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House Passes and President Signs $2 Trillion Relief Package
3/27/2020
- $130 Billion for hospitals
- $150 Billion for state & local governments
- $500 Billion that can be used to back loans and assistance to companies
- $350 Billion to aid small businesses
- $600 per week add-on to state unemployment benefits
- $1,200 for each lower and middle-income adult and $500 per child
- $24 Billion for agriculture stabilization
- Ban on stock buybacks to any company receiving government loans through the term of the loan plus one additional year
- Payroll tax deferral of a share of 2020 payroll tax
- $30 Billion for education funding
Governor Tate Reeves Signs Statewide Executive Order to Stop Spread of COVID-19
3/25/2020
On Tuesday, March 24, Governor Tate Reeves signed a statewide executive order to limit gatherings and close dine-in restaurants.
Until April 17, Mississippi residents shall avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more.
There are some exceptions, including most healthcare facilities, grocery stores, manufacturing facilities, and any operation deemed an essential business or operation. “Essential business” is defined within the order and covers a wide range of manufacturing, utility and agricultural related operations.
The executive order also suspends dine-in services at restaurants and bans visits to nursing homes and retirement facilities until April 17.
At this point, Governor Reeves says he does not plan to make a “shelter in place” order until state and federal health officials advise him otherwise.
City of Vicksburg Declaration COVID-19 Phase II Civil Emergency
3/22/2020
PROCLAMATION THAT A CIVIL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID -19)
AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE, PHASE 2
MEASURES SUCH AS A CURFEW, ADJUSTED BUSINESS CLOSING HOURS, LIMITATIONS ON BUSINESS SERVICES, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND LIMITATIONS ON GATHERINGS ARE HEREBY ORDERED FOR THE NEXT 14 DAYS BEGINNING AT NOON ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020
WHEREAS, pursuant to §§45-17-1 through 45-17-13 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, entitled Civil Emergencies, authorizes the Mayor to proclaim that a Civil Emergency exists defined as any natural disaster or man-made calamity resulting in the death or injury of persons to such an extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Civil Emergencies law authorizes the Mayor to issue such orders as he deems necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has spread across this nation is a worldwide pandemic and as of March 22, 2020, the Mississippi Department of Health has reported 207 positive confirmed cases and 1 death in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi is the only municipality in Warren County, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Health and the CDC have advised all citizens to practice social distancing which is staying at least 6 feet apart from one another; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States, the CDC, the Governor of Mississippi and the Mississippi Health Department have recommended that gatherings of more than 10 people be avoided; and
WHEREAS, extraordinary measures related to the spread of the Coronavirus are necessary for the health, safety, welfare and good order to protect the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE FLAGGS, JR., MAYOR OF THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME PURSUANT TO §§45-17-1 THROUGH 45-17-13 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED CIVIL EMERGENCIES, HEREBY ISSUE THIS PROCLAMATION THAT A CIVIL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE CITY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE, DO HEREBY ORDER PHASE 2 MEASURES FOR THE NEXT 14 DAYS BEGINNING AT NOON ON MARCH 23, 2020 AS FOLLOWS:
- Social distancing should be enforced throughout the City – stay at least 6 feet away from others to the extent possible.
- A city-wide curfew will be strictly enforced from 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Persons should not be on the public street or in any public place unless it is for traveling to or from work or for medical personnel in the performance of their duties. First Responders and law enforcement are exempt from this curfew.
- During this emergency, funeral services are recommended to be held on the property of a funeral home or in the City of Vicksburg Auditorium. Regardless of the location, all funeral services shall be at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., with a strictly enforced 50-person limit, for the next 14 days. Use of the City Auditorium will allow space for social distancing and will be available for funerals at no cost during this civil emergency. Any repast or other meal will not be allowed at the City Auditorium.
- Most places that have public assembly such as theaters, churches, places of entertainment, and other places where the public gathers from time to time have already adopted policies of closing or limiting the number of persons allowed inside at the same time. There should not be gatherings of more than 10 people at an event. None of the abovementioned places shall allow gatherings of more than 10 people for the next 14 days.
- Bars, nightclubs, lounges, taverns shall close, except to the extent that such establishments may only provide take-out, pick-up, delivery, or drive-through services for food as allowed by law. Restaurants and private clubs shall close dine-in services, but may provide pick-up, curbside service, delivery, or drive-through services for food as allowed by law. There shall not be more than 10 employees and 10 customers inside abovementioned businesses at any one time. These establishments must close by 11:00 p.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m.
- Liquor stores shall provide curbside delivery only and have no more than 10 employees inside at any one time.
- Barber and beauty shops and nail salons/spas shall not have more than 10 employees and 10 customers inside the business at any one time and shall close at 6:00 p.m.
- Meals for seniors (65 and over) will be available at the Salvation Army on Mondays, March 23 and March 30, and Tuesdays, March 24 and March 31, for curb-side pickup, and at the Jackson Street Center for curb-side pickup on Wednesday, March 25, and the Vicksburg Convention Center Wednesday, April 1 – Friday, April 3. Curb-side pickup will be available at these locations between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Photo ID confirming 65 or older must be provided.
- The measures detailed in this Proclamation (other than those referring to places that are venues of public assembly) apply only to the specific businesses listed herein.
