Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 10:00 AM

Dear GOA Optometry Business Owners,

We have received several questions from our members regarding the new state and federal programs for small business owners in these critical times. The GOA remains dedicated to providing you with optometry-related developments as we receive them and maintaining transparency in a time of uncertainty.

Below we have listed links small business owners may find helpful when filing for either state and/or federal disaster loans. 

Federal Links:

U.S. Chamber OF Commerce Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist: https://www.loeffler.senate.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/US_Chamber_of_Commerce_COVID-19_PPP_Small_Business_Guide.pdf

The US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: The Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act: https://www.loeffler.senate.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/Sen_Small_Biz_CARES_Act.pdf

State Links:

Georgia Department of Labor: Filing for Unemployment During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis: https://dol.georgia.gov/gdol-covid-19-information

Georgia Department of Labor: COVID-19 Employer FAQs: https://dol.georgia.gov/document/covid-19/covid-19-employer-faqs/download

The AOA is holding a webinar on Tuesday March 31 at 9 p.m. ET to provide doctors with an update on new changes for sick leave and family medical leave act (FMLA) requirements during the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency. The webinar will also review financial support options for doctors to help practices through this challenging time.

I would like to ask you to please check the  GOA COVID-19 Resource Center daily as we continue to post updates pertinent to your practice. The GOA staff and I are monitoring information as it becomes available on both a national and state level. After updates are shared via email, they will be posted to this page for your convenience.

Providing you with the education, information and resources you need to serve your patients remains our number one priority. The GOA staff joins me in our commitment to providing you with vital information during this time of uncertainty.

 

Thank you for all that you are doing for your patients, for your community, and for our profession during this public health emergency. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.