Editor’s Note: In this difficult time for small business in the Flatiron District, NoMad, and Chelsea, let’s all make sure that all of us keep abreast of the latest news, city and statewide requirements, and those sources of aid for small business. Check this useful page updated daily by our local BID, the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership to keep in the loop! Looking at it today, and of most interest to small businesses, are information concerning two programs that NYC is rolling out shortly – a grant program encouraging small businesses with 4 employees or less to keep their staff in place, and a “zero-interest” loan program for those businesses that have seen a substantial dropoff in business owing to the Corona Virus emergency! You will also find on this page lots of other useful info about regulations, procedures, and up-to-date statements from the Mayor’s and Governor’s Offices – let’s all keep informed!
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Businesses
Updated Wednesday, March 18, 12:40 pm
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).
The Flatiron/23rd Partnership Team is working hard to get our business owners resources and information as it becomes available, while continuing to keep residents apprised of options for supporting small businesses. We’re all in this together.
If you have questions or needs, please reach out to the team directly at Covid19@FlatironDistrict.nyc
Are you a community member worried about the impact to local businesses? We are too. Here are a few ways to continue to support local businesses without leaving your home.
Scroll to the bottom for additional resources.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:
Visit NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Assistance for Businesses.
Grants & Loans
- NYC Small Business Continuity Fund: 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.
- Small Business Employee Retention Grant: The City is also offering eligible small businesses with fewer than five (i.e. 1-4) 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.
Have questions or need help? Email the Partnership team: Covid19@FlatironDistrict.nyc
Additional Business Resources:
Here is some comprehensive information
to help your business combat the spread of germs and tips to address changing behavior.
For restaurants and other hospitality businesses, sign up for the New York Hospitality Alliance for email timely email updates.
Small Buisiness Services COVID-19 Guidance for Business Owners (Updated 3-16-2020)
LATEST UPDATES (3/16/2020 at 3:49pm)
For the Latest Updates from the City of New York visit: nyc.gov/coronavirus
3/13: Mayor de Blasio issued a State of Emergency for NYC.
3/13: Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order for the State of NY.
For real-time New York City COVID-19 updates, text “COVID” to 692-692.
Bars, Restaurants Must Shift Delivery Only and Entertainment and Venues Must Close
Starting MONDAY, MARCH 16, at 8 PM restaurants, cafes, and bars that serve food must serve food via take-out and delivery only.
The Governor also announced that alcoholic beverages will now also be available for delivery, as a part of this rule. This is not a permanent change and would only be in effect for the duration of the mandatory closures.
Bars that do not serve food, along with nightclubs, gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, small theater houses and concert venues must all close.
NYC Public School Buildings Closed
New York City public schools will be closed to students and staff on Monday, March 16. Starting Tuesday, March 17, schools will move toward a new Remote Learning Model for all school days until Spring Recess. More information on NYC public school building closures
Restrictions and Guidance for Large Events
Existing and future standalone events with attendance exceeding over 500 persons, including parades, sports events, performances, races, and rallies are cancelled for at least 30 days, effective Friday, March 13, 2020. Programming will also be cancelled at indoor venues with consistent seating capacity over 500.
New Restrictions and Guidance for Establishments:
Any place of business or public accommodation, and any gathering or event, with a capacity of 500 people or less, including concert venues, theatres, museums, department stores and religious institutions are required to maintain an occupancy level below 50 total people, which must be at or below 50% of their legal capacity to ensure maximum social distancing effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
Baruch College and other CUNY/SUNY Institutions:
CUNY and SUNY universities will hold most classes online beginning on March 19th. The campuses will remain open, and certain classes, such as labs, may still be taught in person. Students who live on campus and have no other place to go will have access to housing. .
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.
- Stay home even if you feel well. When interacting with others for any reason, maintain social distancing of at least three to six feet. It is believed the virus can be transmitted before or without the onset of symptoms. (updated 3/15)
- 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 by first calling your primary care physician or using a virtual doctor. (updated 3/12/20)
- 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.
