, through June 30, 2020.
  • Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program for more information.
• Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Coronavirus Business Recovery

Free Technical Assistance Resources

• State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) - Business Recovery Hotline 1-860-500-2333
• The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is converting its entrepreneurial programs and business counseling to virtual classrooms via Zoom or on-demand webinars. You can find all the information you need on the website, https://ctwbdc.org. WBDC is also prepared to assist clients who will apply for the SBA Small Business Disaster Relief Loan.  Please contact us at info@ctwbdc.org
• Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC): The center has 14 Business Advisors available to assist with the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan application. Advisors provide no-cost, confidential assistance with forecasting loss, explaining impacting, reviewing statements, and discussing other loan and assistance options. CTSBDC continues to offer online training courses and assistance with business plans, marketing strategies, and market research. Visit CTSBDC’s COVID-19 Resource Center at https://ctsbdc.com/covid19-businessresourcecenter and register for EIDL assistance at https://ctsbdc.com/request-advising/grow-a-business/
• SCORE (Senior Corp of Retired Executives): For over 50 years, SCORE has served as America’s premier source of free business mentoring and education.  As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964. They are providing mentoring to help navigate business recovery resources.  Connect with SCORE at https://www.score.org/.

Employee Resources

• Connecticut Temporary Housing Assistance Initiatives (PDF)
• Where can I obtain working papers?
  • Working papers are issued from Trumbull High School’s main office throughout the year. Due to security protocol, you must have an appointment. In order to be eligible for working papers, you must meet the following requirements:
    • You must be 16 years old and show proof of age, this proof must be shown on a legal document such as a birth certificate, driver’s license, or passport. (If you are 18 years old or older you do not need working papers.) For more information on ages and restrictions see the Connecticut Working Papers Manual https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/CTE/WBL/WP.pdf?la=en.
    • You must have a “Promise of Employment” letter which is provided by your future employer on their letterhead, stating your name, what type of position (cashier, stock clerk, etc.), rate of pay and number of hours you will be working weekly.
  • Email dcamara@trumbullps.org at Trumbull High School for more information on how to obtain your working papers and/or to schedule an appointment.
• A Guide To Find Work During The Coronavirus Pandemic
• Tracking Coronavirus Unemployment in Connecticut
• How to Pay for Coronavirus Healthcare
• Your Rights If You Have to Miss Work Due to Coronavirus
• How Small Business Can Stay Afloat During Coronavirus
• Mortgage Forbearance Assistance
• Unemployment Insurance:  Information on Filing for Unemployment Benefits If you become unemployed due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you should file for unemployment benefits. Click here for more information. For frequently asked questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) for workers and employers click here.
  • http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/UI-online/unemployedduetocoronavirus.pdf
  • http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF
  • http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/UI-online/index.htm
• Student Loan Relief: The bill defers payments, principal, and interest for all federally-owned student loans through September 30, 2020. Student borrowers will also continue to receive credit toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Driven Repayment forgiveness, and loan rehabilitation.
  
  Starting in August, student loan borrowers will begin to receive notices to help inform them that their regular loan payments will resume at the end of September. These notices are intended to provide a transition period to help borrowers stay on track as regular loan payments begin again and to enroll in other relief options (such as income-driven repayment) at such time.
  
  Please review https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus for more information.
  
  Student Loan Debt Collection: The CARES Act suspends forced collections, which includes garnishment of wages, tax refunds, or other federal benefits, for borrowers that defaulted on their student loans. Negative credit reporting is also prohibited through this time period.
  
  Federal Work-Study Support: CARES allows schools to make work-study payments available to students unable to work due to work-place closure.
  
  Exclusion from Loan Limits: If a student dropped out as a result of COVID-19, it excludes the term from counting toward lifetime subsidized loan eligibility and lifetime Pell Grant eligibility.
  
  Employer Educational Assistance: For this year, only employers can also contribute up to $5,250 towards an employee’s student loan debts tax-free.
• The WorkPlace, Inc.- The American Job Center: 
  • Information for employers and jobseekers due to COVID-19.   
  • List of online services for employers. 
  • Rob Hebert heads up business services in the American Job Center.