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All – Today the Governor announced a second round of grant money for certain business.  Beginning on October 21, 2020 certain small businesses who did not receive a grant in the first round of grants are eligible to apply for the second round of funding.   The awards will not exceed $12,000 and are first come, first served.  There are other grants available for charitable organizations, centers of worship, livestock producers, [...]

On August 11, 2020 the Omaha City Council passed an emergency ordinance mandating masks when indoors at a premises open to the general public unless an individual maintains a minimum of six feet of separation or social distance at all times from anyone who is not a member of the individual’s household. It will be in place until September 15, 2020.  The definition of premises open to the general public [...]

The Small Business Stabilization Grant program has been extended until this Friday July 17, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. and is accepting new applicants (previous applicants are expected to be notified of the award status this week). Here is a press release put out by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development: DED Reopens Small Businesses Stabilization Grant Program with Expanded Eligibility They anticipate they can award up to 14,000 more grants [...]

The CDC has issued more comprehensive guidance and guidelines in support of President Trump’s plan for reopening the United States.  Included, in Appendix F, is specific guidance for a number of industries including child care programs, schools and day camps, employers with workers at high risk, restaurants and bars and mass transit administrators.  The guidance includes information regarding scaling up operations, safety action, monitoring and preparing and closing. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf [...]

The SBA has published a Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application.  The document provides instructions for completing the form and the required calculations.  The instructions note that borrowers may complete the application as directed and submit it to their lender (or the lender that is servicing the loan) or they may also complete the application electronically through their lender. Link: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/3245-0407%20SBA%20Form%203508%20PPP%20Forgiveness%20Application.pdf If you have questions about the above information, please [...]

The CDC has provided guidance in the form of a flow-chart to help employers make opening, or reopening, decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The guidance notes that it is important for employers to also check with the state and local health officials (and other partners) when determining the appropriate actions in light of the specific circumstances of their community. Download flow-chart here:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/workplace-decision-tree.pdf Full article here: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/14/health/coronavirus-decision-trees-cdc-wellness/index.html If you have [...]

How are churches to conduct their services now that the governor has eased the COVID-19 restrictions?  From May 4 through May 31, the rule limiting gathers to ten people will be relaxed for churches in Nebraska.  The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has issued guidelines for how churches should conduct services while still practicing social distancing. Changes to Church Services Churches are to conduct the services in such [...]

LINCOLN – Today, at his daily coronavirus press briefing, Governor Pete Ricketts announced that less restrictive Directed Health Measures (DHMs) will take effect in three additional regions in southern Nebraska on May 18, 2020.  These regions are the South Heartland, Public Health Solutions, and Two Rivers districts. The Governor also issued guidance to resume baseball and softball in June, with enhanced physical distancing measures in place for the safety of athletes, [...]

Congress replenished the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) by passing a new law in April that became effective on May 4, which added $60 billion to the program.  The SBA reopened its EIDL portal on May 4, 2020, for agricultural businesses to apply for grants and low interest, long-term loans. Agricultural businesses are defined as businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, and [...]

OSHA continues to provide information and best practices for employers in dealing with COVID-19 in the work place. OSHA has issued several “alerts” offering guidance for employers in the retail sector, in construction, in the manufacturing industry and in the package delivery industry.   COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce OSHA is committed to protecting the health and safety of America’s workers and workplaces during these unprecedented times. The agency [...]

LINCOLN – Today, during his daily COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Pete Ricketts announced regulatory changes to give restaurants the flexibility to sell packaged foods to customers.  Under normal circumstances, restaurants cannot sell packaged foods—like loaves of bread or cartons of eggs—that do not have nutrition labels.  The Governor explained that the intent of the change is to give Nebraskans greater access to food, while also helping restaurants add another revenue stream [...]

LINCOLN – This afternoon, Governor Pete Ricketts issued an executive order to expand childcare options for working Nebraska families and to provide relief for childcare centers participating in the State’s Child Care Subsidy Program. The order suspends two regulations governing the State’s Child Care Subsidy Program.  First, the Governor’s order allows licensed child care providers within the program to bill the State for days when a child is absent from care.  [...]

I know we’ve all had a fair share of questions regarding what is an “essential business” that would be allowed to remain open if the Governor issued a shelter in place/shutdown order.  While Gov. Ricketts has said he doesn’t intend to issue such an order, as we know, things change.  The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the Dept. of Homeland Security put together guidance on the essential critical [...]

The DOL published regulations providing guidance on paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  This temporary rules provides critical guidance on a number of topics related the FFCRA including conditions that a business under 50 may be excluded from the provisions of the law. Link to rules: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/Pandemic/FFCRA.pdf If you have questions about DOL regulations, please give Senior Counsel Attorney, Eric Tiritilli a call at 402-397-7300.