impactHR Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources Center
With the ongoing global effort to slow and halt the spread of the Coronavirus disease, COVID-19, our impactHR team is working remotely for our clients. As with many employers, our priority is to ensure the maximum safety and health of our client organizations’ teams and ours. This is our top priority always and is especially so now.
As part of this, the impactHR team is fully on-duty and committed to addressing our clients’ on-going HR needs and issues, especially during this period. We’re continuing unabated service to our clients and collaboration with our expert partners.
With this in mind, we’re providing this impactHR Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources Center to help employers and their employees navigate the uncertain period ahead. This portal – and all of its information and links to key resources – will be updated on a regular basis.
We also wish health and safety to everyone, especially to all doctors, nurses, first responders and medical professionals.
General Guides to Business Operations
CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: Core information about COVID-19 and how employers can help prevent and slow the spread of the virus.
The Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) Center for Systems Science and Engineering has developed an interactive web-based dashboard to visualize and track reported cases in real-time. Click here to visit the JHU Coronavirus Resource Center.
For coronavirus testing sites and facilities, The Johns Hopkins University’s Carey School of Business has developed an interactive map of drive-through COVID-19 testing sites in the DC/Maryland/Virginia region and across the US.
General Guides to Business Continuity
CovidActNow’s U.S. COVID Map & Risk Levels portal is a website resource with comprehensive state-by-state data charts on progress toward achieving reopening milestones.
US Chamber of Commerce Resources for Business Guide: provides content on workplace tips for employees, a workplace communications toolkit and guidance for employers on planning and responding to the crisis.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a new reopening guidance document: “COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings.“
EEOC Guidance for Employers: This offers guidance on complying with ADA, Rehabilitation Act and related policies (including reasonable accommodation practices). This guidance document, for example, says employers may measure employees’ body temperature. In addition, the EEOC stated that “an employer may choose to administer COVID-19 testing to employees before they enter the workplace to determine if they have the virus.” Read more.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has posted its “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes.” Read more.
COVID-19 HR-Related New Legislation and Policies
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired December 31, 2020. The US Department of Labor issued new guidance on Dec. 31, 2020 indicating FFCRA’s Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave provisions will be extended for employers on a voluntary basis. Employers who choose to offer these paid leaves can still receive a tax credit through September 31, 2021. Read more.
- For Small Businesses: Employers, including religious or nonprofit organizations, with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from providing the FFCRA benefits based on certain criteria. Read more (questions 58-59).
- The DOL has issued new Q&As (on August 27, 2020) #98-100 to clarify an employee’s eligibility for FFCRA leave based on how a child’s school is operating in this new school year (e.g., on a remote or hybrid schedule or fully open with parental option to learn virtually).
- Updated FFCRA Questions and Answers compliance assistance to employers and employees on their responsibilities and rights under the FFCRA.
- All covered employers must now post a notice of the FFCRA provisions in conspicuous places on their premises. Learn more about FFCRA employer notice requirements.
- The US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued guidance documents for employers and employees.
Flexible I-9 Compliance: The US Department of Homeland Security has announced that employers with all employees working remotely will not be required, through January 31, 2021, to review new employees’ identity and employment authorization documents in employees’ physical presence.
Guides for Federal Business Emergency and Disaster Assistance
The Federal Reserve has established its Main Street Lending Program to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SBA Disaster Assistance: DC, Maryland and Virginia have been approved for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which provides low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
CARES Act: This US Senate guide to the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act focuses on the main SBA programs (including the Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Emergency Grants and Small Business Debt Relief) plus US Treasury programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): the PPP ended on May 31, 2021. The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA. Learn more.
Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service’s Employee Retention Credit: This refundable tax credit is designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. This is a refundable tax credit of 50% up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.
For Maryland Employers
NEW: The Maryland Department of Labor has announced that an additional $20 million in funding is available for Maryland’s small businesses through an expansion of its COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund. Learn more.
The Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance hosts its BEACON one-stop unemployment insurance application portal.
Maryland TEDCO’s COVID-19: Maryland Business Resources is a comprehensive portal with strategic business-support resources for entrepreneurial-growth companies and startups.
Howard County, MD COVID-19 Coronavirus County Government Updates
Montgomery County, MD COVID-19 Information & Updates Portal
Prince George’s County, MD: What You Need to Know about Coronavirus (COVID-19) Portal
For Virginia Employers
The State of Virginia’s Coronavirus Portal contains comprehensive information for public health and safety and for business operations and support.
The Virginia Chamber has posted a COVID-19 Resource Center with information about an array of state and federal business support programs.
Arlington County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources
Fairfax County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources
For District of Columbia Employers
The District of Columbia Coronavirus Portal posts information and resources for public health and for business operations and support.
The District of Columbia’s Recovery | For Businesses Portal contains comprehensive information on DC and federal support programs.
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