• NY Forward Business Industry Specific Guidance by Phase 
• Schools & Child Care Programs

• COVID Positive Employee/Student/Volunteer: 
• Complete and Submit Form to Report an Employee/Student/Volunteer who Tests Positive for COVID-19
• See Isolation, Quarantine, Return to Work Documents and Information
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  
  • PPE Vendor List for Businesses and Application to be Added to PPE List

  • Community Organization PPE Request Form

    This form is to be used by community groups, youth programs, block clubs, community centers and faith institutions/places of worship to request personal protective equipment (PPE).  See form for additional details.

• Financial Support  
  • Back to Business Grant Program - A $20 million relief fund offering direct financial assistance to qualifying Erie County-based small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Back to Business Grant Overview 
  • Back to Business Fact Sheet
  • Business Loans and Resources
  • Unemployment/Employment, Employee Paid Leave Rights, CARES Act
• Essential Business List
• Travel 
• Erie County Emergency Orders and NY State Executive Orders
• Additional Resources
• File a Complaint or Ask a Question     

NY Forward Related Information   

For questions regarding NY Forward, please contact Empire State Development (ESD):

• ESD Phone: 716-846-8200 or email: wnynyf@esd.ny.gov 
• See the Empire State Development (ESD) FAQs:  Frequently Asked Questions about NY Forward and Business Reopening
• See forward.ny.gov

NY Forward - Statewide Guidelines

• Includes Auto Racing, Child Care and Day Camps, Dentistry, Horse Racing Activities, Lake and Ocean Beaches, Professional Sports Training Facilities, Public Transportation, Religious and Funeral Services, Sports and Recreation
• NY State Statewide Guidelines

NY Forward – Phase I

• Includes Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, Retail Trade, Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Higher Education Research 
• NY State Phase I Guidance Documents 

NY Forward – Phase II

• Includes Offices, Real Estate, Essential and Phase II In-Store Retail, Vehicle Sales, Leases, and Rentals, Retail Rental, Repair, and Cleaning, Commercial Building Management, Hair Salons and Barbershops, Outdoor and Take-Out/Delivery Food Services
• NY State Phase II Guidance Documents       

NY Forward – Phase III

• Includes Personal Care and Food Services    
• NY State Phase III Guidance Documents  
• FAQs & Guidance on Outdoor Expansion of Licensed Premises in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak (NY State Liquor Authority)
• FAQs & Guidance on Requirement that Licensees With On-Premises Service Privileges Serve Food with Alcoholic Beverages (NY State Liquor Authority)

NY Forward – Phase IV   

• Includes Higher Education, Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools, Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment, Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment, Media Production, Professional Sports Competitions With No Fans, Malls, Fitness Centers/Gyms, Sports and Recreation, Gaming Facilities 
• Schools and Childcare Programs 
• Fitness Centers/Gyms
• Sports & Recreation
• Agritourism: Guidance & FAQs for Corn Mazes, Pick-Your-Own Fruit/Vegetable Operations, Hayrides and Haunted Houses 
• NY State Phase IV Guidance Documents 

Also See: 

• Healthcare Facilities
• Long-Term Care Facilities
• Additional Businesses/Groups/Sectors    

Business Loans and Resources

• Erie County Business Task Force: Immediate Targeted Assistance for Local Businesses Struggling with the Effects of COVID-19
• Empire State Development (ESD): Economic Recovery and COVID-19 Loans and Assistance 
• Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA): ECIDA COVID-19 Disaster Relief Business Programs or call 716-856-6525 
• Buffalo Niagara Partnership (BNP): Online informational and connection platform for businesses impacted by COVID-19 
• Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Loans: 
• SBA Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
• US Chamber Of Commerce Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide & Checklist
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Buffalo District Office or call 716-551-4301 or 1-800-659-2955    

Additional Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on New York Forward and Business Reopening; For questions not addressed in the FAQs, please email wnynyf@esd.ny.gov.  
• Business Reopening Lookup Tool  
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Buffalo District Office or call 716-551-4301 or 1-800-659-2955
• OSHA Guidance 
• Childcare Resource Network (CCRN): clearinghouse for childcare openings 
• CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers 
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC)
• NYSDOH COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
• ECDOH COVID-19 Information: (716) 858-2929
• Community Resources - a variety of resources available to help you deal with the COVID-19 situation