• U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, Inc. / Haitian American Business Expo, Inc.

• Connect with us

• Telephone781-607-7007

• Emailcontact@ushaitianchamber.org

On March 10, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, giving the Administration more flexibility to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. Read more here.

The Baker-Polito Administration also announced new guidance for Executive Branch employees in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The guidance goes into effect on Wednesday, March 11, and will be revisited in 30 days or sooner as circumstances dictate. The full details are as follows:

• All work-related travel, both foreign and domestic, is to be discontinued until further notice. Executive Branch employees are also strongly encouraged to avoid any personal international travel.

• Conferences, seminars and other discretionary gatherings, scheduled and hosted by Executive Branch agencies involving external parties, are to be held virtually or cancelled. Regular internal business shall continue, including but not limited to mandated public hearings and board meetings. Meeting organizers are strongly encouraged to utilize alternatives like conference calls, WebEx and other group communication tools.

• Additionally, Executive Branch employees should not attend external work-related conferences, seminars or events. Alternatively, Executive Branch employees are encouraged to participate remotely.

• Executive Branch employees feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms should not come into work. Information available to date regarding COVID-19 indicates that the highest risk population includes older adults and individuals with serious chronic medical conditions. Employees in this risk group are encouraged to talk with their supervisors to review possible alternative work assignments.

• These actions complement additional precautions that have been undertaken in recent days including encouraging proper self-care and hygiene such as washing hands, ensuring bathrooms are stocked with hand washing materials and paper products, frequently cleaning touch points such as doorknobs, handles, elevator buttons and common area surface, and making cleaning products and sanitizers available in all Executive Branch workspaces.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has formed an Interagency Working Group comprised of health, human services, public safety and several other government agencies to develop continuity plans for COVID-19. This working group is broken down into three (3) subgroups that include:

• Planning Subgroup
• First Responder Subgroup
• Logistics Subgroup

These groups are tasked with developing strategies and coordinating the support effort as it relates to COVID-19.  This follows the Department of Public Health’s infectious disease task force that was stood up in January.

The Baker administration also issued updated guidance to members of the public. This guidance is posted on the Department of Public Health’s website, www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Statewide Conference Calls

Discipline-specific conference calls have been scheduled with various stakeholder groups and will continue regularly. (This list may not be inclusive of all coordination calls.)

• Hospitals
• Local Boards of Health
• Nursing/Long-Term Care Facilities
• Shelters and Local Housing Associations
• First Responders (Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Fire)
• K-12 Education
• Higher Education
• Mass Municipal Association
• Chambers of Commerce/Private Sector
• Courts

Stay Informed

In an effort to ensure you have good situational awareness and early guidance from DPH, all stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to visit the DPH website as updates and guidance changes frequently.  The link for DPH website can be found here: www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Planning Guidance

Below are hyperlinks from DPH’s website that provide specific guidance and recommendations for: (1) emergency responders and law enforcement, (2) businesses and employers, (3) elementary and secondary schools, and (4) colleges and universities. To access the hyperlinks hold “Ctrl” and click the link.

• Guidance for emergency responders and law enforcement click here.
• Guidance for businesses and employers click here.
• Guidance for elementary and secondary schools click here.
• Guidance for colleges and universities click here

Regarding continuity planning, employers should consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illnesses and lower the potential impact of COVID-19 in workplaces in the event of an outbreak by taking steps to:

• Reduce transmission among staff
• Protect people who are at higher risk for adverse health complications
• Maintain business operations
• Minimize adverse effects on other entities in their supply chains

All private and public sector agencies are encouraged to develop or update contingency plans to ensure they can continue to carry out essential functions regardless of the threat or impact. For guidance and more information on continuity planning visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/continuity-and-safety-planning-guidance

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Next Wave Impact – Where Latinos Get Funding

NOWaccount – Get Liquidity without Debt. 

