COVID-19 Resources for Businesses - Beverly Main Streets : Beverly Main Streets

Below is a list of useful links and updates about COVID-19 resources. We are continuing to add information to this page.

Resources for Businesses

Beverly Main Streets

We are collecting info from downtown businesses in this form Are you open / closed / offering outdoor dining, shopping, take out etc?

List of downtown Beverly businesses that are open/closed and offering outdoor dining, shopping, takeout, delivery, online services etc.

City of Beverly

https://www.reopenbeverly.com/

City of Beverly COVID-19 Resources

Mayor’s statement regarding the City of Beverly remaining in Phase 3 – Step 1 (Oct 2) as well as the Emergency Order signed by the Director of Public Health, Bill Burke (Oct 5)

Food Establishment Covid Order Changes (early closing, face coverings, gatherings and Stay at Home Advisory) 11-3-20

State of Massachusetts

As of December 26, 2020, all businesses must adhere to the following capacity limitations due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.

• Retail stores must limit occupancy to the greater of, 25% of the maximum permitted occupancy, or 5 persons per 1000 sq. feet.
• Restaurants must limit occupancy to 25% of seating capacity.
• The new limits for both retail and restaurants DO NOT include employees in the count. The limits apply to CUSTOMER counts only.

Indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people, with outdoor gatherings limited to 25 people, at all public and private events. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/temporary-capacity-and-gathering-limits

Governor Baker Announces New Restrictions Statewide for Capacity, Mask Compliance and Distancing Due to Increased Cases, Hospitalizations – update published 12/8/20

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that effective Sunday, December 13th, all communities in Massachusetts will return to Step 1 of Phase 3, of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. This will reduce indoor capacities across a broad range of sectors of the economy and tighten several other workplace restrictions. The Administration announced the roll-back to respond to an increase in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving holiday that is straining the health care system in Massachusetts.

The return to Step 1 will also require the closure of certain businesses designated as Step 2 industries. These include indoor performance venues and certain high-contact indoor recreational businesses. In addition, capacity limits will be reduced to 40% statewide for most industries, and the limit on outdoor gatherings will be reduced statewide from 100 persons to 50 persons. Additional safety measures will be applied to restaurant dining as well.

These new measures are designed to prevent infection and viral spread, especially in indoor settings. They will create stronger mask compliance, more social distancing, and limits to the time spent with people outside of your immediate household.

The Administration also announced additional guidance for certain sectors including restaurants, office spaces and gyms, to address activities where mask wearing is not possible at all times.

Phase III, Step I:

Effective December 13, all communities will roll back to Phase 3, Step 1 of Massachusetts’ re-opening plan, including the following restrictions:

Outdoor gatherings at event venues will be limited to no more than 50 people
Hosts of outdoor gatherings of greater than 25 people will be required to provide advance notice of the gathering their local board of health
Indoor theaters and performance venues and higher contact indoor recreation businesses will be required to close to the public
Outdoor theaters and performance venues will be limited to 25% capacity, and no more than 50 people

In all communities, capacity will be reduced from 50% to 40% for the following sectors:

Arcades/Indoor and Outdoor Recreational Businesses

Driving and Flight Schools
Gyms/Health Clubs
Libraries
Museums
Retail
Offices
Places of Worship
Lodging (common areas)
Golf facilities
Movie Theaters (Maximum 50 people per theater)

This new capacity limit will not apply to sectors that do not currently have a percentage-based capacity limit, including restaurants, laboratories and close contact personal services.

Click here to read the revised gatherings order.

Click here to read the order rolling Massachusetts back to Phase III, Step 1.

Restaurants and Venues

The Administration also announced new guidelines for restaurants and other venues with seated dining, including:

Patrons must wear masks at all times except when eating and drinking
Restaurants must seat no more than six patrons per table
Restaurants must impose a 90-minute time limit on tables
Musical performances at restaurants will no longer be permitted
Food court seating must be closed in malls

Customers are encouraged to dine only with members of the same household.

Offices and Gyms

The Administration announced new guidelines for workplaces and gyms, including:

In offices, employees must wear masks at their place of work when not in their own workspace and alone
Employers are encouraged to close or limit the use of break rooms
Patrons must wear masks at all times in gyms

The Administration continues to encourage all employers to offer teleworking to their employees when possible.

