SCAC COVID-19 Disaster Relief RESOURCES

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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION UPDATES LINK

LATEST UPDATES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ARE LISTED BELOW:

Thursday, June 25th:

The application for the New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive and Temporary Operating Assistance Application has been posted. Please see info below. 

The application has been posted to the website at the link below.  It’s the first item, “New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive and Temporary Operating Assistance Application”:
There are two separate grants available: 
  • One to assist reopening and expansion of capacity in child care programs by providing materials and activities to support a more socially distant model, and for supplies associated with reopening and expansion.
  • The Second is to assist reopening and expansion of capacity in child care programs by providing temporary operating assistance as the program reopens or increases capacity.
The application is noncompetitive – programs that meet eligibility requirements and submit a competed application will receive at least a portion of their maximum grant amount (full grant amounts may be reduced in order to support all eligible programs, depending on demand).  Legally exempt programs are also able to participate through a separate application.  The program is reimbursement based, though there is a 25% advance available.  Programs that are currently operating and will not be expanding may be eligible for materials, activities and supplies grants on a prorated basis, if funds are available.   The application deadline is 5 PM on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

Wednesday, June 24th:
COVID19 Travel Advisory - Governor Cuomo announced on an incoming travel advisory that all individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID19 quarantine for 14 days. This went into effect at midnight June 24th. Below is the pres release. This quarantine applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.  
You can find more information about the travel advisory at this website, including the applicable states:  https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory

Phase 4 guidance has been posted in the NY Forward website: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industriesPhase 4 includes:

  • Higher education: including but not limited to community and junior colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools, medical schools, and technical schools. 
  • Low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment​: outdoor zoos, botanical gardens, nature parks, grounds of historic sites and cultural institutions, outdoor museums, outdoor agritourism, local agricultural demonstrations and exhibitions; and other similar institutions/activities. 
  • Low-risk indoor arts and entertainment: indoor museums, historical sites, aquariums, and other related institutions or activities​.
  • Media production: “media production activities” encompass all activities undertaken in motion picture, music, television, and streaming productions on set, on location, or at any production or recording site. 
In addition, Governor Cuomo announced that in Phase 4, the gathering limit will increase to 50 people and indoor religious gatherings will increase from 25% capacity to 33% capacity. 
  
While Long Island just entered Phase 3 on Wednesday, June 24th, businesses in Phase 4 are encouraged to read the guidelines, submit an affirmation, and complete and print the safety plan in order to begin preparing for the next phase.   Information is available on the NY Forward website about what businesses are permitted to reopen in Phase 3:  https://forward.ny.gov/phase-three-industries ​. Businesses must read the guidelines, submit an affirmation, and complete and print the safety plan. In this phase, the large gathering limit increases for 10 people to 25 people. 
Effective July 6th, in regions that have reached or surpassed Phase 3, ice rinks may open to permit the activities outlined in the sports and recreation guidance.​
 
NYS GUIDANCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION UNDER "PHASE 4":  https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries

NYS DOH RESUMING IN-PERSON EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM SERVICES: Executive Order 202.43: This includes the provision to strengthen enforcement to prevent large gatherings. As per the EO: "...businesses shall be further required to inspect, monitor, & otherwise supervise the area within 100 feet of the licensed premises to ensure that any consumption of food or beverage comports with the applicable open container ordinances, & the social distancing & face covering requirements set forth for such business or service in any applicable Executive Order, regulation, ordinance, law, Department of Health guidance, and/or State Liquor Authority guidance..." https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20243-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency ​.

NYS - SPORTS CAMPS are permitted to open on 6/29 (the start date for day camps statewide): They are permitted to do individual skill-building and training -- no contact, pursuant to the day camp guidance (page 5-6). Day camp guidance can be found here:  https://forward.ny.gov/statewide-guidelines . They must adhere to all day camp guidance. Any other training beyond day camp activities is not permitted.  Beginning July 6th, the sports and recreation guidance will be applicable. That guidance can also be found at this link towards the bottom:  https://forward.ny.gov/statewide-guidelines . All sports and recreation activities  must abide by this guidance  as it applies to them. 

Phased Reopening: Long Island is currently in Phase 2 of reopening and is anticipated to enter Phase 3 as early as June 24th, pending review of metrics by global public health experts. Guidance for each phase can be found on the NY Forward website: https://forward.ny.gov/. If you scroll down, there is a button for each phase. When you click the button, there is guidance for the businesses that are permitted to be open. In addition, businesses must submit an affirmation and complete and print the safety plan (affirmations and safety plans are found under each phase for each business). We encourage you to share this website and information with your constituents, local organizations, and businesses.

The guidelines for each industry includes information about occupancy, physical distancing, PPE use, disinfecting, employee safety, and other procedures. Phase 3 industries are encouraged to review the guidelines and submit affirmations now in anticipation of moving into Phase 3 next week.