Ondeck COVID-19 related Resource page

Opportunity Finance Network Mission-based lenders and business advising centers

Opportunity Fund – Financial Assistance for Small Business Owners Affected by COVID-19

PayPal – PayPal Working Capital Resources

Red Backpack Fund – COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Grants for Majority Women-Owned Businesses and Nonprofits

Regions Bank – Special Financial Assistance Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Shea Moisture Commerce Fund – Unsung Businesses Fund (Deadline 4/13), and Black Business Relief Fund (Deadline 4/15)

Social Capital Markets – Resources to Support Social Entrepreneurs During the COVID-19 Crisis

Venturize – COVID-19 Emergency Loans and Grants by State

Visa Foundation – Visa Foundation commits $200M to support women in small business

WeFunder –  Small Business Crowdfunding Program

Accion Serving the East Coast – Accion Launches COVID-19 Relief Program

American Express – Working Capital Assistance, and Waiving of Interest & Late Fees

Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs – ANDE COVID-19 Response and Resources

Bank of America – Bank of America Commits $100M in Support of Communities Impacted by Coronavirus

Business for All – COVID-19 Business for All Grants, and COVID-19 Business Resource Center

CASE Center at Duke University – #COVID-19 Capital Relief Resources

CIBC Bank – CIBC’s Entrepreneur Loan Program and EasyPath Financing

Crowdsourced – List of over 190 Investors who are actively investing despite COVID-19

Honeycomb Credit – Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan

Facebook $100M Small Business Grants Program and Grant Guide

GoFundMe – Small Business Relief Initiative and Fund

Goldman Sachs Commits $300 Million to Support Communities and Small Businesses

Google & Opportunity Finance Network – Grow With Google: Small Business Fund, and COVID-19: $800M+ to Support Small Businesses and Crisis Response

JPMorgan Chase $50M Philanthropic COVID-19 Investment

National Small Business Association (NSBA) – NSBA’s Frequently Asked Questions

LOCAL RESOURCES:

FLORIDA

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

Florida’s Microfinance Guarantee Program

Black Business Loan Program
The Black Business Loan Program provides loans, loan guarantees, or investments through Loan Administrators to black business enterprises that cannot otherwise obtain capital through conventional lending institutions but who could otherwise compete successfully in the private sector.

Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund
The Florida Business Loan Fund provides financing to assist businesses with resiliency efforts. The funds will address the current gap in available, affordable capital for businesses that can be used for inventory purchases, construction, working capital, equipment financing and more.

NEW YORK

COVID-19 Small Business Continuity Program – Emergency Grants: Local banks and community organizations have banded together to launch a new grant program in order to stabilize Capital Region small businesses. Learn more: https://mycommunityloanfund.org/covid-emergency-grants/

NYC Small Business Continuity Loan Fund

NYC Employee Retention Grant Program

New York Department of Small Businesses – WE NYC Small Business Resources

The New York Community Trustee – NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund for Nonprofits

New York Business Journal – What you need to know as you plan to bring employees back to the office post-Covid-19

PHILADELPHIA

• Philadelphia Business Journal – What will reopening look like for local businesses? Economic development officials say it could be costly (Video)
• Philadelphia Foundation and United Way of Greater Philadelphia – PHL COVID-19 Fund
• City of Philadelphia – Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund, Updates from the City of Philadelphia, Interim Planning Guidance, and City of Philadelphia Extends Property, Business Tax Deadlines
• The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia – Virtual COVID-19 Conversations: Office Hours with Rob Wonderling
• Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Latino Take-Out Weekend
  Registration/Inscripcion, and Help For Small Businesses/​Ayuda Para Pequeños Negocios
• Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council – Health and Safety Planning for Businesses
• Economy League of Greater Philadelphia – The Pivot Web Series
• Reinvestment Fund – Philadelphia Emergency Fund for Stabilization of Early Education (PEFSEE)
• Temple SBDC – Temple SBDC COVID-19 Resource Page for Small Businesses

State-Wide Resources

• Burlington County – Joint Small Business Loan Program
• Department of Community & Economic Development – Manufacturing Call to Action Portal
• Montgomery County Foundation – MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund
• Mt Airy CDC – COVID-19 Business Relief Fund
• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development – COVID-19 Resources for Businesses, Communities, and Local Governments
• Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers – SBA Emergency Loan Webinar: Process for Applying and FAQ’s
• The Business Center – Emergency Loans and Grants for Small Businesses
• The William Penn Foundation – Answering Questions on Grant Impacts of the Coronavirus Crisis & Information on Government Resources