Thursday June 24, 2021
New York Ending COVID-19 State Disaster Emergency on June 24
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York will end the state disaster emergency declared on March 7, 2020 to fight COVID-19. Given New York's dramatic progress against COVID-19, with the success in vaccination rates, and declining hospitalization and positivity statewide the state of emergency will expire after Thursday, June 24.
 
Federal CDC guidance will remain in effect, which includes masks for unvaccinated individuals, as well as all riders on public transit and in certain settings, such as health care, nursing homes, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters. State and local government health departments will still be able to ensure mask rules and other health precautions are adhered to in those settings.
 
Since March of 2020, a variety of actions had been taken by executive order to assist in the rapid response to the pandemic by state agencies, local governments, hospitals, and businesses by both temporarily suspending or modifying laws as well as utilizing temporary directives. Hospitals were able to add space and staffing, meetings were authorized to occur virtually, and various deadlines were extended to accommodate a changed landscape.
Alcohol to-go Will End as State of Emergency Expires
The State Liquor Authority on Wednesday confirmed the regulations allowing alcoholic beverages with takeout orders will lapse alongside the COVID-19 emergency rules on Thursday.  

Licensees please be advised that with the ending of our state of emergency and the return to pre-pandemic guidelines, the temporary pandemic-related privileges for to-go and delivery of alcoholic beverages will end after June 24. (Via Twitter) — NYS Liquor Authority (@NY_SLA) June 23, 2021

25 Million in Child Care Scholarships for Essential Workers
New York State will provide $25 million in child care scholarships to all essential workers starting June 23, 2021. 

Essential workers include first responders such as health care providers, pharmaceutical staff, law enforcement, firefighters, transportation workers, food delivery workers, grocery store employees and others. This is the first in a series of new investments to support working families and the child care industry through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act.

Child care costs will be covered for essential staff whose income is less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level (or $79,500 for a family of four) and will be paid up to market rate for each region statewide for children aged six weeks through 12 years. Families currently receiving child care scholarships under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act are strongly encouraged to also apply for this new funding opportunity. It is important to note that the CARES child care scholarships will end on June 28; those currently receiving CARES scholarships will need to reapply.

To streamline the application and funding process, parents will apply for funding through a single online application, and providers will be paid directly on behalf of the parent. The online application can be submitted starting June 23, 2021, until funds are depleted. Applications will be processed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to apply for the funding, please click here

Essential workers can use the funding to pay for their existing care arrangement, or for a new child care provider. Workers who need child care can contact their local child care resource and referral agency to find openings. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services will administer the funding.
Our Area Continues to Outperform State on Employment
May unemployment numbers from the State Labor Department continue to show our area outperforming the state at large, while also providing a welcome comparison to unemployment levels in May 2020.

Statewide, unemployment for May 2021 was at 6.9% compared with 15.7% a year earlier.

For our area counties the numbers are:
  • CLINTON at 4.6% for May 2021 compared to 12.5% in May 2020
  • ESSEX is at 4.8% versus 12.9%
  • FRANKLIN is at 4.8% versus 12.3%
  • HAMILTON is 4.6% versus 10.9%
  • WARREN is 4.6% versus 13.3%
Quebec Switching to Green Alert Level on Monday
The entire province of Quebec will switch to the green alert level as of Monday, the least-restrictive level under its pandemic alert system.

And starting Friday, people who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to gather indoors without distancing or wearing masks.

Premier François Legault announced the changes on Tuesday, saying the province is exactly where it hoped to be by now under its reopening plan.

“The situation continues to improve in Quebec,” Legault said, stressing the need for people to remain cautious and continue getting vaccinated.

The province-wide switch to the lower alert level comes as the number of new COVID-19 cases and other pandemic indicators continue to steadily decrease throughout Quebec.

