Editor’s Note: we are republishing this important summary bulletin about best practices and available information for local businesses we just received from the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership. We will be updating from time to time as we receive more information!
Guidance for Responding to new Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As an advocate for the Flatiron community and beyond, the Flatiron Partnership wanted to share best practices for responding to and preventing the spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Although some of these measures may seem simple and obvious, a friendly reminder to keep these practices top-of-mind is of great importance during this time. Scroll to the bottom for additional resources.
Latest Updates:
Tuesday, March 10 —
For real-time New York City COVID-19 updates, text “COVID” to 692-692.
The City remains open for business, and at this time, New Yorkers do not need to limit travel within the city, change where they purchase food or how they prepare it, or avoid public gatherings and public transportation.
Monday, March 9 —
NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has set up an Assistance for Businesses webpage.
Business Owners: Here is some comprehensive information
to help your business combat the spread of germs and tips to address changing behavior.
Sunday, March 8 —
Click here for the most recent update from Mayor De Blasio.
The Mayor announced this past weekend that there will be assistance to small businesses to help them adapt to changing customer behavior. Businesses may qualify for low-interest loans and employee retention grants:
Businesses with fewer than 100 employees, seeing a documented decrease in sales up to 25% or more will be eligible for zero-interest loans up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.
The City is also offering eligible small businesses with fewer than five employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees.
For information on low-interest loans and employee retention grants, to receive updates from SBS, and to help SBS collect data on business-related impacts take the SBS COVID-19 Business Assistance Survey.
———
Best Practices for the General Public (As provided by the World Health Organization):
- Wash your hands frequently. CNN Health shared an instructional video on how best to properly wash your hands.
- Maintain social distancing of at least 3 feet between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing
- Get your flu shot – it’s never too late. Flu shots are readily available at Walgreens or CVS locations.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
- If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early.
- With respect to masks, wear one if you are coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning. If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected infection.
- Additionally, at this point New Yorkers do not need to limit travel within the city, avoid public gatherings or public transportation, change anything about where you get your food, or wear a face mask if you are not sick.
Best Practices for the Workplace (As provided by the Center for Disease Control):
- Actively encourage sick employees to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever, signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours.
- Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and that employees are aware of these policies. Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy.
- Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
- Encourage cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace and in other work areas where they are likely to be seen. Clean hands can save lives.
- Provide tissues, hand sanitizer, no-touch disposal receptacles, and disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces can be wiped down by employees before each use.
- Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs.
Resources from the NYC Department of Health:
NYC Theater News
Flatiron BID Posts Information for Local Business on Coronavirus!
Editor’s Note: we are republishing this important summary bulletin about best practices and available information for local businesses we just received from the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership. We will be updating from time to time as we receive more information!
Guidance for Responding to new Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As an advocate for the Flatiron community and beyond, the Flatiron Partnership wanted to share best practices for responding to and preventing the spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Although some of these measures may seem simple and obvious, a friendly reminder to keep these practices top-of-mind is of great importance during this time. Scroll to the bottom for additional resources.
Latest Updates:
Tuesday, March 10 —
For real-time New York City COVID-19 updates, text “COVID” to 692-692.
The City remains open for business, and at this time, New Yorkers do not need to limit travel within the city, change where they purchase food or how they prepare it, or avoid public gatherings and public transportation.
Monday, March 9 —
NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has set up an Assistance for Businesses webpage.
Business Owners: Here is some comprehensive information
to help your business combat the spread of germs and tips to address changing behavior.
Sunday, March 8 —
Click here for the most recent update from Mayor De Blasio.
The Mayor announced this past weekend that there will be assistance to small businesses to help them adapt to changing customer behavior. Businesses may qualify for low-interest loans and employee retention grants:
Businesses with fewer than 100 employees, seeing a documented decrease in sales up to 25% or more will be eligible for zero-interest loans up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.
The City is also offering eligible small businesses with fewer than five employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees.
For information on low-interest loans and employee retention grants, to receive updates from SBS, and to help SBS collect data on business-related impacts take the SBS COVID-19 Business Assistance Survey.
———
Best Practices for the General Public (As provided by the World Health Organization):
Best Practices for the Workplace (As provided by the Center for Disease Control):
Resources from the NYC Department of Health: