COVID-19 Resource Guide (current as of October 30, 2020)

Dear Metro South Community Members,
We want to express our deep gratitude to all our members for their partnership and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented situation. In particular, all of us are grateful for the public and private health care institutions, businesses, and employees who are on the front lines. The Metro South Chamber’s goal in this pandemic is to assist all businesses during this time of economic difficulty. Research, education, consultation, networking and advocacy are where we are focusing our energy and resources. The Chamber’s leaders, through the years, have taken great care to set aside the financial reserves necessary to continue the work of the Chamber. We look forward to our part in honoring a tradition of leadership begun more than a century ago. Currently, Chamber staff are working and accessible remotely. The office is open by appointment per Governor Baker’s orders. In recent weeks, we have pivoted to ZOOM and on-line technology to provide an array of business resources and networking opportunities. While advances and precautions are prudent and necessary, it’s also a time to show the compassion and leadership that the people of Metro South and Massachusetts are known for. It’s a time for us all to support our neighbors and colleagues, and remember that we’re all in this together. Let’s also remember to not let fear overcome our instincts for empathy and humanity. We continue to share updates and resources accessible to our businesses via ZOOM calls on Friday at 2:00 p.m. We are joined by the Mayor of Brockton, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, the United States Small Business Administration and special guests providing information and valuable contacts helpful to our business community. The Metro South Chamber has developed a web resource page with current offerings for our business community affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Resources include business assistance loans, labor & employment updates, legislative action, working-from-home guidance, best practices, and services to help maintain communication and keep business moving forward! We urge you to visit the one-stop COVID-19 business resource guide for more information. www.metrosouthchamber.com/resources/covid-19-resource-guide.

 

Baker-Polito Administration, MA

Reopening Massachusetts: Current State, Phase III, Step 2 (as of October 5, 2020).
 Download the Reopening MA Report.
Reopening Phase 3 Step 2 Presentation Somerville 10-1-20

Public health data, key metrics established to track real-time progress, determine advancement to future phases while mandatory workplace safety standards, sector-specific guidance issued to all Phase 1 industries, businesses, customers and activities. Click here to view Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces.

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that effective Monday, October 5th, lower risk communities will be permitted to move into Step II of Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. All other communities will remain in Phase III, Step I. Governor Charlie Baker also issued a revised gatherings order. Industry specific guidance and protocols for a range of Phase I, II, and III businesses will also be updated. (Read more)

Phase III, Step II: 

Lower risk communities are defined as cities and towns that have not been a “red” community in any of the last three weekly Department of Public Health (DPH) weekly reports.

Effective October 5, a limited number of sectors will be eligible to reopen, with restrictions, in Step II of Phase III for lower risk communities only:

  • Indoor performance venues will be permitted to open with 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 people. 
  • Outdoor performance venue capacity will increase to 50% with a max of 250 people.
  • For arcades and indoor and outdoor recreation businesses, additional Step II activities like trampolines, obstacle courses, roller rinks and laser tag will also be permitted to open and capacity will increase to 50%.
  • Fitting rooms will be permitted to open in all types of retail stores.  
  • Gyms, museums, libraries and driving and flight schools will also be permitted to increase their capacity to 50%.
  • Read more: Governor’s COVID-19 Order #51

Revised Gatherings Order:

  • The limit for indoor gatherings remains at a maximum of 25 people for all communities.
  • Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 50 people for all communities.
  • Outdoor gatherings at event venues and in public settings will have a limit of 50 people in Step I communities, and a limit of 100 people in lower risk, Step II communities.
  • Read more: Governor’s COVID-19 Order #52

General Business Guidance: Information to help businesses meet the self-certification requirement to reopen. All businesses must meet these requirements before reopening. Businesses operating to provide Essential Services, as defined in the Governor’s March 23, 2020 Executive Order, updated on March 31, April 28 and May 15, may remain open and have until May 25, 2020 to comply with these mandatory safety standards.

  • COVID-19 Control Plan Template – Template that satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification
  • Compliance Attestation Poster – Poster that customer facing businesses are required to print, sign, and post in an area within the business premises that is visible to workers and visitors
  • Employer and Worker Posters – Posters that businesses can print and display within the business premises to describe the rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting

Sector-Specific Protocols and Best Practices: Mandatory safety standards and recommended best practices for sectors that are eligible to open in Phase 1. Additional sector guidance for future phases will be issued at a later date. Businesses operating to provide Essential Services, as defined in the Governor’s March 23, 2020 Executive Order, updated on March 31, April 28 and May 15, may remain open and have until May 25, 2020 to comply with their industry’s sector-specific protocols (if applicable).

More helpful links:

 

Brockton Neighborhood Health Center & Signature Healthcare

“TESTING IS THE KEY TO REOPENING THE REGION’S ECONOMY”

“As the state begins the gradual process of re-opening, employers and their staffs are reminded they can be tested for COVID-19 in less than 10 minutes at the state’s regional drive-thru site at Brockton High School. The governor is basing his re-opening of the state’s economy on these test results, so the more tested, the better. The tests are done by Brockton Neighborhood Health Center and Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and take less than 10 minutes. Same-day appointments are available, and results come back usually within two days. The test is free on all insurance plans — if someone does not have insurance, we’ll help them arrange it. 

The site is open Monday and Thursday from 4-7pm. Please call our testing hotline at 1-844-4test19 to register for your test, or for more information.”

 

Small Business Assistance & Resource Center: COVID-19 Video Series

     

 

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

To receive up to $10,000 as a forgivable SBA loan advance to help your business and our regional economy recover from COVID-19, follow this link: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/

 

Supply Donation Requests

Brockton Neighborhood Health Center (BNHC)
Brockton Visiting Nurse Association (BVNA) 

Funding Options & Other Resources

Service Alerts

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship (March 30, 2020)

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

National Coronavirus Response: A Road Map to Reopening

What’s Inside the $2 Trillion Federal Coronavirus Stimulus Package? (March 27, 2020)

The U.S. Senate passed a roughly $2 trillion coronavirus response bill intended to expedite relief across the nation’s economy. This is the third such aid package from Congress and is meant to keep businesses and individuals afloat during this unprecedented time. (Full text of the CARES Act)

Small Business Benefits
The bill includes:
  • $10 billion for emergency micro-grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses;
  • $350 billion forgivable loan program through the U.S. Small Business Administration for companies with 500 or fewer employees;
  • $17 billion to cover six months of payments for small businesses already accessing SBA loans;
  • Changes to rules for expenses and deductions meant to make it easier for companies to keep employees on the payroll and stay open in the near-term.
The bill establishes a fully refundable tax credit for businesses of all sizes that are closed or distressed to help them keep workers on the payroll. The goal is to get those employees re-hired or put on paid furlough to ensure they have jobs to which they may return. The credit covers up to 50 percent of payroll on the first $10,000 of compensation, including health benefits, for each employee.  
 
For employers with more than 100 full-time employees, the credit is for wages paid to employees when they are not providing services because of the coronavirus. Eligible employers with 100 or fewer full-time employees could use the deduction even if they aren’t closed. 
 
The SBA will deputize local banks to help administer these SBA funds to local businesses. Eligible and interested companies should contact their current local bank to inquire as to how they can apply for the low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
 

Congress, White House make deal on $2 Trillion stimulus package

Overnight, officials reached an agreement on the massive package that will directly help Americans and rescue the economy. (March 25, 2020)

White House Seeks Help from Manufacturers

The White House is reaching out to U.S. manufacturers to identify their capabilities to help the United States during the COVID-19 crisis. The administration is seeking volunteers who can donate and provide and/or produce within two weeks large-scale quantities of critical supplies to help the nation respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

In Spanish, Carranza Urges Business Owners To Seek Loans.

A Spanish-language article and video on the website of KTDO-TV El Paso, TX (4/10, Serrano) reported on the government response to the pandemic. SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza briefly appeared on the clip, urging small businesses owners to apply for loans.

