CHAMBER NEWS: March 23, 2020
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Business is not usual at this time because of the COVID-19 event
and the quickly evolving changes to our everyday personal and work life. Following is information compiled from several sources that we hope is helpful to you.
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Governor John Bel Edwards and experts will be live on
Louisiana Public Broadcasting tonight at 7 PM to discuss
the evolving pandemic and Louisiana's response.
Also available online at 7 PM by clicking
here
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Stay-At-Home Order Issued by Governor, Supported by
Parish President
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Yesterday,
Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a Stay-At-Home order for Louisiana residents in response to the
growing number of cases of coronavirus in Louisiana. The Governor's order takes effect today, Monday, March 23, at 5:00 p.m. and runs through Sunday, April 12.
The Order makes three distinctions regarding business closures:
- It closes specific types of businesses, including malls, places of amusement, and all personal care and grooming services. Still, these closed companies may engage in necessary business activities such as payroll, cleaning, and routine maintenance and upkeep.
- It designates businesses that may remain open pursuant to federal guidelines for "essential" businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, gas stations and restaurants for takeout and drive-through orders. For the full list of essential industries and occupations, click here. For additional guidance from the Governor's office, click here.
- It authorizes all businesses not specifically required to close or listed as "essential" to reduce operations to essential employees, put measures in place to ensure minimal contact with customers and follow the guidelines on social distancing and limiting groups to no more than 10 people.
For answers to some frequently asked questions about the Governor's order, click
here.
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Parish President Mike Cooper issued the following statement following Governor John Bel Edwards' statewide Stay-At-Home order:
“Governor John Bel Edwards announced earlier today a statewide, mandatory Stay-At Home order effective at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2020. As St. Tammany Parish President, I want to make it clear that I fully support the Governor’s actions, and we will fully comply with his order. I will sign and record a parishwide Executive Stay-At-Home Order tomorrow,” said St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper.
“I, like Governor Edwards, am asking for maximum compliance from our citizens. We are urging all of our residents to comply, for the safety, health and welfare of our citizens. Our community has already taken aggressive steps to slow the spread of the virus. We are at a critical time in this public health emergency and we need to do more to slow the spread so we can begin to see a flattening of the curve. This will allow our medical resources to keep up with the positive cases we are told to expect. Again, I am asking all St. Tammany residents to be good citizens, cooperate with this order, and make sure your family does the same. We must work together to begin to see a slow of the spread of this virus.”
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Changing to Meet New Demands
GNO, Inc., the regional economic development organization, reports on local companies reinventing themselves to meet coronavirus needs and help their revenue.
Examples include:
- Distillery Porchjam is switching its entire distillery operation over to produce hand sanitizer.
- Furniture-maker GoodWood NOLA has become a hub for an array of local craftspeople now making face masks and other medical personal protective equipment.
- Scale Workspace, and tenants Robert Forbes 3D, Entrescan, and the New Curiosity Shop, are prototyping 3D-manufactured versions of face masks and other medical equipment.
They are working on an initiative to help local companies pivot their operations. The Chamber will keep you updated on this information.
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Unemployment Tax Deadline Extended
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Employers are still required to file their first quarter 2020 wage and tax reports with the state by April 30, but payment of the associated taxes can be deferred without penalties or interest until June 30.
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State Tax Deadlines Extended
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The Louisiana Department of Revenue has extended the state income tax deadline to July 15 and the state sales tax deadline to May 20.
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Apply for Facebook Small Business Grants
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Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help small businesses. Sign up to receive more information.
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Need Work? Reduced Hours?
- GNO, Inc. has compiled a running list on WorkNOLA.com of companies looking to fill immediate labor needs. Click here.
- Walmart is hiring over 3,500 workers in Louisiana. Click here.
- If you have lost your job or have reduced hours, you may be eligible for Medicaid. You can apply online at MyMedicaid.la.gov or by calling 1-888-342-6207.
- Tri-Parish Works provides information for employers and job seekers impacted by COVID-19, as well as a link to apply for unemployment. Click here.
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Need to Talk? HOTLINE may help.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress, fear and anxiety about the uncertainty surrounding this public health emergency, there is a special
Keeping Calm through COVID Hotline you can call. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.
Call
1-866-310-7977 (24 hours a day/ seven days a week). All calls are confidential.
More information is available on the Louisiana Governor's website. Click
here.
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For up-to-date health information, visit these Chamber member websites:
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Been Too Busy to Cook...
Help a Local Restaurant
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Spread the word to restaurants you know to post information about their restaurant on the St. Tammany Eats Facebook page. AND, spread the word to everyone you know to go to the Facebook page and support local restaurants!
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Chamber staff can be reached at the following numbers:
- Lacey Osborne, President and CEO: (985) 273-3004
- Meredith Wright, Director of Membership: (985) 273-3002
- Megan Haggerty, Director of Business Development: (985) 273-3008
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