Reopening and Funding Questions

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Here is an overview of the rollbacks for business and other guidelines from the Governor. I will be sending additional details as more information is available from Jefferson County.

Reopening Colorado Business:
· Retail will be able to open for curbside delivery at first, with phased-in public openings with strict distancing precautions.
· Non-critical offices will be able to re-open at 50% capacity with strict social distancing precautions (more shifts, etc.)
· Large workplaces are advised to have symptoms and temperature checks.
· Telecommuting should be maximized
· Elective Surgeries will once again be available with strict precautions to ensure adequate PPE and the ability to meet critical care needs.
· Child Care facilities can reopen but with strict precautions
· Personal services like hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors, dog grooming, personal training, etc. can reopen but with strict precautions
· House showings can begin in person, but open houses will still be prohibited.
· Restaurants and bars will still be closed to in-person dining — at least at first — possible phasing in of dine-in mid-May
· Schools will remain closed with online learning

Personal Guidelines:
The general population will no longer be ordered to stay at home; but encouraged to stay at home except when absolutely necessary.
· People are still strongly advised to wear face coverings in public and still socially distance
· Gatherings over 10 people will still be banned
· Sick people should still avoid going to work
· Everyone should still avoid unnecessary travel
· And most importantly, older Coloradans and vulnerable populations still need to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.

The Bottom Line:
Right now, the state estimates that under the statewide stay-at-home order, compliance with social distancing rules has resulted in about a 75% to 80% level – good job Colorado! Coloradans can maintain a level of social distancing at about 65% with the new “Safer at Home” by following the common sense guidelines listed above and through bolstered testing and containment efforts.


TELEPHONE TOWN HALL
We’re Moving from “Stay at Home” to “Safer at Home”. What does that mean for Jefferson County? Join me for a Telephone Town Hall meeting TONIGHT at 5:45p with our Jefferson County Commissioners for an update on COVID-19.
You can find details on how to join, here.

EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR PPP
The emergency funding bill to add funds to the PPP & EIDL has been passed in the Senate and will hopefully be passed in the House and signed by President Trump either Thursday or Friday of this week. This bill includes:

Additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program
$250 billion is a direct addition to PPP
$60 billion is set-aside for community banks
$30 billion for loans made by Insured Depository Institutions and Credit Unions that have assets between $10 billion and $50 billion; and
$30 billion for loans made by Community Financial Institutions, Small Insured Depository Institutions, and Credit Unions with assets less than $10 billion.

Additional $60 billion for SBA Disaster Loan Program
$50 Billion for the SBA EIDL Loan Program
$10 billion for the Emergency EIDL Grant/Advance; up to $10,000

Additional $75 billion for reimbursement to hospitals and healthcare providers

$25 billion for necessary expenses to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests

Log on to GoConifer.com for more information.

A lot of changes happened this week. Here is a summary for you...

1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) has issued a public health order extending the state’s Stay-at-Home order in Jefferson County through May 8, 2020, with a key revision to support non-Critical businesses. This extension will help protect our community from COVID-19 as we continue to work aggressively to reduce the high rates of the virus in our county and across the Denver Metro Area.
Click here for the release.

2. NEW FUNDING AVAILABLE - DO NOT DELAY - APPLY MONDAY!
The second round of funding for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) have been approved. Applications will be open on Monday morning. I encourage you to prepare your application and reach out to your banker first thing Morning. Do not wait. These funds will go fast!

3. UNEMPLOYMENT - Friday the chamber hosted a Q&A regarding unemployment. Here is a summary of resources from that meeting.
Unemployment Insurance Answers for Businesses - If you want to learn more about Unemployment Insurance Employer Services or have questions about your Colorado Unemployment Insurance (UI) account call 303-318-9100, website www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/businesses-employers .

General Unemployment Insurance Information Related to Coronavirus
Up-to-date information for employers, employees and FAQ’s about Colorado Unemployment Insurance programs and other resources.
www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/informatio...esources-coronavirus

Colorado Unemployment Insurance Employer Services website - Information about layoffs, labor laws, incentives and tax credits, audits, posting jobs on Connecting Colorado and more. www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/businesses-employers

Work Share Program - Alternative to laying off employees and unemployment insurance if an employee is still able to work part-time.
www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/layoffassistance

Businesses Responding to Job Separation - How and why it’s important to respond to the Unemployment Insurance employee job separation notices.
www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/node/20121

Unemployment Insurance Guide for Employers
www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Employer_Guide.pdf