Dutchess Business Notification Network Update for Thursday, April 16, 2020

Below are updates and resources for businesses, employers, and employees. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you believe would benefit from this information.

IMPORTANT: Urgent Need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Sanitizing Supplies

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Update for Thursday, April 16, 2020:

• The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce has created a list of LOCAL PPE suppliers. If you are a local supplier and would like to be added to the list, please email contact@DutchessBNN.com. All employees still interacting with the public, regardless of social distancing, are required to have some kind of face covering under an Executive Order that was announced on April 12 and went into effect yesterday. To view the local supplier list, click HERE.
• In today's (Thursday) press conference, The governor announced that his New York on PAUSE efforts would be extended until May 15. This will effect businesses deemed non-essential and schools.
• Governor Cuomo also expanded on his proposal to do a phased in reopening of the economy. The phased in reopening will not just be what businesses reopen, but what percentage of their workforce will be allowed to return. It would act in reverse of the 25%, 50%, and 75% reduction plan.
• In the same press conference, Governor Cuomo said businesses will have to show how they can socially distance their workers and customers, and have a plan in place on what happens if an employee develops COVID-19 symptoms.
• Yesterday, Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order that requires all individuals, not just employees, in public spaces who cannot maintain social distancing to wear a nose/mouth covering. Anyone over 2 years of age, unless it is medically impossible to do so, falls under this order. This order will go into effect tomorrow night at 8PM, and it can be read in full HERE.
• It was announced today that the fund the SBA was using to pay for the Paycheck Protection Program has been exhausted so no more funds are available for businesses. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan application portal has also been shut down due to limited funding, but those who have applied already are still being processed. This is not to mean that you are guaranteed funding if you have applied, but you are currently being processed and funds will be given on a first come-first serve basis. As more information is made available we will update you.
• Scam and fraud schemes have been uncovered of people posing as the SBA to get a business' confidential financial information. A guide has been put out by the SBA to help individuals identify scam or fraud attempts. It can be found HERE.
• Celebrate National High Five Day today and give a "Dutchess Air Five". Dutchess Tourism is encouraging all of Dutchess County to show appreciation for our local service industry, with support in the following ways: Purchase gift cards (online or over-the-phone) for later use; Shop online stores or participate in virtual experiences; Share 5-star love with favorite businesses by posting stellar reviews on Trip Advisor, Yelp, Google and on their own sites. Businesses: Promote the initiative on your social platforms using the provided graphic in the link. Help make this initiative go viral locally. For more information, click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

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