Links to stories shared by EMDA members. If you want to share a story with EMDA members, please send link to pat@EMDA.net and we’ll get it posted here.
- 81% of AgPro Audience Concerned About COVID-19 And Their Business [AgPro]
- Homeland Security deems agriculture as ‘critical infrastructure’ amid COVID-19 pandemic [AgriPulse]
- A Timeline of Ag Equipment Manufacturer Responses to COVID-19 [Lessiter Media]
CDC Resources
- For the most up to date information, go directly to the CDC’s COVID-19 website
- Business Pandemic Planning Checklist
- Printable Posters & Handouts
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Resources for the Distribution Industry
- “Distribution Industry: Navigating the Crisis” with Alan Beaulieu (available for Purchase On Demand) – Fear and uncertainty are seemingly everywhere, along with an incredible projection regarding infections and deaths. Beaulieu looks into that, and past the noise, and determine the most likely outcome for distributors.
Workforce Guidance
- Recommendations and requirements to use face coverings are on the rise, so are employer obligations
- Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker Guidance
- Updated (Version 3) Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response
“Employees of firms providing services that enable logistics operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use.” (emphasis added)
This CISA memorandum is meant to help state and local officials determine how to protect their communities while also ensuring the security and resiliency of critical infrastructure. Ultimately state governors and local official guidance will vary based on state and region.
- Template letter to provide to drivers and employees that they can use to get to work and conduct work as employees of the critical infrastructure. Please be aware that this letter is self-certifying and not an official federal document. You should review any document that you provide to your employees with your own counsel. Click here to see the letter.
- COVID-19 response by County
- OSHA Resources for Workers and Employers
- OSHA safety tips and Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- Department of Labor Employee Rights Poster
- Customizable Workplace Safety Flyer from U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Preventing COVID-19 Exposure, and Employer Liability, in the Workplace
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended their emergency declaration through May 15th. FMCSA released a new FAQ to address many of the questions the agency has received specifically regarding actions State Drivers Licensing Agencies or commercial driver’s license holders may take during the current COVID-19 emergency.
Legislative Actions
State links are listed first, then the various aspects of U.S. National Legislative actions are alphabetical
- State Legislative Actions
- National Governors Association’s State/Territorial Resource Pages
- U.S. National Legislative Actions – read daily briefings from NAW on EMDA newsletter/blog
- Business Tax Relief
- CARES Act – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
Many of the business-specific component parts of the CARES Act interact, overlap or conflict with one another. For example, in a number of instances, a business which takes advantage of one program is ineligible for another or may get reduced benefits from another. A strong and long-time ally in Washington, the S-Corp Association, has put together this really useful slide showing the interaction between all these programs.
- Employee Retention Tax Credit
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) [effective April 1, 2020]
- Checklist to help employers navigate this complex legislation
- Employee Paid Leave Rights
- Employer Paid Leave Requirements
- Questions and Answers
- Poster to fulfill notice requirements for employers obligated to inform employees about their rights under this new law
- Questions & Answers about posting requirements
- Field Assistance Bulletin
- Wage & Hour Division of DOL WHD provided additional information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Department of Labor Webinar: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
- Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)
- 05/19/2020-As of today and once again, no MSLP launch date has been announced. We will continue to monitor the Federal Reserve for information and provide you with any relevant and timely updates.
- 04/30/2020-The Federal Reserve press release, along with the new term sheets and a long FAQ document.
- Paycheck Protection Program
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Small Business/Internal Revenue Service
- SBA Disaster Assistance
- Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- SBA loans under CARES act
- Click here to read more information on small and mid-size business tax credits for paid sick and family leave.
- Guidance on Relief for Employers from Providing Payroll Taxes
- Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19
- Small and Medium Size Business FAQ
U.S. State Resources
- Federal Guidelines for Re-Opening America
- State and local COVID-19 response information provided by MultiState Associates.
- Covington & Burling LLP has published a four-part series report examining the most challenging issues faced by employers who are planning to re-open or continue productive operations. The report addresses key employer considerations, including: Navigating the Legal Risk of Return; Considering Screening Measures for Employees Returning to Work; General Workplace Safety Precautions; Accommodating Special Circumstances
- Interactive map of state and county level orders.
- Health departments in all 50 states, 8 US territories and freely associated states, and the District of Columbia.
- Homeland security and public safety web sites from the states, territories and the District of Columbia
Canadian Resources
Reporting suspected COVID-19 fraud
- U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the District of Louisiana, urged the public to report any suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus)
- You can report suspected fraud by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or send an email to the NCDF at: disaster@leo.gov.
