IMPORTANT RESOURCES AND GUIDELINES FOR CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The health and safety of our community is our utmost concern. Due to the rapid changes and developments of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are taking the necessary precautions to keep our community and members safe. Information and resources are changing rapidly. We will continue to provide updates and resources for our businesses and community.
New round of funding available for business on November 19
Grants will be reviewed on a first-come first-served basis, and will be allocated so that there is an equitable geographic distribution of funds as directed by the Oregon Legislature.
State Wide Freeze November 18- December 2
https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_20-65.pdf
Governor Brown announced a statewide Freeze starting on November 18. Please know that your local Chamber of Commerce is here for you.
To follow guidelines, we will be closing the Visitor Center to the public starting on November 18. We will still be available to assist all businesses and address any concerns or questions. Please call us at 541-476-7717 or you can reach me directly at 541-956-4100. All of our meetings and programs will all be held virtually. As we receive more information, we will continue to update you!
The Two-Week Freeze measures will be in effect from Nov. 18 through Dec. 2, statewide. These risk reduction measures are critical in limiting the spread of COVID-19, reducing risk in communities more vulnerable to serious illness and death, and helping conserve hospital capacity so that all Oregonians can continue to have access to quality care.
The Two-Week Freeze measures include:
- Limiting social get-togethers (indoors and outdoors) to no more than six people, total, from no more than two households.
- Limiting churches and other faith-based venues to a maximum of 25 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.
- Limiting restaurants to take-out only. (This applies to wineries, tasting rooms, etc.)
- Closing gyms and fitness organizations.
- Closing indoor recreational facilities, museums, indoor entertainment activities, and indoor pools and sports courts.
- Closing outdoor recreational facilities, zoos, gardens, aquariums, outdoor entertainment activities, and outdoor pools.
- Limiting grocery stores and pharmacies to a maximum of 75% capacity and encouraging curbside pick up.
- Limiting retail stores and retail malls (indoor and outdoor) to a maximum of 75% capacity and encouraging curbside pick up.
- Closing venues (that host or facilitate indoor or outdoor events).
- Requiring all businesses to mandate work-from-home to the greatest extent possible and closing offices to the public.
- Prohibiting indoor visiting in long-term care facilities.
The Two-Week Freeze does not apply to or change current health and safety protocols for personal services (such as barber shops, hair salons, and non-medical massage therapy), congregate homeless sheltering, outdoor recreation and sports, youth programs, childcare, K-12 schools, K-12 sports currently allowed to operate, current Division 1 and professional athletics exemptions, and higher education — all of which can continue operating under previous guidance issued by the Oregon Health Authority.
The Governor also announced this morning a travel advisory, recommending self-quarantine of two weeks after any recreational travel out-of-state.
NEW MASK Mandate
•Masks in offices now required as of August 13.
Press Release: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2288K.pdf
Effective Wednesday, July 15th:
•Oregon's face covering requirement will be expanded to apply to outdoor public spaces when six feet of distance cannot be maintained.
•Indoor social get-togethers of more than 10 people will be prohibited. The gathering limit applies only to indoor social get-togethers. This new rule does not change the operation of businesses or churches at this time.
•Press Release: https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=36940
Governor's Office COVID Site
https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19
Reopening Guidelines
As part of the opening process, sector guidelines have been created giving business owners guidance to keep our community safe. Please find the outlines for each sector below.
Sector Guidance Outlines
General Guidance for Employers
RETAIL
OUTDOOR RECREATION
RESTAURANTS/BARS/BREWERIES/TASTING ROOMS/DISTILLERIES
PERSONAL SERVICES
HERE IS THE WEBSITE WITH MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS:
https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19./
Chamber of Commerce Updated Hours
The Visitor Center is open Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. We are also available by phone, or email.
Greeters and all other meetings are held virtually. Please check out our calendar for a full listing!
Local Grants Available
Business Oregon Matching Grant available through the City of Grants Pass https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/1383/Business-Oregon-Matching-Grant
Josephine County Business Grant Opportunity http://www.co.josephine.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=2267
$500 Emergency Relief Program https://emergencychecks.oregon.gov/
Cultural Trust COVID Relief Funding https://development.oregon4biz.com/acton/media/14786/2020-crf-cultural-support
Help for small businesses
GUIDE TO THE MAIN STREET LENDING PROGRAM
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) https://www.uschamber.com/report/guide-sbas-economic-injury-disaster-loans
Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/1818/CMS/PDF_Documents/2020/Enews_Links/2020-06-15---PPP-Forgiveness.pdf
Employee Retention Tax Credit https://www.uschamber.com/report/guide-the-employee-retention-tax-credit
Resource Center
Small Business Development Center is here to help businesses. Their advisors are available to assist you. Please contact them at (541) 956-7494 and leave them a message, or e-mail them at sbdc@roguecc.edu.
Small Business Resource Navigator
Business Oregon, alongside the Oregon Employment Department, the Oregon Secretary of State, and the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services compiled the below information to assist Oregon small businesses dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.
https://www.oregon4biz.com/Coronavirus-Information/
Governors Executive Orders
Oregon School Closure through April 28
https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_20-08.pdf
Prohibiting On-Premises Consumption of Food or Drink and Gatherings of More Than 25 People
https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_20-07.pdf
Declaration of Abnormal Disruption of the Market due to COVID-19 Declaration of Abnormal
Disruption of the Market due to COVID-19
https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_20-06.pdf
Prohibiting Large Gatherings Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_20-05.pdf
Declaration of Emergency Due to Coronavirus
https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_20-03.pdf
Business Resources
Business Oregon. Guidance to businesses regarding business
continuity around COVID 19:
https://www.oregon4biz.com/Coronavirus-Information/
US Chamber Employer Resources
https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus
State of Oregon Employment Department Guidelines
https://www.oregon.gov/employ/Documents/
OAR%20471-030-0070-temporaryrule.pdf
A FAQ from the employment insurance division on when/what kind
of assistance employees should expect in terms of unemployment insurance.
SBDC Business Adversity Response Plan
Health Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention SEE BELOW
Asante
https://Asante.org
Community Updates
Emergency Child care offered by YMCA
http://www.grantspassymca.org/uncategorized/emergency-child-care-plan/
Community calendar including canceled events
https://www.grantspasschamber.org/events
If you are canceling an event please send updates to Linda at
lbradley@grantspasschamber.org
Finding Childcare
http://www.soesd.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Child-Care-Guidance-for-Southern-Oregon-June-2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0NWXS50Od4G7_Fv_sok6GKR1pLsUMsr_lZNzNe-4OEmfpiyw_246tLDCU
