4/23/2020 - Updated Guidance for Businesses from Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Beginning 4/27/2020, regulations for businesses have been updated to allow our Vermont economy to continue to reopen in a safe manner. For all businesses, including essential businesses that have been open throughout the Stay at Home order, these regulations are in effect as of Monday, 4/27/2020.
(Please note red text indicates updated regulations. Mandatory training will be available on VOSHA website)
MANDATORY HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS
All businesses must follow Vermont Department of Health and CDC guidelines:
(Please note red text indicates updated regulations. Mandatory training will be available on VOSHA website)
MANDATORY HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS
All businesses must follow Vermont Department of Health and CDC guidelines:
- Employees shall not report to, or be allowed to remain at, work or job site if sick or symptomatic (with fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath).
- All employees must observe strict social distancing of 6 feet while on the job, unless noted, and should refrain from touching their faces.
- No congregation of employees is allowed. All common areas, such as break rooms and cafeterias, but excluding restrooms, are closed.
- Employees must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” is acceptable in lieu of a mask.
- Employees must have easy and frequent access to soap and water or hand sanitizer during duration of work, and handwashing or hand sanitization should be required before entering, and leaving, job sites.
- All common spaces and equipment, including bathrooms, frequently touched surfaces and doors, tools and equipment, and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected at the beginning, middle and end of each shift and prior to transfer from one person to another.
- To the extent feasible, prior to the commencement of each work shift, pre-screening or survey shall be required to verify each employee has no symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath), including temperature checks.
- Signs must be posted at all entrances clearly indicating that no one may enter if they have symptoms of respiratory illness.
- When working inside, open doors and windows to promote air flow to the greatest extent possible and limit the number of people occupying a single indoor space.
- No more than 2 people shall occupy one vehicle when conducting work.
- No symptomatic or COVID-19 positive workers are allowed on site and any worker(s) who have contact with a worker or any other person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days.
- All business operations must have a designated health and safety officer on-site who monitors and has the authority to stop or modify activities to ensure compliance with these mandatory health and safety requirements.
- All business, non-profit and government operations must use remote work whenever possible.
- All employees, including those already working (except healthcare workers, first responders, and others already trained in infection control, personal protection/universal precautions), must complete, and employers must document, a training on mandatory health and safety requirements as provided by VOSHA, or another training program that meets or exceeds the VOSHA-provided standard by May 4, 2020.
4/17/2020- Update Guidance for Businesses from Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Understanding the need to restart the economy as soon as possible and improve our overall social wellbeing, we cannot allow for a resurgence of COVID-19 that would undermine or lose the important public health outcomes achieved to date. Our work to transition Vermont out from under the Stay Home order swiftly and responsibly will take just as much effort and goodwill as we have all expended in recent weeks.
As we move forward, businesses and employees must understand that how they work is essential to resuming and maintaining business operations.
As we move forward, businesses and employees must understand that how they work is essential to resuming and maintaining business operations.
3/25/2020 Stay At Home Order -
Is my business supposed to close or change operations?
Governor Phil Scott has issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order. Effective March 25, 2020 at 5:00 pm, all businesses and not-for-profit entities not expressly exempted in the order must suspend all in-person business operations. Operations that can be conducted online or by phone, or sales that can be facilitated with curbside pickup or delivery only, can continue. The Stay Home, Stay Safe order will be in effect until April 15, 2020, though may be extended or shortened as needed. (This order was extended to May 15th 2020)
If you have questions about whether your business meet the definition of “critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security” as per Governor Scott's Executive Order, please review the Vermont Agency for Commerce and Community Development's Stay Home, Stay Safe FAQs for Businesses.
Commercial entities, non-profits, employers and others with questions about acceptable continuation of business operations should complete this online form: https://bit.ly/covid-vt-business-operations.
If you have questions about whether your business meet the definition of “critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security” as per Governor Scott's Executive Order, please review the Vermont Agency for Commerce and Community Development's Stay Home, Stay Safe FAQs for Businesses.
Commercial entities, non-profits, employers and others with questions about acceptable continuation of business operations should complete this online form: https://bit.ly/covid-vt-business-operations.
Unemployment Insurance Resources
Unemployment insurance has been expanded and the application process simplified during the current declared state of emergency. If you business or employment is affected by the current crisis and you need unemployment benefits, you can use the link below to apply online.
Vermont Unemployment Insurance Application
Vermont Unemployment Insurance Application
Small Business Loans
The Small Business Administration has approved Governor Scott’s request for a disaster declaration. Disaster assistance is available to businesses and non-profit organizations in all Vermont counties.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) offer up to $2 million in assistance per business, providing economic support to overcome temporary loss of revenue. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private non-profit organizations, which are also eligible for EIDLs.
To apply for a Economic Injury Disaster Loan for your small business, click on the link below.
EIDL Application
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) offer up to $2 million in assistance per business, providing economic support to overcome temporary loss of revenue. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private non-profit organizations, which are also eligible for EIDLs.
To apply for a Economic Injury Disaster Loan for your small business, click on the link below.
EIDL Application
Business Impact Statements
The State of Vermont is interested in hearing from all Vermont businesses impacted by the response to the COVID-19 virus. Please continue to share these impacts via the Agency Business Impact Form, which will help them assess the full impact as they work toward solutions.
If you have other inquiries, please contact them through their dedicated email address: [email protected]
If you have other inquiries, please contact them through their dedicated email address: [email protected]
Small Business Guide to the CARES Act
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA. Click here to access the guide.