Last updated: Oct. 26,2020 (Please note: This page will be updated monthly, or as major events warrant.)

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China, and reported by the World Health Organization on Dec.31, 2019 and has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including the U.S. Around the globe, the Coronavirus is receiving heightened attention for infecting tens of thousands of people. The Centers for Disease Control is also issuing regular updates through this web site.

Ohio is now one of the areas impacted by its arrival and it’s resulted in large-scale closures and a call by state officials to self-quarantine. Today is a day the likes of which we have never seen. But we’ve been tested before and have emerged stronger after each challenge. The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce has no doubt we will emerge from this situation and, in time, be more resilient as a community because of it. So, to help, we’ve compiled resources to help your business, employees, and the community cope with this unprecedented time. This list is by no means comprehensive, but let us know if there is something that should be added.

Want to suggest an addition or change? Email Mike Throne at [email protected].

Community Support

Click here for local online stores and carryout and delivery services!

 

 

ONLINE: Please visit www.Coronavirus.Ohio.gov for the most up-to-date information from the Ohio Department of Health.

PHONE: For any questions you have about COVID-19, please call 1 (833) 4-ASK-ODH from the hours of 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA: @GovMikeDeWine @LtGovHusted @OHDeptofHealth

DAILY UPDATES: Governor DeWine is holding regular press briefings at about 2 p.m. once week to deliver the most recent updates as well as give updated guidance for the state’s response. These press events are carried live at www.OhioChannel.org. (Please note that with the popularity of these sessions you may have trouble accessing them immediately, but they are archived on the Ohio Channel website.) The Ohio Channel also has a YouTube page that carries the briefings.

Click here for all of the Governor’s Bulletins, Official Announcements and Health Department Directives.

COVID-19 information from the state:

The recently revamped 2-1-1 line is a tremendous resource for people who have questions about virtually anything in Ross County.

Small Business Support

On Oct. 23, the State of Ohio announced the creation of a $125 million relief fund for small businesses with $500,000 allocated for each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Click here for more details.

Click here for the video of the state’s announcement.

On Oct. 20, the Chamber – in conjunction with the City of Chillicothe and Ross County – announced the creation of a $200,000 small business relief fund. Click here for information and click here for the application (open until Oct. 30). We’re also doing a virtual FAQ meeting on Oct. 27 and will post the link to the video after it’s done.

SBA disaster loan fact sheets:

The state has also created the Office of Small Business Relief, which will help small business owners across the state navigate the resources available in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you missed our Zoom seminar on COVID-19 small business resources, you can view the session here, and check out the slides (PDF).

Additional information can be found at OhioSE, formerly APEG, and their COVID-19 resource page. The OSU South Centers Business Development Network is available as well. The CDC also has advice for businesses and employers, including some interim guidance on business. The US Chamber also has some great information on Combating the Coronavirus.

Impacted Employee Support

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has a page dedicated to those whose jobs are impacted by COVID-19 related work stoppage.

Congress recently passed, and the President signed into law, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which helps provide emergency paid sick leave for employees. Here’s an article that will help explain what’s in the law.

If you are interested in job retraining, we’ve compiled a list of options available in Ohio.

Guides for the public:

  1. Tracking Coronavirus Unemployment in Ohio – https://www.moneygeek.com/coronavirus/unemployment-statistics-forecast/us/oh/
  2. How to Pay for Coronavirus Healthcare
  3. Your Rights If You Have to Miss Work Due to Coronavirus
  4. How Small Business Can Stay Afloat During Coronavirus

Unemployment & Businesses

Click here for Unemployment FAQs!

 

 

The Governor also announced some relief for businesses regarding unemployment:

  • Because they do not want to penalize individual employers for the impact of this outbreak by increasing future taxes, the costs of these additional benefits will be mutualized.
  • ODJFS will also waive employer penalties for late reporting and payments for the next quarter to assist employers impacted by a lack of staff availability.

The state’s SharedWork Ohio site can offer a way to equally cut back worker hours and use unemployment compensation to fill the gap.

Ohio Dept of Jobs and Family services has employers and employees go here… http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm

Employers, please distribute this form to employees laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic to expedite their claim process: http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/num/JFS00671/pdf/

Careworks also shared this FAQ sheet from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. For questions about COVID-19’s effect on BWC, you can email [email protected] for more information.

Responsible Reopen Ohio guidesheets for business sectors

Signage to place in your businesses as you reopen can be found here.

Director Dr. Amy Acton’s Dine Safe Ohio order can be found here.

Looking for guidance on best practices and requirements for specific business sectors? Click here.

Responsible protocols to open business can be found here.

Federal Response

Additionally, Congress acted to pass legislation to support businesses and families affected by the disruption. Here is an excellent overview by the US Chamber.

Information sheets:

From U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers’ office, here is some specific guidance on sick leave and unemployment insurance:

  • Sick Leave:
    • Businesses with fewer than 500 employees are required to provide 14 days of paid sick leave to employees affected by COVID-19.
    • Additionally, under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) expansion, COVID-19 affected employees are entitled to up to three months paid leave at two-thirds of the employee’s pay. Including
    • Businesses with more than 500 employees do not have to provide 14 days of paid sick leave
    • Businesses with fewer than 500 employees will receive a 100% tax credit for both types of leave up to capped levels, credited against quarterly payroll taxes
    • Additionally, the Secretaries of Treasury and Labor will have regulatory authority to provide flexibility so small businesses under 50 employees are not unduly harmed
    • Affected employees include those with COVID-19, under quarantine, caring for someone affected, and with children whose school has closed
  • Unemployment Insurance:
    • Provides $1 billion in 2020 for emergency grants to states for activities related to processing and paying unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, under certain conditions
    • $500 million would be used to provide immediate additional funding to all states for staffing, technology, systems, and other administrative costs, so long as they met basic requirements about ensuring access to earned benefits for eligible workers
    • Full Federal Funding of Extended Unemployment Compensation for a Limited Period. For states that experience an increase of 10 percent or more in their unemployment rate (over the previous year)