More and more states and localities respond to the COVID 19 pandemic by restricting which businesses are able to operate.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued guidance on identification of essential critical infrastructure workers during covid-19 response.  Click here to see the full Document

The CISA breaks out workers by industry sector. In other words the designation may depend on the industry sector.

This document is being widely used by states and localities to define “Essential Workers”

In Summary – Security, Fire, Medical alarms are designated as essential. Communications – phone, data and video are designated as essential. Repairs to automation systems that impact security or HVAC would also be essential.

EMPLOYEE LETTERS 

if you are operating in an area that has imposed a stay at home order consider providing your employees with a letter. You may also want to give them a copy of the CISA Guidelines.

The Monitoring Association (TMA) Sample Letters: Any company using these samples must edit them for their own use and must perform their own internal review/due diligence after their edits and customization.

• Sample TBFAA Letter
• Sample CISA Letter for Company Employees of NRTL-listed Monitoring Centers
• Sample CISA Letter for Company Employees of Non-listed Monitoring Centers
• Sample CISA Letter for Company Employees of Installing Companies
• DHS CISA Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

For a list of state orders visit The Council of States Government COVID-19 State Orders

The Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a number of loan resources for small businesses to utilize when operating their business. For more information on loans or how to connect with a lender, visit: SBA COVID-19 Web Site

Also check the Regional office for more info – https://www.sba.gov/offices/regional/vi

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to apply. Deadline to apply is December 21, 2020

Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster.

The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. 

SBA Express Bridge Loans

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.

This Program originally expired on March 30, 2020. bit has been extended to March 13, 2021 See SBA Notice
Effective March 25, 2020, (announcement by publication of a notice in the Federal Register will follow), SBA expanded program eligibility to include small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration issued by President Trump on March 13, 2020 (“COVID-19 Emergency Declaration”). Because the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration covers all states, territories, and the District of Columbia, eligible small businesses under the EBL Pilot Program include small businesses located in any state, territory and the District of Columbia that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. The notice also stated that all references to disasters in the EBL Pilot Program requirements will include the COVID-19 emergency. In the same notice, SBA extended the term of the EBL Pilot Program through March 13, 2021.

Terms

• Up to $25,000
• Fast turnaround
• Will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan

Find an Express Bridge Loan Lender via SBA’s Lender Match Tool or by connecting with your local SBA District Office.

Company owner’s rights and the employee’s rights

• • Webinar video from Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum about the company owner’s rights and the employee’s right and things to consider.
• Department of Labor Info – Click for NESA Article
  Employee Rights: Poster Now Available – The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

• 4 Tips for Creating a Coronavirus Safety Checklist From a Legal Expert

Suggestions From a TBFAA Webinar

Questions we ask before scheduling…

From Adam’s iPhone to Everyone:
1. Do you feel uncomfortable with our technicians coming on-site at your  location?
2. In the past 14 days, have you traveled from California, Washington State,  Massachusetts, or New York?
3. In the past 14 days, have you traveled from Mainland China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea?
4. In the past 14 days, have you been on a cruise or a crew ship?
5. Have you been in close contact with anyone, including members of your  immediate family, who have traveled to/from one of these domestic  locations, countries, or have been on a cruise or a crew ship?
6. In the past 14 days have you or anyone you know, had a fever, a cough,  shortness of breath, or any flu-like symptoms?

Our Protocol

From Colton to Everyone:

• Protocol here is for hand sanitizer/water and soap on all vehicles with Lysol spray or wipes.
• Also we wear gloves and face mask. We screen each call to verify that the home or business is verifying that we can come in.
• Amarillo is at full operation since there is only shutdown on Restaurants, limited to drive up only.
• Other business’ are shut down at their own discretion.
• All office personnel are screened for temperature and required to wash hand when reporting for work.

• Interim guidance for business and employers from CDC
  • Includes recommended strategies for employers to reduce the virus’ spread.

• CDC General Info
  • www.coronavirus.gov — A comprehensive CDC website about COVID-19.
  • Details about the virus and its global spread, and resources for communities, health departments, schools and more.
  • CDC Common Virus Symptoms
  • CDC Cleaning & Disinfecting Recommendations
• OSHA Guidance: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/index.html
  • Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
  • Existing OSHA standards
• The Council of States Government COVID-19 State Orders
• NFPA Site 
• NFPA Preparedness Checklist 
• The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
• DHS Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
• Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States
• CDC – Situation Summary
• Strategic Planning and Preparedness – World Health Organization
• U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (General Overview)
  • OSHA Standards
• Business Continuity Planning Checklist- Response and Recovery for Public Health Issues
  • Checklist from Consolidated Insurance