Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Scott and Washington Counties COVID-19 Positivity Rate Moves to Red

The Indiana Health Department announced today that Clark, Floyd and surrounding counties are currently at a Red level. These counties have a point score of 3.0 or higher, determined by combining a 7-day positivity rate of 15 percent or greater and 200 or more weekly cases per 100,000 residents. This means the potential for community spread is very high

When a county is in the red metric, these requirements remain in effect until the metric has returned to orange or lower for two weeks. Local officials may impose additional restrictions.

Restrictions include: 

• The maximum size of social gatherings is 25 people.  Local health departments may not
  accept or approve plans for events that request more attendees or participants.
• Face coverings are required for all Hoosiers
• The Indiana Department of Health will convene local public health officials, local
  health care providers, elected officials, school leaders and other key stakeholders
  to discuss actions that will be taken. State agencies will provide further support
  upon request
• Evaluate the source of positive tests, undertake targeted testing, quarantine
  and isolation
• Vulnerable populations should remain isolated. Social and holiday gathering
  participation is not advised
• All business capacity must adhere to strict social distancing guidelines; curbside
  pickup is preferred
• Local officials may consider limiting hours for the operation of bars, nightclubs
  and restaurants
• Community recreational sports leagues and tournaments may continue with
  participants, required personnel, and parents/guardians and their minor children
  only
• Senior center activities are suspended
• Hospitals, long-term care and other congregate settings may impose visitation limits
• Reduce the number of people in common areas and break rooms at one time
• K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular activities may continue but attendance is
  limited to participants, support personnel and parent/guardians plus their minor
  children. All students and attendees must be social distanced and wear face
  coverings
• College and professional sports may continue with participants, support
  personnel and family members. A local health department may approve a plan
  for fan attendance of up to 25 percent capacity

For more information, click here.

Monday, January 4, 2021

Guides to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021

Passed December 2020

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (COVID Relief Package) Guide: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) &  Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Loans 

• In December 27, 2020, new legislation was enacted to extend the life of a vital program available to Main Street businesses: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  This new legislation creates a second round of PPP loans for eligible businesses, makes new businesses eligible for a first-time PPP loan (as well as a second-draw loan), and makes other key programming changes.

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (COVID Relief Package) Guide: Direct Recovery Rebate Payments to Americans

• On December 21, 2020, Congress passed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which, in addition to funding the federal government until the end of Fiscal Year 2021, also included several provisions to address the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Among these provisions is a second round of Economic Impact Payments—direct recovery rebates paid by the federal government to U.S. residents.
• Please note that, at the request of President Trump, Congress is currently debating legislation to raise the base amount of second round of Economic Impact Payments from $600 to $2000 per individual. This guide will continue to be revised to reflect these developments.

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (COVID Relief Package) Guide: Support for Non-Profit Organizations

• Approved by Congress on December 21, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 20211 provides non-profit organizations assistance by expanding eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, permitting a second draw from PPP funds for particularly impacted organizations, and continuing increased incentives for charitable giving.

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (COVID Relief Package) Guide: Unemployment Insurance Provisions

• On December 21, 2020, Congress passed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which, in addition to funding the federal government until the end of Fiscal Year 2021, also included several provisions related to unemployment benefits for a wide variety of workers.
• This guide contains information on programs such as:
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (COVID Relief Package) Guide: Food Security and Agriculture-Related Provisions

• On December 21, 2020, Congress passed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which, in addition to funding the federal government until the end of Fiscal Year 2021, also included several provisions to address the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
• The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, builds on the successes of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in continuing to provide a number of food and agriculture-related benefits to Americans.2 Specifically, the bill provides $13 billion in continued funding for agriculture-related assistance programs.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

NEW: Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans

The U.S. Chamber has created a new Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans  with the latest information and answers to FAQs about the changes that have been made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Program as part of the end-of-year pandemic relief package Congress has passed.

Click here to view the U.S. Chamber’s new Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans which we will continue to update as more information becomes available.

Click Here to View the Guide