Detailed industry reopening plan

Reopening Compliance Attestation Poster

Reopening Employee Poster

Reopening Employer Poster

Reopening Control Poster

COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Businesses

Layoff Aversion

Work Share (Employers can divide available work between affected employees instead of laying off workers)

MassHire Department of Career Services Rapid Response Employer Information updated 4/14

Click here for the full list of categories of “COVID-19 Essential Services” updated March 31

COVID-19 Essential Services FAQs are here, providing further guidance on a rolling basis with regular updates

To request a waiver to receive an essential service designation (from the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

Businesses deemed essential based on the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance do NOT need to apply for an Essential Service Designation
- Please reference the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance to see if your business is covered – https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-essential-services
- If your business is covered, you do not need to take any action or receive an essential service designation
Businesses that are NOT covered under current guidance can submit an online request to be designated as essential for the purposes of the Emergency Order
- Essential Service Designation request – https://www.mass.gov/forms/essential-service-designation-request
- Please only request a designation if your business is not covered by the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance
Please do not send duplicative emails to covid19.biz@mass.gov if you submitted via the online form
- Staff is actively monitoring this inbox; duplicate inquiries are not necessary.

We will continue to keep this group informed by sending emails, posting on EOHED’s website, and by updating the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list. Due to the current volumes, we will not be responding to individual queries.

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center

If you do not already have an SBA coach, and you have questions regarding the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) process, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) would be happy to answer questions. They provide one-to-one confidential free advising. Your must first complete a Request for Counseling (RFC). The RFC may be obtained at http://sbdc.salemstate.edu/rfc.html .

If you are already a client of the MSBDC-Northeast Regional Office, please email your advisor for the next step in the process: Walter Manninen: wmanninen@salemstate.edu; Awilda Irizarry: airizarry@salemstate.edu; Nancy Gerardi: ngerardi@salemstate.edu
If you do not have an advisor yet at the MA Small Business Development Center or forgot their name, please email: Kaitlin Muldoon: kmuldoon@salemstate.edu.

PPP updates

PPP Forgiveness Application

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) updated as of 4/7

Paycheck Protection Plan Interim Final Rule 2_0 – dated April 15

Helpful Phone Numbers – SBA Resources for EIDL and PPP

SCORE – 978.927.2282
Center for Women & Enterprise – 617.536.0700
Small Biz Development Ctr (SBDC) – 978.542.6343

CARES Act

Massachusetts Announces Initial Implementation Of New Federal Unemployment Benefits From CARES Act

Policy Brief: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (The CARES Act) by Greater Boston Chamber

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act – The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

How the CARES Act can help your Business provided by Seth Moulton

MA Small Business Development Center Network – Massachusetts Export Center – Financial Programs and Resources for Exporters

US Small Business Administration
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

“The Small Business Administration will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. This will ensure that SBA has properly coded the system to account for changes made by the legislation.”

Information from https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses#sba-relief-options-

Summary of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Financial Assistance

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on the payroll. Loans are up to $10M, with a 1.0% interest rate and a 2-year maturity; there are no payments for the first six months.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance is a Loan Advance of $10,000 that is available to applicants who have been approved for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan; it does not need to be repaid, so you can think of the Advance as a grant for business expenses.

The Express Bridge Loan Program is available to businesses that have an existing business relationship with an SBA-approved lender; speak to your lender about accessing this option while you await a decision on long-term financing.

The SBA is also offering Debt Relief to small businesses. Under this relief, the SBA will automatically pay the principal and interest for six months beginning March 27^th, 2020 for qualifying new and current holders of 7(a) loans, 504, and microloans

Federal Tax Relief Provisions

The Employee Retention Tax Credit is a tax credit against federal tax liability that can benefit almost any employer (regardless of size and including tax-exempt organizations) whose business has been either fully or partially suspended by government orders due to COVID-19, or whose revenues have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of the credit is to reduce a portion of the costs of keeping employees on payroll and provide direct relief to businesses. Employers can have an effective “refund” (tax credit) of up to $5,000 per employee by reducing their required payroll deposits. Eligibility for the credit is impacted by the business’ utilization of other federal stimulus programs. Read more about this provision in the IRS’s policy document and keep an eye on the IRS’s Coronavirus Tax Relief page for additional guidance as it becomes available.

