- NYS COVID-19 Response and Vaccine Information
- NYS Excelsior Pass is Now Live
- This free and voluntary app utilizes secure technology to confirm an individual’s vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test and could be a critical tool in our sector’s reopening. Developed with IBM, the Excelsior Pass is the first app of its kind in the U.S.
- Download the pass HERE.
- Learn more about the Excelsior Pass HERE.
- Summary of Reopening Timeline
- Beginning March 26th: Indoor Family Entertainment Centers can open limited to 25% capacity. Please see detailed guidelines HERE. The Governor’s announcement contains some key points:
- Contact information must be collected from each party to inform contact tracing, if needed;
- High-touch areas, attractions, and rides must be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day;
- Attractions must close if they cannot ensure distancing and be frequently cleaned/disinfected;
- Sufficient staff must be deployed to enforce compliance with rules, including capacity, distancing and face coverings;
- Tickets should be sold in advance, and entry/exit and waiting times should be staggered to avoid congestion;
- Indoor areas must meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards; and
- Retail, food services and recreational activities must abide by all State-issued guidance.
- Beginning April 1st:
- Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20% capacity.
- Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening.
- Sports venues that hold 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 people outdoors can reopen
- Capacity will be limited to 10% indoors and 20% outdoors.
- Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening.
- Outdoor performing arts venues, including stadiums, that hold more than 2,500 people can reopen at 20% capacity
- Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening.
- Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20% capacity.
- Beginning April 2nd: Event, Arts and Entertainment Venues Can Reopen, though detailed guidelines have not yet been issued.
- Restricted to 33% capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors
- With proof of a negative COVID test prior to entry, capacity can increase up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors
- Beginning April 5th: 11PM Curfew Lifted for Casinos, Movie Theaters, Bowling Alleys, Billiard Halls, Gyms and Fitness Centers
- Beginning April 9th: Outdoor Amusement Parks Can Open at 33% capacity though guidelines have not yet been issued
- Beginning March 26th: Indoor Family Entertainment Centers can open limited to 25% capacity. Please see detailed guidelines HERE. The Governor’s announcement contains some key points:
- Governor Cuomo Announces Collegiate Sports Can Bring Fans Back to the Stands Beginning April 2
- Large-Scale College Sports Venues Can Host Spectators at 10 Percent Indoor or 20 Percent Outdoor Capacity
- Recent Negative Test or Immunization Required for Attendees
- Small-Scale College Sports Venues Can Host Spectators at 2 Per Player, or Social Gathering Limit of 100 People Indoors or 200 People Outdoors; With Recent Negative Test or Immunization, Increases to 150 People Indoors or 500 People Outdoors
- NYS Excelsior Pass is Now Live
Business Resources
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- SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.
- SBA Launches Portal to Begin Accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications on April 8
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8, 2021.
- SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
- Additional Announcements from Governor Cuomo
- Governor Cuomo Announces Three Major Port Authority Initiatives to Re-energize New York Stewart International Airport as Air Passenger Volumes Increase
- Port Authority Unveils Incentive Program to Attract Carriers to New York Stewart
- Debuts New Logo and Announces New Marketing Campaign to Restore Pre-COVID-19 Connectivity and Grow Domestic and International Air Service
- Initiatives Come as Region Prepares for Return of Tourism to and from the Mid-Hudson Region
- SWF Completes Construction of New, Modern U.S. Customs and Border Protection Inspection Station to Accommodate Additional International Travelers
- American Airlines Extends Service from New York Stewart to Philadelphia and Allegiant Adds Two New Routes to Savannah, GA and Destin, FL
- Governor Cuomo Announces Three Major Port Authority Initiatives to Re-energize New York Stewart International Airport as Air Passenger Volumes Increase
Key COVID-19 Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- The CDC has published safety guidance for communities, workplaces, schools, and events here.
- New York State
- NYS Official COVID-19 Website: www.ny.gov/coronavirus
- Novel Coronavirus Hotline (available 24/7): 1-888-364-3065
- Mental Health Hotline: 1-844-863-9314
- Download New York’s COVID-19 Exposure Notification App Here
- NYS Vaccine Program: www.ny.gov/vaccine
- Mid-Hudson COVID-19 Vaccine Directory
- COVID-19 Travel Advisory
- Sign up for Daily Updates on the evolving COVID-19 situation from New York State
- Empire State Development
- NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets COVID-19 Guidance
- NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation COVID-19 Page
- NYS Homes and Community Renewal COVID-19 Page
- NYS Office of the New York State Comptroller COVID-19 Updates and Resources
- Reopening Guidance
- New York Forward: Guidance on the Reopening of New York State
- New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool
- New York State Liquor Authority
- Funding Opportunities
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Guidance and Resources
- Summary of Federal Resources – includes funding options, tax credits and tax filing help, contracting assistance and more
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
- Shuttered Venue Operators Grant – Will begin accepting applications on April 8
- NY Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) provides flexible and affordable loans to help small businesses, not-for-profits, and small residential landlords.