Phase 1: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-one-industries

Phase 2: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-one-industries

Phase 3: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-three-industries

Phase 4: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries

Statewide Guidelines: Information about statewide guidelines can be found on the NY Forward website under "statewide guidelines": https://forward.ny.gov/statewide-guidelines. This link includes guidelines, affirmations, and safety plans for the following:

  • Child Care and Day Camps (day camps can reopen on June 26th)
  • ​Lake and Ocean Beaches
  • Religious and Funeral Services
  • Racing Activities
  • Dentistry (which includes orthodontics)
  • Auto Racing
  • Professional Sports Training Facilities
  • Public Transportation

Reopening Lookup Tool: Businesses that are unclear if they can currently be open or what restrictions might be in place, can utilize the business reopening look-up tool to self-certify. They can search by county and NAICS code or business description. The tool can be found at this link: https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward​. 

Empire State Development Essential Business Guidance: Regardless of phase, the industries listed in the ESD essential business guidance are still permitted to be open. The link can be found here: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026

Large Gatherings: Pursuant to Executive Order 202.33, gatherings are currently limited to up to 10 people. When a region enters Phase 3, the gathering limit increases to up to 25 people.

State Liquor Authority Information: On the New York State Liquor Authority website, there is helpful information for delivery/takeout, licensing FAQ, and guidance for outdoor dining FAQ: https://sla.ny.gov/** Please note that all bars are required by law to serve food. Therefore, they should follow the outdoor dining guidance in Phase 2 and then the food service guidance in Phase 3. All to-go alcohol purchases require a food purchase.

Graduations: ​Currently, in-person graduations of up to 150 people total can be held beginning June 16th. NYS DOH will continue to monitor public health data and will revise this guidance in July 2020 to reflect any changes to the restrictions on large, in-person gatherings. Attached is the most recent graduations guidance from DOH.

Hospital and Group Home Visitations: Governor Cuomo announced that hospitals and group homes will be allowed to accept visitors at their discretion. Any facility that chooses to allow visitors must follow state guidelines, including time-limited visits and requiring visitors to wear PPE and be subject to symptom and temperature checks. The hospital visitation program expands on a pilot program that was launched in May, which demonstrated that hospitals could provide safe visitation for patients and families. Hospitals statewide will now be able to provide visitation. Group homes certified by the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities will be allowed to accept visitors beginning Friday, June 19th, provided they adhere to state guidance and certify compliance to OPWDD prior to commencing visitation. The prohibition on nursing home visitors remains in place as the state Department of Health continues to review. ** Guidance is being finalized and will be shared ASAP.

Special Education: On June 5th, Governor Cuomo announced that "special education services and instruction required under Federal, state or local laws, rules, or regulations, may be provided in person for the summer term in school districts. Any district providing such services in person must follow State and Federal guidance." This is pursuant to Executive Order 202.37. Attached is the special education advisory from NYSDOH.  

Pools: Pools are permitted to be open. Municipalities can determine if they do or do not want to open their pools. Attached is the pool advisory from NYSDOH. This is interim guidance for the public and private owners and operators of pools and recreational aquatic spray grounds, including but not limited to cities, villages, towns, campgrounds, children’s camps, day cares, hotels, assisted living facilities, schools, colleges, universities, mobile home parks, homeowners’ associations, and apartment complexes. 

Sports and Recreation: Sports and recreation guidance has been posted on the NY Forward website under "Statewide Guidance." It can be found at this link towards the bottom: https://forward.ny.gov/statewide-guidelines. This guidance is effective on July 6th in regions that have reached or surpassed Phase 3 of the State’s reopening.​​ Organizations must read and affirm guidance, as well as complete and print the safety plan.  These guidelines apply to non-professional and non-collegiate sports and recreation activities (e.g. youth sports), inclusive of indoor and out​door sports and recreation, as well as organized and non-organized sports and recreation. These guidelines also apply to outdoor sports and recreational activities conducted by gyms, fitness centers, training facilities, and other related facilities. However, gyms, fitness centers, and other such facilities are limited to no more participants than is allowed under the non-essential gathering restriction that is in effect for their region. Gyms, fitness centers, and other facilities are prohibited from conducting indoor activities at this time. Additional guidance on gyms and fitness centers is forthcoming to supplement these guidelines.​

Low-Risk Recreation Activities:  These are the current o utdoor, low-risk recreational activities that are permitted with​ social distancing and cleaning/disinfecting measures are in place (this is as per the ESD essential business guidance #13 recreation: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026):
  • tennis;
  • non-motorized boat use and rentals, such as row boats, kayaks, canoes; 
  • golf and driving ranges, except miniature (mini) golf, with food and retail services subject to the restrictions that are currently in effect within the region;
  • racket games, such as badminton, pickleball, racquetball;
  • toss/bowl games, such horseshoes, bocce, bean bag toss, croquet;
  • flying disc games, such as disc golf and frisbee;
  • shuffleboard;
  • aerial rope courses or zip lining;
  • rope courses including aerial rope courses;
  • batting cages;
  • shooting ranges; and
  • swim classes and swim instruction.
Evictions:
The eviction moratorium is in place until at least August 20th. NYS Homes and Community Renewal has a helpful FAQ for tenants, landlords, and homeowners at this link:  https://hcr.ny.gov/covid-19-helpful-links-and-faqs.

