TIMELY INFO: Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Loans and Guidance Document
NYS on PAUSE
- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has taken aggressive action to combat the spread of the infectious COVID-19 virus, as suspected and confirmed cases have surged around the world. Specifically, the Governor has imposed sweeping measures to protect public health and safety, including restrictions on businesses and gatherings through Executive Orders designed to reduce public density and slow the rate of transmission. These measures, together known as “New York State on PAUSE,” directed all non-essential businesses to close their in-person operations and banned all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason. (See Executive Orders 202.6, 202.7, 202.8, 202.10, and 202.11.)
- PAUSE 10 Point Policy
- Essential Business List: Contact Empire State Development for questions about Essential Businesses
- NYSDOH Protocols for Personnel in Healthcare and Other Direct Care Settings to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection (Updated 03/31/2020)
- NYSDOH Protocols for Personnel Other than those in Healthcare and Other Direct Care Settings to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection (Updated 03/31/2020)
NY on PAUSE Complaints: If you are aware of any non-essential gatherings or any non-essential businesses or entities operating in violation of "New York on PAUSE" please choose the appropriate complaint below to file a complaint.
- To file a complaint about a restaurant or bar in Erie County: ECDOH Environmental Health: Call 716-961-6865 or file a complaint online
- To file a complaint about another type of business, location or incident in your community: New York on PAUSE' Enforcement Task Force: Call 1-833-789-0470 or file a complaint online
- To file a complaint against your employer or place of work: NY State Department of Labor: Call 1-833-789-0470 or file a complaint online
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): Employee Paid Leave Rights (Link not compatible with Internet Explorer)
- FFCRA requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.
- Fact Sheets, Questions and Answers and More Info (Link not compatible with Internet Explorer)
- The Executive Order relaxes provisions of Mental Hygiene law regarding site approvals and use of qualified personnel. The Order modifies specific sections of Insurance Law, Banking Law and Education Law. Election Law has been modified with additional language regarding Special Elections. School board, library board, or village election scheduled to take place in April or May of 2020 is hereby postponed until at least June 1, 2020. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
- This Executive Order modifies specific provisions of the Election Law and Tax Law during the response to COVID-19. The order changes the date of the presidential primary and any special elections to June 23, 2020. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
- This Executive Order modifies specific provisions of the Mental Hygiene Law, Social Services Law, Education Law, Public Officers Law, Public Authorities Law, General Municipal Law, General Business Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law to relax regulations during the response to COVID-19. Some of the items include relaxing guidance for pharmacist, the authority to produce hand sanitizer. The order directs that schools will remain closed until April 15, 2020. The order limits the dispensing of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine. The order also relaxes some expiration of vehicle safety inspections. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
- See NYS on PAUSE section above
- Significantly loosened the scope of practice restrictions on many health care professionals to ensure there is adequate capacity within the health care system to treat COVID-19 patients. In addition, the order conferred immunity upon health care practitioners and relaxed certain recordkeeping requirements. These provisions are in effect until April 22, 2020.
- See NYS on PAUSE section above
- The Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services shall ensure under reasonable and prudent circumstances that any licensed or regulated entities provide to any consumer in the State of New York an opportunity for a forbearance of payments for a mortgage for any person or entity facing a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Superintendent shall promulgate emergency regulations to require that the application for such forbearance be made widely available for consumers, and such application shall be granted in all reasonable and prudent circumstances solely for the period of such emergency.
- Further, the Superintendent shall be empowered to promulgate emergency regulations to direct that, solely for the period of this emergency, fees for the use of automated teller machines (ATMs), overdraft fees and credit card late fees, may be restricted or modified in accordance with the Superintendent’s regulation of licensed or regulated entities taking into account the financial impact on the New York consumer, the safety and soundness of the licensed or regulated entity, and any applicable federal requirements.
Through April 19, 2020:
- 100% reduction of workforce for nonessential companies by March 22, 2020 at 8 p.m (For Essential Business see Executive Order No. 202.6 below)
- No enforcement of commercial or residential evictions or foreclosure for 90 days; and
- Sales tax penalties and interest abated for 60 days
- Driver’s license, non-driver’s license, and registration expiration dates extended;
- The cancellation of any in-person DMV appointment at any office until further notice
- A 90-day stay on foreclosure
- Suspension of shareholder’s meetings requiring a physical location
- Deadline dates in court proceedings (i.e. statutes of limitations, motions, etc.) are hereby tolled.
- See NYS on PAUSE section above
- The provisions of Executive Order 202.6 requiring in-person work environment restrictions are modified as follows:
- Effective March 21, 2020 at 8 p.m. and until further notice
- All businesses and not-for-profit entities in the state shall utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work from home procedures that they can safely utilize.
- Each employer shall reduce the in-person workforce at any work locations by 75% no later than March 21 at 8 p.m.
- Any essential business or entity providing essential services or functions shall not be subject to the in-person restrictions.
- Temporary Closure of Barber Shops, Nail and Hair Salons and Related Personal Care Services Effective by 8 PM March 21, 2020
- See NYS on PAUSE section above
- Defines Essential Business
- See NYS on PAUSE section above
- This Executive Order posted March 18, 2020 lifts restrictions on medical providers, home care providers/agencies and medical/nursing facilities to expand capacity of the medical system to respond to COVID-19. Effective at 8 p.m. March 19, 2020, all places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors and all indoor common portions of retail shopping malls with in excess of 100,000 square feet of retail space shall close and cease access to the public. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
- This Executive Order posted on March 16, 2020 directs non-essential government workers to work from home or to take leave. It also directs the closing of all schools through April 1, 2020. School districts shall develop a plan for alternative instructional options, distribution and availability of meals, and child care, with an emphasis on serving children of parents in the health care profession or first responders who are critical to the response effort. Any village election to be held March 17, 2020 shall be postponed. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
- Executive Order posted March 16, 2020 restricts food and beverage service on premises, video lottery gaming, casino gaming, gyms, fitness centers or classes, and movie theaters shall cease operation effective at 8 pm on March 16, 2020, and until further notice. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
- Executive Order issued March 14, 2020 modifies provisions of Election Law related to Elections on or before April 1, 2020. Additionally it directs the State Education Department shall promulgate guidance for districts to ensure access to meals for students in need, critical educational supports for students and distance learning options. . It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
- NYS Executive Order issued March 12, 2020 orders the suspension of laws and regulations to allow for expansion of services and temporary facilities for health and human service providers. It also suspends laws and regulations relating to child care to allow flexibility for providers while continuing to protect the health and safety of children. Additionally, it provides for the suspension of regulations to prevent delays in providing home delivered meals and in providing services under the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) to older adults. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
Executive Order No. 202: Declaring a Disaster Emergency in the State of New York
- This Executive Order issued on March 7, 2020 is a series of directives that relax a number of regulations and laws that help State and Local government and School Districts to respond to COVID-19. It is important that you read all applicable components of the Executive Orders to have a complete understanding of the implications.
Additional Resources
- Resources Available - a variety of resources available to help you deal with the COVID-19 situation
- Child Care Providers or Parents who are Essential Workers - Please fill out a survey from the Childcare Resource Network (CCRN) at www.wnychildren.org. CCRN is the clearinghouse for childcare openings and for requests for child care openings.
- Buffalo Niagara Partnership COVID-19
- NY State Executive Orders
- Empire State Development
- OSHA Guidance
- CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC)
- NYSDOH Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19 (03/10/2020)
- "Matilda's Law" will protect New York's most vulnerable populations
- NYSDOH COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
- ECDOH COVID-19 Information: (716) 858-2929