- New York State Small Business Development Center List of pandemic-relief micro-grant and micro-loan programs
- FUZEHUB Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund Manufacturing Grants – Due 4:00PM on March 31st, 2021
- New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP) Announces Nearly $1 Million in COVID Recovery Project Funding for Manufacturers
- Central Hudson’s Back to Business funding program has committed up to $1 million in economic development support to provide local small businesses with grants to help pay down new working capital loans taken with participating local banks.
- ESD COVID-19 Business Resources
- NYS Council on the Arts (NYSCA) COVID-19 Relief Funds and Business Support
- Pursuit Lending COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
- Community Capital of New York COVID-19 Resource Page: Community Capital New York is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
- GoFundMe Small Business Relief Initiative
- Kiva Lending
- Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program – deadlines are May 7, Sep 10, and Nov 8
- Community Development Block Grant Applications for Economic Development, Small Business & Microenterprise accepted throughout 2021 with rolling awards. Learn more HERE.
- New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) ReCharge NY Program
- NYSERDA
- Federal Grants
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Guidance and Resources
- Technical Assistance for Businesses
- New York State Small Business Development Center
- Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center: Serving Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster Counties
- Rockland Small Business Development Center: Serving Putnam, Rockland, Westchester Counties
- Women’s Enterprise Development Center COVID-19 resources
- New York State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP) Assists Small And Mid-Sized Manufacturers In Becoming More Competitive
- COVID-19 Business Mentor NY Volunteer Task Force: New York State has partnered with business leaders to create a dedicated group of volunteers across different NYS industries – from law firms to financial professionals – to assist business owners with questions related to the impact of COVID-19.
- Empire State Digital: Connects New York-based small businesses with the education, access and resources needed to digitize, expand and adapt to the new economy due to the changes from COVID-19.
- New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership: The initiative provides commercial tenants and small business landlords with pro bono legal services, and the information needed to reach a mutually agreeable lease renegotiation.
- SBA’s Ascent: Free learning platform for women entrepreneurs
- Fuzehub: Resources for NYS Manufacturers
- Business Express: Your Guide to Doing Business in New York State
- New York State Small Business Development Center
- Resources for Employers/Employees
- NY State of Health: Shop here to see what health insurance options are available to you, your family, and your business
- Child Care: Parents in need of free child care resources and referrals are encouraged to visit www.HVChildCare.org, where they can enter their zip code to immediately find the name and contact information of the agency that serves their location.
- U.S. Department of Labor Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave Tool
- NYS DOL FAQ for Employers with COVID-19 related Questions
- New York State Jobs Express: Employers with job openings can post their open positions, and individuals looking for employment can search for opportunities on the NYS Department of Labor’s Jobs Express website.
- NYS Office of General Services: Guidance on Doing Business with New York State
- Thomas COVID-19 Response Supplier program: If You Can Help Supply Critical PPE Products, Sign Up Here.
- NYS DOL Shared Work Program: New York State’s DOL Shared Work Program helps businesses manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments. Shared Work lets businesses keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.
- Resources for Individuals
- Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund – Up to $1,000 available per household designed to reimburse out-of-pocket childcare, transportation, lodging and other qualifying expenses for first responders, health care, and other essential workers.
- New Tool to Help New Yorkers Access Critical Social Service Benefits Here
- For Job Seekers:
- NYS Department of Labor’s Jobs Express website
- SUNY Online Training Center – free skill-building, college prep, and employment certification programs with one-on-one career coaching
- Free Online Platform for New Yorkers to Learn New Job Skills, Earn Certificates & Advance Their Careers: Create a free account with Coursera Here
- COVID-19 Enforcement Resources
- File a complaint against a business or concerning a non-essential gathering
- FAQ for Code Enforcement Personnel
- NYS PAUSE Enforcement Assistant Task Force Guidance
Update provided by Empire State Development Mid-Hudson Team 3.3021