- New Yorkers ARE being encouraged to practice social distancing, limit travel within the city, and avoid public gatherings. There are no current recommendations to change anything about where you get your food. (updated 3/12/20)
Best Practices for the Workplace (As provided by the Center for Disease Control):
- If possible for your place of business implement work from home policies. (updated 3/12/20)
- 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:
CUNY Coronavirus Update Page
NYC Theater News
Flatiron Hot! Pundit: BID Resource Page for Small Business – A Critical Resource!
Editor’s Note: In this difficult time for small business in the Flatiron District, NoMad, and Chelsea, let’s all make sure that all of us keep abreast of the latest news, city and statewide requirements, and those sources of aid for small business. Check this useful page updated daily by our local BID, the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership to keep in the loop! Looking at it today, and of most interest to small businesses, are information concerning two programs that NYC is rolling out shortly – a grant program encouraging small businesses with 4 employees or less to keep their staff in place, and a “zero-interest” loan program for those businesses that have seen a substantial dropoff in business owing to the Corona Virus emergency! You will also find on this page lots of other useful info about regulations, procedures, and up-to-date statements from the Mayor’s and Governor’s Offices – let’s all keep informed!
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Businesses
Updated Wednesday, March 18, 12:40 pm
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).
The Flatiron/23rd Partnership Team is working hard to get our business owners resources and information as it becomes available, while continuing to keep residents apprised of options for supporting small businesses. We’re all in this together.
If you have questions or needs, please reach out to the team directly at Covid19@FlatironDistrict.nyc
Are you a community member worried about the impact to local businesses? We are too. Here are a few ways to continue to support local businesses without leaving your home.
Scroll to the bottom for additional resources.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:
Visit NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Assistance for Businesses.
Grants & Loans
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.
Have questions or need help? Email the Partnership team: Covid19@FlatironDistrict.nyc
Additional Business Resources:
Here is some comprehensive information
to help your business combat the spread of germs and tips to address changing behavior.
For restaurants and other hospitality businesses, sign up for the New York Hospitality Alliance for email timely email updates.
Small Buisiness Services COVID-19 Guidance for Business Owners (Updated 3-16-2020)
LATEST UPDATES (3/16/2020 at 3:49pm)
For the Latest Updates from the City of New York visit: nyc.gov/coronavirus
3/13: Mayor de Blasio issued a State of Emergency for NYC.
3/13: Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order for the State of NY.
For real-time New York City COVID-19 updates, text “COVID” to 692-692.
Bars, Restaurants Must Shift Delivery Only and Entertainment and Venues Must Close
Starting MONDAY, MARCH 16, at 8 PM restaurants, cafes, and bars that serve food must serve food via take-out and delivery only.
The Governor also announced that alcoholic beverages will now also be available for delivery, as a part of this rule. This is not a permanent change and would only be in effect for the duration of the mandatory closures.
Bars that do not serve food, along with nightclubs, gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, small theater houses and concert venues must all close.
NYC Public School Buildings Closed
New York City public schools will be closed to students and staff on Monday, March 16. Starting Tuesday, March 17, schools will move toward a new Remote Learning Model for all school days until Spring Recess. More information on NYC public school building closures
Restrictions and Guidance for Large Events
Existing and future standalone events with attendance exceeding over 500 persons, including parades, sports events, performances, races, and rallies are cancelled for at least 30 days, effective Friday, March 13, 2020. Programming will also be cancelled at indoor venues with consistent seating capacity over 500.
New Restrictions and Guidance for Establishments:
Any place of business or public accommodation, and any gathering or event, with a capacity of 500 people or less, including concert venues, theatres, museums, department stores and religious institutions are required to maintain an occupancy level below 50 total people, which must be at or below 50% of their legal capacity to ensure maximum social distancing effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
Baruch College and other CUNY/SUNY Institutions:
CUNY and SUNY universities will hold most classes online beginning on March 19th. The campuses will remain open, and certain classes, such as labs, may still be taught in person. Students who live on campus and have no other place to go will have access to housing. .
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:
CUNY Coronavirus Update Page