 

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

  • MEMA’s Emergency Operations Center’s Private Sector Hotline will be staffed Monday-Friday, from 8AM-4PM, call (508)-820-2094.

SCORE

Labor & Employment, Municipal, Education, and HR Alerts

MassHire Department of Career Services Rapid Response Employer Information

Mass Cultural Council announces COVID-19 Grant Fund for the Creative

MASSCreative COVID-19 Virtual Policy & Action Update

 

 

How to Work from Home, Effectively

Business doesn’t stop, and neither do we! Now is the perfect time to work on perfecting new ways to connect and work together. New developments call for a new strategy. To that end, we’re refocusing some of our resources to support digital members and community engagement. Be on the lookout for webinars, conference calls, video chats, and more! Below are several resources that are now being widely used, in an effort to keep business moving forward.

ZOOM: Zoom is the top video and web conferencing app. They offer a series of one-minute video introductions to help get you started seamlessly; webinars are also available, and you can request a demo at any time. Their basic (free) package offers 40 minute calls with up to 100 participants. Other packages include unlimited screen time, participants, and more. Forbes: Zoom CEO Eric Yuan is Giving K-12 Schools His Videoconferencing Tools For Free

Free Conference Call: Once you sign up, you will be provided with a Dial-in Number and Access Code for immediate conferencing, and on Online Meeting ID for hosting meetings with Screen Sharing and Video Conferencing. There’s also an app available, making it even more accessible. Simple & easy conference calling right on your mobile device!

Google Remote Work hub: This link includes resources and free tools to help your own teams work smoothly, and to help you stay connected to the communities we serve. Here you’ll find information on how to:

  • Work from anywhere: Best practices for effective communication and collaboration while working remotely and meeting via video conferencing.
  • Teach from anywhere: Support virtual learning and how workshops from anywhere using collaborative tools.
  • Learn from anywhere: Share training content through digital resources to that the people in your community can access online courses and curriculum.

Google has always created a new helpful site for small businesses with additional tips and recommendations to navigate this time of uncertainty for employees and customers.

Other resources:

 

Learning from Home

 

Restaurant Updates

Abington Ale House: Take-Out available 11:30am-7:00pm daily
1235 Bedford Street
Abington, MA 02351
(781) 871-6811

Barrett’s Alehouse: Temporarily Closed
674 West Center Street
West Bridgewater, MA 02379
(508) 510-4204

Brack’s Grille & Tap: Open for Take-Out & Delivery, check availability.
1280 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 271-7777

Buffalo Wild Wings: Open for Take-out & Delivery
486 Westgate Drive
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 559-1409

Cape Cod Cafe, Inc.: Open for Take-Out
979 Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 583-9420

George’s: Open for Take-Out, Monday-Sunday 11am-10:30pm
228 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 588-4231

Good Days Restaurant, Inc.: Open for Take-Out Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 8am-7pm
99 South Main Street
West Bridgewater, MA 02379
(508) 584-0077

Italian Kitchen: Open for Take-Out
1071 Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 586-2100

JJ’s Caffe: Temporarily Closed
610 N. Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 510-4227

Joe Angelo’s Cafe & Deli: Open for Take-Out & Delivery, 11am-10pm
11 Crescent Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 588-8331

LongHorn Steakhouse: Open for Take-Out
800 US Road, Route 44
Raynham, MA 02767
(508) 821-9246

McDonald’s: Open for Drive-Thru & Take-Out
664 Crescent Street
Brockton, MA 02302
(508) 586-4594

McGuiggan’s Pub:Open for Take-Out, 4-8pm
546 Washington Street
Whitman, MA 02382
(781) 447-7333

Stonebridge Cafe: Open for Take-Out
1285 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 584-5200

Texas Roadhouse: Open for Take-Out
124 Westgate Drive
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 427-6244

Yamato Japanese Steak House: Temporarily Closed
510 Westgate Drive
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 588-8881