- Violations of this Proclamation will be subject to misdemeanor prosecution pursuant to Sec. 45-17-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, and Sec. 1-9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi and up to a $1,000.00 fine.
THIS PROCLAMATION SHALL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 AT 12:00 NOON AND CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF 14 DAYS.
SBA Includes Warren County In Declaration of Disaster For The Region
3/20/2020
“SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus”
March 20, 2020 / Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Vicksburg Warren Chamber of Commerce announced today that Warren County was included in a Declaration of Disaster authorized by the Small Business Administration for the State of Louisiana. The declaration includes all counties in Louisiana and border Mississippi counties including Warren.
Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred” said Administrator Jovita CarranzaCarranza in a press release issued earlier today.
According to Pablo Diaz, President & CEO of the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce, the loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the impact the ongoing crisis is having on the business.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 21, 2020.
COVID-19 Conference Call with Chamber Membership
3/19/2020
Agenda
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Covid-19 State Cases Update
3. Covid-19 Testing Guidance, recommendations & Protocols
4. Small Business Administration Low Interest Loan Program
5. COVID-19 Legislative Update
6. Comments on Economic Impact to local business.
7. Questions / Closing
Notes
COVID-19 STATE CASES UPDATE
Total number of cases in the State is 50 (confirmed ) in 14 counties. The closest to us are in Hinds (6), Madison (1), and Copiah (2). Emergency Operation Center at the State is at level 1.
COVID-19 TESTING GUIDANCE, RECOMMENDATIONS & PROTOCOLS
Employers must develop their own procedures to monitor and screen their employees. Examples of actions taken by some employers include: 1) Checking every employee temperature every morning as they come to work. 2) Working from home for non-essential employees 3) Other.
Anyone that suspects they might have contracted the COVID-19 should report it and call their family doctor. Any employer that identifies an employee with the symptoms, should encourage their employee to call their family doctor. The family doctor will screen them and test them for the common flu and other respiratory potential issues and if, and only if, the doctor believes it pertinent, he/she might refer the patient to be tested for COVID-19 at one of the local testing centers. Please remember that it is not helpful for people to come to the ER or directly to hospitals or testing centers before consulting with their family doctors. The minimum symptoms that must demonstrated in order to be recommended for COVID-19 are a minimum fever of 100.4, chest congestion, and coughing, among others.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOW INTEREST LOANS STATE OF MS UPDATE
Governor Reeves has officially asked for a declaration of emergency to the SBA. Once the declaration is issued, that will free up the SBA (EIDL) Economic Injury Disaster Loan program to be used by Small Businesses in Mississippi. Small businesses can request up to $2M to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. An email with the forms to be filled and a link to the online application has been sent to all chamber members. We will send a follow up email as soon as the declaration has been issued so that members can apply for the loan, if they determine it necessary. We are also sending Chamber members an email to a link that will help them determine if they qualify as a small business under SBA guidelines. The link will open a table called “ SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARDS BY NAICS INDUSTRIES”. Open the link and scroll down the page. If you are in doubt, just go ahead and fill out and submit your loan application. We understand from the State SBA that over 98% of businesses in MS qualify as small businesses.
COVID-19 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Congress has passed HR 6074, an $8.3B measure to fund the development of a vaccine for COVID-19. Congress approved Saturday and the Senate approved Wednesday HR 6201. The President signed the legislation into law Wednesday night. The law is very new and we are not ready to explain all the details but we have asked May & Company to coordinate with the Chamber and set up a follow up conference call to discuss the details of the law and its fiscal, tax, and labor regulation effects on our local business community. HR 6201 is Called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and provides an expansion of the medical leave act of 1993, an emergency paid sick leave package, and tax credits for employers that have to pay the paid sick leave, the family paid leave, and the medical leave imposed upon them by the bill itself. Employees are eligible for two weeks of sick leave if they work for a company with less than 500 employees to either quarantine, seek COVID-19 diagnosis or for preventive care related to COVID-19. Employees are also eligible for two weeks of paid sick leave at no less than two-thirds their regular pay rate to care for a family member with COVID-19 or to care for a child whose school or daycare has closed as a result of Coronavirus concerns. Businesses with less than 50 employees can be exempted from providing workers with paid emergency leave when the imposition would jeopardize the viability of their business. Companies with more than 500 employees are excluded from the paid leave mandate. The law goes into effect within 15 days from yesterday.
U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS:
The Trump Administration working on a 1.2 trillion dollar package to support the economy. Senator Hyde Smith and Senator Wicker are supportive of the proposal. The proposal would include two rounds of direct payments to Americans totaling $500B, 50B lending fund to support the airline industry and 150B for “other severely distressed sectors of the economy. It will also include a 300B fund for small business interruption loan program to support small businesses to cover payroll costs for employees. The Mississippi Legislature Suspended the Session until April 1, 2020. The House voted to suspend deadlines for passing legislation and approved a measure authorizing local governments and school districts to provide leave with pay to employees. The bill to suspend the session and the measure to authorize paid leave for local and school district employees was taken by the Senate Wednesday morning and it was passed.
Governor Tate Reeves recently informed the business community that his administration is working diligently increase access to testing centers and COVID-19 tests. He said he is coordinating with the White House on these efforts. The Governor also announced Thursday at 10:00 a.m. that all public schools will remain closed until April 17th, 2020.