Houses of Worship:
​Houses of worship can currently have services with 25% occupancy. 

Unemployment Assistance:

New York Forward Loan Fund Program:
New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE.  NYFLF targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90% of all businesses), nonprofits and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income.

Malls:
Malls remained closed. Specifically, any indoor common portions of retail shopping malls with 100,000 or more square feet of retail space available for lease must remain closed to the public; however,  any stores  without their own external entrance(s) may operate via curbside pickup in Phase 1 and 2 providing purchased items to customers at or near the general mall entrance and  any stores with their own external entrance(s) separate from the general mall entrance (e.g. strip malls, anchor tenants), may open for curbside and in-store pickup in Phase 1 and all in-store retail activities in Phase 2;
Daily metric dashboard to track COVID19 current test results by region found here:   https://forward.ny.gov/covid-19-regional-metrics-dashboard

Garage and yard sales – as informal events for the sale of used goods by private individuals in residential settings – are permitted to operate  so long as sellers ensure that (1) occupancy of the space used for the sale is limited to the number of people who can be safely and appropriate spaced such that each person is at least six feet away from others and, in no case, should the space be occupied by more than 10 people at any given time, in accordance with  Executive Order 202.33 , as extended; (2) appropriate face coverings must be used by people in areas or situations where they are likely to come within six feet of another individual, in accordance with  Executive Order 202.17 , as extended; and (3) adequate hand hygiene supplies (e.g. hand sanitizer) and regular cleaning/disinfection protocols are in place.  Sellers may consult the  New York Forward   safety plan template  for additional precautions that they should consider implementing during such sales.

There is no numeric capacity limit for outdoor dining. As per the guidance, outdoor dining capacity is limited "to the number of tables that can be safely and appropriately arranged, such that each table is a minimum of 6 ft. away from another. Wherever distancing is not feasible between tables, enact physical barriers between such tables.​"

*Restaurant must adhere to all guidance for outdoor dining. Guidance can be found on the NY Forward website under "Phase Two": https://forward.ny.gov/phase-two-industries.


Executive order 202.40 has been posted at this link: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20240-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency​. 

1. This EO amends nursing home employee testing protocol to reduce the requirement to once per week to regions in phase two. 

2. The EO also allows for a  re-vote for a school budget. As per the EO: "In the event that the original budget proposed by a school district is not approved by the voters at an election held on June 9, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order 202.26, any resubmission to the voters of the original or revised budget shall be conducted at a date and by a process determined by and subject to a future Executive Order, provided, however, such revote shall not occur prior to July 9, 2020."


NYS Department of Health for in-person special education services and instruction - click here for PDF
This has been added to schools (under Guidance/Letters/Updates):  https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/protecting-public-health-all-new-yorkers.​
​As well as on the Coronavirus homepage, under “What You Need to Know”:  https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.



NY Forward Website  - Information about phased reopening and what will be included in each phase is available at https://forward.ny.gov/. This website will continuously be updated as the information is made available. In addition, guidelines and printable safety templates will be on this website for each industry as it is made available.

Empire State Development Website  - All businesses should follow the Empire State Development essential business guidance.


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Business Recovery Unit & Suffolk County Survey - https://suffolkcountyny.gov/bru

Community Updates from County Executive Steve Bellone - Dept. of Health, Dept. of Social Services, Walk-in Clinics, SNAP, TA & MA - click and scroll down for details

COVID-19 Resource - Non-English Speaking Patients & Immigrant Communities

Essential Businesses in Suffolk County Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) - Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services (FRES) 

Executive Order - Essential Business -  https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
Executive Order - Insurance Update -  New York Department of Financial Services
Executive Order - Requiring Face Masks in Public -  April 17, 2020 Update

How the public can participate remotely in upcoming Suffolk County Legislature meetings   

International Economic Development Council - COVID-19 Update

Sign up for COVID-19 Updates from Governor's Office - https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates

Suffolk County IDA - https://www.suffolkida.org

Town of Smithtown COVID-19 Info - https://smithtownny.gov 

Town of Islip Economic Development Resources for Businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic - http://islipida.com/covid

World Impact COVID-19 - https://ncov2019.live/data

2020 Long Island Guide to Elected Officials & Economic Development

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CDC Website - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

2020 Census Press Release April 13, 2020 

EPA Disinfectants - https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

OSHA - Prepare Workplace - https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf


Legal Advice CMM Coronavirus Resource Hub - Click here
Phone: (631) 738-6781     Email: coronarelief@cmmllp.com


Small Business Registration for the Suffolk County Shield Programwww.SCPDShield.org

Childcare Council of Suffolk County is pairing daycare openings with emergency workers. Daycare owners are members of the CSEA and are accepting children of union members and emergency workers: http://www.childcaresuffolk.org 

*Supermarket Job Opportunities* Both looking to immediately hire temporary and possible permanent positions

ShopRite.com   and   StopandShop.com   COVID-19 Food Safety Tips: https://youtu.be/sjDuwc9KBpsU

Suffolk County Operating & Reopening Practices by Industry Sector  https://forward.ny.gov/ https://forward.ny.
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