COVID-19 RESOURCES & BUSINESS UPDATES
Below are a few resources and tools that have been provided to answer questions about Covid-19 and your business. Many of the sites will continue to update the information so you may want to check back frequently.
COVID-19 Vaccine Employer Toolkit
mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/employer-toolkit/index.jsp
Stearns County Business & Non-Profit Program-Effective Jan. 11, 2021
business_nonprofit_grant_progam-jan_2021.pdf
Governor Walz Executive Order-Jan. 6, 2021
https://mn.gov/governor/assets/EO%2021-01%20Final%20%28002%29_tcm1055-462140.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0cuD0kcTH8nOvjf_i79cro2IHLw5a5dZiSYvcWEBQ1lT1Nt3mEuV0o2jc
COVID-19 Business Relief Payments-Dec. 2020
www.revenue.state.mn.us/covid-19-business-relief-payments
A Message from Stearns County Superintendents-Oct. 12, 2020
stearns_county_letter-superintendents.pdf
Stearns County CARES Act Application
https://co.stearns.mn.us/Law-Public-Safety/Emergency-Services/Coronavirus/CARES-ACT
Governor Walz Executive Orders
https://mn.gov/governor/news/executiveorders.jsp
Guidance For Cleaning & Disinfecting-Businesses & Home
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/pdf/Reopening_America_Guidance.pdf
COVID-19 Business Preparedness Plan Template
https://mcusercontent.com/b6ad8e63615464ec742a470e8/files/b8aa31c5-746d-4d31-9a45-1f46d4eaa16a/COVID_19_business_plan_template_1_.pdf
Employer Business Plan
https://mcusercontent.com/b6ad8e63615464ec742a470e8/files/3e322a3b-6bfa-4019-b75f-f5a3a4fe74ef/employer_preparedness_plan_requirements_checklist.pdf
Guidance on Executive Order 20-40 & Businesses Reopening (Apr. 23)
https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/safework/non-critical/
Information and Resources for Employers-MN DEED
https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/employers/
Information for Self Employed and Independent Contractors
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program – provides weekly benefit payments for self-employed people, independent contractors and others who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid19-pua.jsp?fbclid=IwAR1K9yhGEdPDy-8rO-eRdXfqqu2t9M5X-hXplVvOvCHJ6dhusJk8WvyRODQ
Stearns County-Workplace Guidance
These documents below provide direction on masks, social distancing, and mitigation in the workplace.
Social Distancing
Workplace Masks
Workplace Mitigation
COVID-19 MN Unemployment Benefits
https://mn.gov/uimn/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
MN Chamber of Commerce Covid-19 Business Tool Kit
https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/covid-19-business-toolkit
MDH Social Distancing Guidance
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/action.html
Business Guidance *please note that it is recommended that employers NOT require a doctor’s note to miss work OR return to work due to the overwhelming demand on healthcare at this time.
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businesses.html
SBA Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that COVID-19 disaster loans are now available for Minnesota small businesses. According to DEED:
This program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private nonprofits.
These loans can go toward working capital to meet needs including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The nonprofit rate is 2.75%.
These loans have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years.
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
COVID-19 Symptoms & Testing
Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Below is the link to the Center for Disease Control and their symptom checker.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html
COVID-19 Vaccine Employer Toolkit
mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/employer-toolkit/index.jsp
Stearns County Business & Non-Profit Program-Effective Jan. 11, 2021
business_nonprofit_grant_progam-jan_2021.pdf
Governor Walz Executive Order-Jan. 6, 2021
https://mn.gov/governor/assets/EO%2021-01%20Final%20%28002%29_tcm1055-462140.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0cuD0kcTH8nOvjf_i79cro2IHLw5a5dZiSYvcWEBQ1lT1Nt3mEuV0o2jc
COVID-19 Business Relief Payments-Dec. 2020
www.revenue.state.mn.us/covid-19-business-relief-payments
A Message from Stearns County Superintendents-Oct. 12, 2020
stearns_county_letter-superintendents.pdf
Stearns County CARES Act Application
https://co.stearns.mn.us/Law-Public-Safety/Emergency-Services/Coronavirus/CARES-ACT
Governor Walz Executive Orders
https://mn.gov/governor/news/executiveorders.jsp
Guidance For Cleaning & Disinfecting-Businesses & Home
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/pdf/Reopening_America_Guidance.pdf
COVID-19 Business Preparedness Plan Template
https://mcusercontent.com/b6ad8e63615464ec742a470e8/files/b8aa31c5-746d-4d31-9a45-1f46d4eaa16a/COVID_19_business_plan_template_1_.pdf
Employer Business Plan
https://mcusercontent.com/b6ad8e63615464ec742a470e8/files/3e322a3b-6bfa-4019-b75f-f5a3a4fe74ef/employer_preparedness_plan_requirements_checklist.pdf
Guidance on Executive Order 20-40 & Businesses Reopening (Apr. 23)
https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/safework/non-critical/
Information and Resources for Employers-MN DEED
https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/employers/
Information for Self Employed and Independent Contractors
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program – provides weekly benefit payments for self-employed people, independent contractors and others who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid19-pua.jsp?fbclid=IwAR1K9yhGEdPDy-8rO-eRdXfqqu2t9M5X-hXplVvOvCHJ6dhusJk8WvyRODQ
Stearns County-Workplace Guidance
These documents below provide direction on masks, social distancing, and mitigation in the workplace.
Social Distancing
Workplace Masks
Workplace Mitigation
COVID-19 MN Unemployment Benefits
https://mn.gov/uimn/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
MN Chamber of Commerce Covid-19 Business Tool Kit
https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/covid-19-business-toolkit
MDH Social Distancing Guidance
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/action.html
Business Guidance *please note that it is recommended that employers NOT require a doctor’s note to miss work OR return to work due to the overwhelming demand on healthcare at this time.
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businesses.html
SBA Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that COVID-19 disaster loans are now available for Minnesota small businesses. According to DEED:
This program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private nonprofits.
These loans can go toward working capital to meet needs including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The nonprofit rate is 2.75%.
These loans have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years.
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
COVID-19 Symptoms & Testing
Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Below is the link to the Center for Disease Control and their symptom checker.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html