Several regions across the province have already been lowered to the green level, but Monday’s change will affect its most densely populated areas and biggest cities, including Montreal and Laval.
Small Business Recovery Grant - WEBINAR
The North Country Chamber of CommerceTiconderoga Area Chamber of Commerce and Empire State Development are hosting a webinar on the New York State’s COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program which is now accepting applications. Small businesses, micro businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations are invited to attend a webinar about this valuable Program.

 
Attend this webinar to learn more about the Small Business Recovery Grant Program; items to be discussed include:
  • Eligibility requirements,
  • How the grant is calculated,
  • Documentation needed and much more!
 
The presentation will last approximately 40 minutes, with a question and answer period following. Registration is required.

Date & Time:
  • Date: June 25th
  • Time: 10:30am
  • Cost: FREE

For eligibility requirements and more information regarding the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Program, click here.

If you have questions please call Sue Matton at 518.563.1000 or email her for further information.
Gen Z's LinkedIn: How companies are Using TikTok to Recruit 
TikTok has in the past year become a major source of career advice for its predominantly Gen Z user base, with career coaches and recruiters on the platform generating a significant following.

This has come at a time when the oldest ranks of Gen Z are beginning to graduate from university and college and unemployment is uncommonly high among the cohort, largely due to the pandemic. The unemployment rate among Canadian students aged 15 to 24 was 23.1% as of May, according to Statistics Canada, well up from 13.7% in May 2019.

It’s perhaps unsurprising TikTok has become young people’s platform of choice for job-hunting tips. While 48 per cent of 18- to 29-year-olds — an age group encompassing elder Gen Zs and younger millennials — in the U.S. reported having a TikTok account as of April, just 30% said they have LinkedIn, according to the Pew Research Center.

“Gen Z feels like TikTok is their platform,” said Rob Cancilla, a Chicago-based recruiter who’s amassed a significant following on TikTok for his career advice videos and resume review services, and is also senior director of search strategy at Hunt Club, a recruiting firm for venture capital-backed startups.

The app itself is preparing to launch a pilot called TikTok Resume, which will allow a select group of companies — including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Meredith Corp, Shopify, Boston Scientific, Sweetgreen, Alo Yoga and the NBA — to post job openings on an in-app web page, and users to submit their video resumes. The page will also feature examples of standout TikTok resumes and creators who focus on career advice. The company has not said when the feature, which is currently in pilot testing, will begin accepting resumes.
NYS HERO ACT
The NYS Hero Act introduces new health and safety obligations for employers. It also requires NYS Department of Labor to issue industry-specific standards for employers to follow.
 
Join us for a session with attorney Jaci Kelleher to learn about:
  • Timeline for implementation of the Hero Act
  • Provision of notice to employees on Hero Act related policies
  • New requirements for safety committees - roles, responsibilities, and paid time to participants
  • Standards for civil litigation for violation of the Hero Act
  • Requirement to establish an airborne infectious exposure plan
  • And more!

Date & Time:
  • Date: June 30th
  • Time: 10:00am
  • Cost: FREE

Speaker:
  • Jaci Kelleher, ESQ from Stafford Owens
  • Jaci Kelleher is an attorney at Stafford, Owens, who regularly practices in the area of employment law and representing employers.
Sponsored by:
Thank you to Catamount Consulting for their support, which allows us to keep this webinar free to the community.
The North Country Chamber of Commerce has created a comprehensive list of resources to navigate state and local requirements. Check out the home page for details. There is also a series of webinars available for businesses to help educate and provide answers to common questions.
Today's Dose is Generously Supported By:
QUICK LINKS:
  • NYS Vaccination Updates: Official Site for making an appointment to get the COVID-19 Vaccine.
  • Forward NY: Official State Website for opening procedures and guidelines.
  • NYS Travel Advisory: Stay up to date on the latest NYS Travel Advisory Updates.
  • Looking for Supplies: If your business is looking for hard to find protective products, we have created a list of businesses offering hand sanitizer, gloves, wipes, masks and other items.
  • SCORE: Small business owners are resilient and can power through this challenging time, with SCORE by their side.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000