State Tax Relief

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) is actively monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus. Please visit their COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Update page for the latest on filing and payment extensions and penalty relief, tax or debt resolutions, communicating with DOR, and more.

Prepared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus Federal Small Business Stimulus Aid Programs

Prepared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist

MA Small Business Development Center Network – Massachusetts Export Center

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements

The federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and FMLA Expansion (Families First Coronavirus Response Act) goes into effect on April 1
Employer Leave Obligations during COVID-19
US Department of Labor – FAQs about Families First Coronavirus Response

Grants, Loans, Crowd Funding and more

On 12/23, Gov Baker announced a new $668M grant program for for-profit businesses. It’s a huge expansion of the $50M Small Business Grant Program which was announced in October. This was run thru Mass Growth Capital Corp (www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org).

If you applied for one of these grants and didn’t receive one (announced on 12/21), you are automatically entered into this new pool of money. You don’t need to re-apply. Grants will be awarded over the next 2 weeks.

If you didn’t already apply for one of those grants, you will be able to apply starting December 31. Applications will close January 15 and $ will be distributed in February. More info will be on the MGCC website this Monday (https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org).

You may request up to $75,000 or 3 months of cost of operations (payroll, rent, utilities, etc). You have to be able to document that you had a loss equal to or greater than the amount you request.

Massachusetts Growth Capital SBA Microloan program

MassDevelopment Equipment Loan

Small Business Relief Tracker: Funding, Grants And Resources For Business Owners Grappling With Coronavirus (note – some of these resources, especially the grants, are available on a first-come, first-served basis so apply sooner rather than later)

Facebook Small Business Grant Program – We’re now accepting applications for all eligible areas in the United States

Patronicity Crowd Funding

Mainfest Crowd Funding

LISC resources, including grants

LISC Small Business Recovery Grant Program for Massachusetts – The link to the application will be available online beginning Monday, April 20 at noon, 12 PM EST and will close on Friday, April 24 at noon, 12 PM EST.

CDC

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

US Department of Labor

DOL Coronavirus Resources

To make a donation of supplies to Beverly Hospital

Food or Material Donations to Beverly Hospital

Hospitals need your help

Covid-19 Gift-in-kind Acceptance for Businesses

AGH and BH Gift-in-Kind Loading Dock Directions

Downtown Boston and surrounding area

ADVISORIES, BUSINESS RELIEF & RECOVERY RESOURCES

Reliable PPE & Plexiglass Sources

Masks
Salem Plumbing Supply – support local!
Amazon
Restaurant Depot
Cleanzone
Sysco
Conley Drug Store
Trimark United East
Arrow Paper
Grainger
US Foods

Gloves
Gordon Food Services
Trimark
Sysco
Restaurant Depot
Staples
Sirois
Arrow Paper
Amazon

Plexiglass
Interstate Plastic
Trimark
Lowe’s
Home Depot
Weaver Glass
Picture Hanging Systems (sneeze guards)

Resources for Restaurants

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-restaurants Effective: November 6, 2020

https://www.mass.gov/doc/sector-specific-workplace-safety-standards-phase-iii-step-1-for-restaurants-to-address-covid-0/download

Massachusetts Restaurant Association Coronavirus Information & Resource Page

Independent Restaurant Coalition – Resources page

Independent Restaurant Coalition – COVID-19 Legislation

The Paycheck Protection Program study

National Restaurant Association

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) Executive Summary for Restaurants

This Technical Information Release announces that the Department of Revenue will waive any late-file or late-pay penalties imposed under G.L. c. 62C, § 33 for returns and payments due during the period March 20, 2020 through May 31, 2020, for certain taxpayers with meals tax and room occupancy excise obligations. TIR 20-2: LATE-FILE AND LATE- PAY PENALTY RELIEF FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS TAXPAYERS AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

Save America’s Restaurants Petition

Behind You Emergency Fund

United States Bartenders Guild Charity Foundation

Grubhub announcement

Toasttab resource list

Restaurant Strong Fund