COVID-19 Resources
RESOURCES FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Licking County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping our members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are resources available to businesses:
Reopening – A Playbook for Your Business
COVID-19 has impacted every business differently. Every business will face changes and possibly challenges as our nation begins to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for this Playbook Guide offered by The U.S. Chamber and Facebook. In it you will read best practices from reliable sources, communication strategies, overcoming obstacles and ideas on making adjustments on your road to recovery.
A Checklist to Reopen Your Business
The Licking County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) and the Licking County Health Department (LCHD) want businesses in Licking County to be successful as they begin reopening in accordance with the Stay Safe Ohio order. All sections of our society – including businesses and employers – must play a role if we are to limit the spread of Coronavirus. LCCC and LCHD are providing resources and information to local business to ensure their confidence and support their recovery-mode process. We recommend these practices in order to keep our community safe and healthy. Please turn to LCCC and LCHD for reliable, local information for a safe reopening.
Responsible RestartOhio
Governor DeWine announced the Responsible RestartOhio plan which aims to protect the health of employees and customers while supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, and responsibly getting back to work. A summary of the plan and reopening schedule can be found here.
- May 1, 2020: Medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.
- May 4, 2020: Manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. Additionally, general office environments may reopen if they can also meet mandatory safety requirements.
- May 12, 2020: Consumer, retail and services, may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees.
- May 15, 2020: Personal services, such as hair salons, barbershops, day spa, nail salons and tanning facilities may reopen, as well as outdoor dining at restaurants and bars
- May 21, 2020: Dine-in services may resume at restaurants and bars
All businesses must follow general safe business practices as they reopen. Those include requiring face coverings for all employees, and recommending them for clients and customers at all times; conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees; maintaining good hygiene and social distancing; cleaning and sanitizing workplaces; and limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines.
Schools and daycares, dine-in restaurants, beauty businesses, older adult daycare and senior centers, adult day support or vocational rehabilitation services in group settings, entertainment, recreation, and gyms are all ordered to remain closed due to their increased risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Because the danger of COVID-19 still exists, Ohio’s Stay at Home order will remain in effect to encourage Ohioans to continue making reasonable, rational decisions about leaving home. Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.
More detailed information on the Responsible RestartOhio plan can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.
Local Resources during COVID-19
There are many Licking County Chamber of Commerce members that have products and/or services that may help your business during this uncertain time, especially with safety needs.
- Action Supply Products: Star Wipers in Newark is making cloth face covers that meet CDC guidelines
Contact for Chamber pricing $1.90 ea.:
Bill Martini, Sales Representative
Cell: 614-406-6509 - Delta Apparel: Manufactures non-medical face masks – one size fits all adults in the color black
Contact for Chamber pricing and quantity:
Mike Jurden, VP of Business Development
Cell: 740-334-9419 - State Industrial Products: Commercial cleaning products, including disinfectants and sanitizing products
Contact for Chamber pricing and quantity:
Dan Orr, Licking County Sales Rep.
740-704-6814
dorr@statechemical.com - Property Rescue: Disinfection services for sites after positive COVID-19 diagnosis to sanitize building
Contact for details:
Greg Carr, CEO
740-345-1911
New Federal Unemployment Program
Starting on Friday, April 24, Ohioans who are unemployed as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but who don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits can begin pre-registering for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), a new federal program that covers many more categories of workers, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced today.
To pre-register for PUA benefits, Ohioans should visit unemployment.ohio.gov and click on “Get Started Now.” The benefit amount will be similar to traditional unemployment benefits, plus an additional $600 per week through July 25. The pre-registration tool will allow individuals to get in line early and pre-register their account, so that as soon as the agency has the technical ability to process their claims in May, they can log in and complete their paperwork.
For those eligible, PUA benefits will be retroactive to the date they qualified, as early as February 2. The program will provide up to 39 weeks of benefits to many who historically have not qualified for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed workers, 1099 tax filers, part-time workers, and those who lack sufficient work history. Individuals who have exhausted all regular unemployment and any weekly extensions also may be eligible for the program. Anyone with questions should call (833) 604-0774.
Licking County Job & Family COVID-19 Emergency Services
Residents may be eligible for PRC services if they have a a family with a minor child(ren) in the household and meet certain income guidelines. Those who have experienced unexpected household expenses related to the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis and meet family composition and income standards (at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline), may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency PRC. Priority will be given to expenses related to preparing for or involvement in self-quarantine and social distancing. Other services include assistance with rent, housing deposits, utilities, mortgage, car payments, and car insurance. Program details are outlined here. And the application to apply for aid is located here.
Director’s Stay at Home Order
Click the link above to read the Ohio Department of Health Stay at Home Order and listing of essential services. Stay at Home FAQ’s
Licking County Covid-19 Relief Fund
United Way of Licking County, the Licking County Foundation and community partners have formed the Licking County COVID-19 Relief Fund. The mission of the Fund is to help meet the needs in Licking County that are directly related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Grants will be given to local organizations to help residents with their basic needs.
Organizations who are meeting these needs and would like to apply for relief grants should click here.
There are three ways to donate: Text ‘Virus19’ to 414-44, go online to www.unitedwaylc.org/covid or mail a check to United Way of Licking County PO Box 4490 Newark, OH 43058-4490. Please put COVID-19 in the memo line. Contact Deb Dingus at ddingus@unitedwaylc.org with questions.
Enhanced Unemployment Aid for Ohioans
Executive Order 2020-03D broadens state policy to clarify that individuals who are quarantined during the emergency period are considered to be unemployed. This also applies to companies that determine they need to temporarily shut down.
To apply for benefits, visit the link above anytime day or night, or call 1-877-644-6562 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Health Insurance Coverage Flexibility for Ohio Employees
Maintains health insurance coverage for workers who have had their work hours reduced if the employee is currently eligible for coverage through their employer sponsored health insurance. Payment of premiums may be deferred interest free for up to 60 calendar days.
SharedWork Ohio Program
SharedWork Ohio is a voluntary layoff aversion program. It allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity.
Other business and community resources:
211 Crisis Hotline & Information Center
Food Pantry Network of Licking County
Ohio Department of Health
Legal FAQs for Employers
TechCred Program
Tax Payment Deadline Extension
Ohio Department of Health Employee Screening Guidelines
CDC Recommended Strategies
Licking County Business Health & Safety Signage for Patrons
Licking County Business Health & Safety Signage for Employees
Licking County Food Service Operators – Restaurant Reopening Guidance
Licking County Business Health Policy Agreement for Employees
How to Clean & Disinfect Businesses (CDC)
P.O. BOX 702
50 W. LOCUST STREET
NEWARK, OH 43058
PHONE 740.345.9757
© 2023 Licking County Chamber of Commerce
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