As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, there is much developing news and rightful concern. For that reason, the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce has postponed or cancelled all of our events in March and April. Upon the recommendation of local officials and health agents, we believe it would not be possible to offer these events in the spirit they are intended and without fear of adversely affecting the health of attendees. We will continue to rely upon the recommendations and the professional expertise of our local and state officials during this health emergency and relay the best information possible to local business owners to understand and respond.
Latest News:
Governor Baker Mandates Face Coverings in Public Spacing Where Social Distancing Not Possible.
- Read the order here.
- Download Mask Requirement Poster for your window.
- COVID-19 Relief Funds for Small Businesses & Non-Profits (Updated April 24)
- State & Local COVID-19 News & Updates
- Small Business Ecomomic Relief Information
- State and Local Government Resource Sites
- Business Resource Sites
- Chamber Developed Resources
- COVID-19 Preperation & Response
State & Local COVID-19 News & Updates
- ABCC Guidance for Restaurants Selling Alcohol Off-Premise
- Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Package Analysis (3/26/20)
- SBA Express Bridge Loan (EBL) Pilot Program has been modified and the term extended (3/26/20)
- Watch the Legislative Update Call with Senator Lewis and Rep. Day on Stoneham TV on demand.
- COVID-19 Small Business Resources - Sen. Jason Lewis
- Essential Service Designation Request Form (3/24/2020)
- Governor Charlie Baker Orders All Non-Essential Businesses To Cease In Person Operation, Directs the Department of Public Health to Issue Stay at Home Advisory For Two Weeks (3/24/2020)
- SBA Approves Massachusetts Disaster Declaration (3/18/2020)
- Baker-Polito Administration Makes New Announcements on Childcare, Small Business Tax Relief and Unemployment Insurance Legislation Related to COVID-19 (3/18/2020)
- Governor Baker's Large Gatherings 25 and Restaurants Order (3/15/2020)
- Free NFIB Webinar: How Small Business, Workers, and Workplaces Should Respond to COVID-19 (3/12/2020)
- Massachusetts Issues Policies and Procedures Restricting Visitors to Nursing Homes and Rest Homes to Reduce Risk of Coronavirus (3/11/2020)
- Governor Baker Declares State of Emergency to Support Commonwealth’s Response to Coronavirus (3/10/2020)
Small Businesses Economic Relief
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
MA Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Baker-Polito Administration acted quickly to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program which assists eligible businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19. EIDLs provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses until normal operations resume.
- SBA Disaster Assistance Resources for Businesses
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Fact Sheet
- SBA Working Capital Loans Available in MA Due to Coronavirus
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Tax Relief Legislation Enacted
Tax relief measures enacted for small local businesses which have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. This tax relief includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes that would be due in March, April and May so that they will instead be due on June 20. Additionally, all penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.
- Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and business that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes.
- The Department of Revenue is currently drafting emergency regulations to implement these administrative relief measures.
Unemployment Benefits Streamlined
The state legislation and Governor Baker enacted S.2599 to provide unemployment assistance to workers impacted by COVID-19. This legislation will allow new claims to be paid more quickly by waiving the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.
State & Local Government Resource Pages
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Information Page Contains daily updates and reports on current cases in Massachusetts, printable fact sheets, measures being taken by state government.
Town of Stoneham Board of Health Find updates, alerts and general information about what is being done locally to address this issue.
Resources for Businesses
Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Developed by the Small Business Association and includes information around the following areas:
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- SBA Products and Resources
- Government Contracting
- Local Assistance
COVID-19 Safety and Health Standards, Control & Prevention An overview of information for workers and employers about the evolving coronavirus outbreak. Includes links to OSHA standards, control and prevention, by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Coronavirus Resource Page A resource page by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, including links to Resilience in a Box and Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Quick Guides.
Create your own Crisis Management Plan Click here for resources on creating your own Crisis Management Plan
Chamber Developed Resource Guides
Corona Virus Resource Guide A resource guide by NC Chamber
2019 Novel Coronavirus Resource Page A resource page for chamber members, Asian Chamber of Commerce (TX)
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Pandemic Preparedness Tactical and practical resources for internal chamber crisis management and resources to share with members, Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Preparing and Responding to Coronavirus
Pandemic Guidance A brief outline of how to prepare before and respond during a pandemic by Ready.gov, official website of the Department of Homeland Security.
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDC recommended guidance for employers, including advice for developing a response plan and steps that all employers can implement now. Based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Feb 2020)
Key planning recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak: Interim guidance A guide outlining key planning considerations for organizers of mass gatherings in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, by the World Health Organization (WHO) (Feb 14, 2020)
Understanding the Coronavirus - Webinar about the impact of coronavirus on the private sector and how companies should consider their response, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Jan 27, 2020)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): What You Need to Know - Free webinar hosted by Baker Donelson to learn about how you can safeguard your business from the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak.
After Travel Precautions - To slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into the United States, CDC is working with state and local public health partners to implement after-travel health precautions.