MESSAGE FROM THE NRV HEALTH DISTRICT

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA UPDATES

Office of the Governor: Governor Ralph Northam today announced new actions to support the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution program and accelerate the pace of vaccinations across Virginia.

Governor Northam is taking the following steps to help providers increase the rate of vaccinations as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible:

1. Vaccination goal. Governor Northam set an initial goal of vaccinating 25,000 Virginians each day when supply allows.
2. ‘Use it or lose it’ model. Medical facilities will be required to put the vaccine they receive into arms as soon as possible, or risk having future vaccine allotments reduced.
3. Danny T.K. Avula to lead vaccination efforts in Virginia. Governor Northam appointed Dr. Avula, who serves as director of the Richmond City and Henrico County Health Departments to coordinate work between state officials, local health departments, hospitals, and private providers.
4. Expanded priority groups. Governor Northam announced that K-12 teachers and child care workers will be among the next priority groups to receive vaccinations after Group A, and outlined the populations that will be included in Groups B and C.
5. Elevating the Virginia National Guard. As the Commonwealth receives more doses, the Virginia National Guard will provide logistical support and help local health departments will administering vaccines

To learn more click here.

FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will help the United States combat and defeat COVID-19 by giving all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members. The legislation will ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus while at the same time reimbursing businesses. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS

Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Explained: A webinar presented by the Virginia SBDC, Virginia Community Capital, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on the Payroll Protection Program loan forgiveness process and criteria. To view the webinar click here.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program: Virginia received a statewide Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Small businesses and non-profit organizations located throughout the state can now apply for a loan of up to $2 million from the SBA to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses.

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 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.

Paycheck Protection Program: is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll by providing each small business a loan up to $10 million for payroll and certain other expenses.

If all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks, SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Up to 100 percent of the loan is forgivable.

Coronavirus Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist for Small Businesses and Nonprofits: The CARES Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses and nonprofits keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. The administration soon will release more details including the list of lenders offering loans under the program. In the meantime, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued this guide to help organizations understand what to expect and prepare to file for a loan.

GRANTS

New River Valley Small Business Grant – New River Valley- Small businesses in the New River Valley have access to up to $15,000 for small business grants to combat the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic. The Counties of Floyd, Giles, Pulaski, and Montgomery have jointly established a regional $1.6 million grant fund, known as the New River Valley Small Business Resiliency Grant to support the region’s small business recovery and resiliency efforts following the COVID19 outbreak. Funds for these grants have been provided by Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development as part of a Community Development Block Grant award to assist localities mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the regional economy. Due to this funding source, they are unable to offer grants to businesses based in the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, as well as the City of Radford. To learn more click here

Rebuild VA Grant Fund – The Rebuild VA Grant Fund is a program to help small businesses and nonprofits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19. Businesses and non-profits that are approved for a Rebuild VA grant may receive up to 3 times their average monthly eligible expenses up to a maximum of $10,000. To learn more click here.

COVID -19 VACCINATION INFORMATION/PREREGISTRATION

On Monday, January 11, the New River Health District begins to provide COVID-19 vaccines — by pre-registration and appointment only — to residents included in “Phase 1b.” The initial focus will be K-12 teachers and childcare providers. As a result, individual appointments may not be available until the week of January 18.

Below is an inclusive list of all who may qualify:

1. Persons age 75 and older
2. Police, fire, and hazmat response
3. Correctional facilities and homeless shelters
4. Childcare/K-12 teachers and staff
5. Food & Agriculture
6. Manufacturing
7. Grocery store workers
8. Public transit workers
9. Mail carriers (USPS and private)

To learn more and to pre-register please click here.

Please note: Preregistering DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN APPOINTMENT OR A VACCINATION. As vaccines are available, VDH will contact pre-registered individuals to schedule an appointment at a local health department, pharmacy or other healthcare provide

MANUFACTURING

Virginia Department of Emergency Management: The Virginia Department of Emergency Management(VDEM) is reaching out to the private sector businesses to see what products and/or services could be provided to the State to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

VDEM is asking for assistance with sourcing products to include surgical masks (face masks), N95 respirators, Tyvek protective suits or equivalent coverall, disposable medical gowns, latex gloves, ventilators, non-splash goggles and face shields, and COVID-19 test strips/test kits and components. They are also sourcing equipment, services, and specialized teams such as those with spiritual care and medical expertise.

If you have Offers of Assistance (donations, in-kind, discounted, contract), please provide them via https://arcg.is/1amrze.

If you would like to do business with Virginia for the COVID-19 response and are not registered as a vendor, please register here: https://lnkd.in/ektGErd.

EMPLOYEE RESOURCES

Employee Paid Leave Rights (FFCRA): The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.

Virginia Career Works: Resources for workers whose job has been impacted due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Employees 1st: Offers an employee assistance program (EAP) designed to help companies help employees facing financial difficulties immediately after a disaster or personal hardship.

Virginia Employment Commission: If you are a worker who has been totally/partially separated from your job due to Covid-19, the VEC will allow you to file a claim for unemployment insurance.  You can also call 1-866-832-2363, Monday-Friday 8:30 AM -5:00 PM.

PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Virginia Department of Health: The VDH is responding to the outbreak of respiratory illness, called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), that is caused by a novel (new) coronavirus.

New River Health District: The local health district in the NRV has set up an online resource with information about COVID-19 – www.nrvroadtowellness.com/covid19.

World Health Organization: Here you will find the latest situation updates and data regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.

TELEWORKING

TeleworkVA: Provides tips for employees and managers, resources , and free hotline that can help those newly working from home.

HELPFUL TOOLS