Coronavirus (COVID-19) Breaking News Updates

Update:4/16/2020 at 3 p.m. —

On April 16, 2020, the SBA announced on its website that it would no longer accept applications for the PPP loan program. The SBA indicated that it maxed out available appropriations funding ($349 billion was originally allocated to the program under the CARES Act).  The announcement and additional information can be found on the SBA Website.

Update: 3/30/2020 at 3 p.m. —

Due to extraordinary demand, the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund from the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation will stop accepting applications at 5 p.m. Monday. Read more here.

Update: 3/30/20 at 12 p.m. —

Those who owe child support will not get their stimulus checks, or less of a check, depending upon how much is owed. Read more here.

Update: 3/23/20 at 5 p.m. —

Philadelphia Establishes COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund

On March 23, 2020, the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) announced that they had created a Small Business Fund designed to provide immediate fiscal relief to small businesses that have suffered negative economic consequences as a result of COVID-19.  The Fund will provide aid to businesses located in the City of Philadelphia in two forms: grants and interest-free loans.  The City of Philadelphia has committed $9,000,000 to endow the Small Business Fund. For more information about the program or to apply for relief, please visit: https://phila-uyims.formstack.com/forms/philadelphia_covid_19_small_business_relief_fund

Update: 3/23/20 at 4 p.m. —

Delaware Governor Issues Stay at Home Order

On March 22, 2020 Delaware Governor John Carney signed two amendments to his Emergency Declaration. The amendments close all non-essential businesses effective March 24, 2020 and order residents to stay in their home.

Update: 3/23/20 at 4 p.m. —

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Orders Non-Essential Businesses to Eliminate In-Person Workforce

On March 20, 2020, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed Executive Order 7-H. The Order goes into effect March 23, 2020, and instructs non-essential businesses to reduce their in-person workforce by 100%. Businesses can file for an exemption through the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development.

Update: 3/23/20 at 4 p.m. —

Pennsylvania State Police Plan to Enforce Restrictions on Pennsylvania Businesses

On March 22, 2020, the Pennsylvania State Police announced plans to participate in enforcement of the closure of non-essential businesses.

Update: 3/23/20 at 4 p.m. —

Philadelphia Issues Stay at Home Order, Governor May Follow

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a stay at home order for city residents. The order goes into effect March 23, 2020 and includes new restrictions on businesses. The new restrictions prohibit walk-in take-out orders from restaurants. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is expected to sign a stay at home order for Philadelphia and the surrounding counties shortly.

Update: 3/21/20 at 2 p.m. —

In a press conference today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced broad new restrictions on businesses across the state. All non-essential retail businesses will close at 9 p.m. tonight. The new restrictions include:

• • A new Executive Order (EO) directing nearly all New Jersey residents to stay at home.
  • All non-essential retail business closed to the public effective 9 p.m. tonight.
  • Businesses critical to response may stay open, including; groceries, pharmacies, medical marijuana, medical supply, gas stations, auto mechanics, banks, hardware, laundromats, printing and office supply, pet stores, supplies for young children, mail and delivery shops. Restaurants liquor stores and bars are only open for take out.
  • Construction, trucking, manufacturing may continue.
  • All businesses must move employees to work from home.
  • The new EO cancels all gatherings including weddings and parties.
  • A second EO, superseding all local orders.

For more information, click here.

Update:  3/21/20 at 2 p.m. —

The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections released guidance in response to Governor Wolf’s order to shut down construction sites in Pennsylvania. Additional time has been allowed for contractors to secure construction sites in-progress. Construction sites must now be shut down and secure by Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m.

L&I issues guidance on construction work following Governor’s March 19th order.

Update:  3/20/20 at 2 p.m. —

The Treasury Department announced that the tax filing deadline has been extended for all tax payers and businesses from April 15 to July 15. The new deadline will give millions of tax payers extra time to complete tax forms in light of the COVID-19 disruption. Friday’s filing deadline extension is in addition to the previous payment deadline extensions announced on March 17 and discussed in our article COVID-19: Due Date for Income Tax Payments Extended.

Update: 3/20/20 at 1:30 p.m. —

As of Friday morning, the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”) added Pennsylvania and New Jersey to its list of areas eligible for SBA Disaster Loans for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Applicants are encouraged to apply online for a disaster loan at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone, please call the SBA at 1‐800‐659‐2955 for assistance. Refer to our article for additional information regarding SBA Disaster Loans.

Update: 3/19/20 at 6 p.m. —

At just after 5pm on March 19, 2020: Governor Wolf ordered a statewide prohibition on the operation of businesses which are not “Life Sustaining.” This does not apply to virtual or telework operations (e.g., work from home), but all non-Life Sustaining businesses, unless otherwise exempt and regardless of whether such business is open to members of the public, shall be closed beginning on March 19, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. until further direction from the Governor. Businesses which do not comply with this order will be subject to enforcement actions effective March 21, 2020. Clarity on such enforcement actions is expected in the upcoming days.

Life Sustaining businesses which remain open shall continue to follow previously issued guidance by the Centers for Disease Control on social distancing practices and other mitigation measures. While not an exhaustive list, the following is a general overview of those businesses and industries which may continue to operate a physical location: natural resources and agriculture; manufacturing of food, chemicals, semiconductors and metals; durable and non-durable goods wholesalers; transportation and warehousing; utilities and telecommunications; healthcare and social assistance; and religious organizations. For a complete list of Life Sustaining businesses provided by the federal Department of Labor, click here. We note that the office of the Governor has indicated that it may ease the restriction of this order for certain businesses or industries which were otherwise excluded by the federal DOL.

Read our client alert on the steps a business should take immediately.

Update: 3/18/20 at 4:30 p.m. —

On Wednesday, Governor Wolf requested a disaster declaration from the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to provide assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses and eligible non-profits in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Small businesses seeking SBA assistance are advised to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development at https://dced.pa.gov/contact-us to report their situation. Refer to our article, “Lawmakers Prepare COVID-19 Relief for Small Businesses” for additional information regarding SBA disaster assistance for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Update: 3/17/20 at 7 p.m. —

The Treasury Department and the IRS announced an extension for the payment of federal income taxes, but as of now the filing deadline remains April 15. Further guidance is expected from the IRS. They have created a new section on the website that is “focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.”

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus

---

Update: 3/17/20 at 2 p.m.–

Further guidance was recently added to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) website regarding what is or is not a non-essential business. View their complete list below:

https://dced.pa.gov/resources/

---

Update: 3/16/20 5 p.m.–

Governor Announces Extensive Social Distancing Measures to Mitigate Further Spread of COVID-19

---

Update: 3/16/20 2 p.m.–

Philadelphia Mayor Orders Shutdown of Nonessential Businesses 

---

Update: 3/13/20 3 p.m.–

President Declares National Emergency

 

Additional News Resources:

Johns Hopkins Covid-19 tracker

Inquirer COVID-19 newsfeed

 

Check out our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force for all the news you need to keep your business healthy.