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Coronavirus
Guidance for Your Business
As the impact of the Coronavirus swells, we are compiling existing resources and opportunities to help small businesses throughout Greater Newport during this crisis. We also encourage you to visit the state health department website for local information.
We are updating this page frequently so please keep checking back for the latest information.
Connect Greater Newport is a resource for the business community throughout Newport County and Bristol County. If you need additional assistance please contact us at 401-314-0329 or email engage@connectgreaternewport.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the governor declare a state of emergency?
This declaration enables Rhode Island to access additional resources to respond to Covid-19. These resources include access to federal aid.
Why did municipalities declare a state of emergency?
This declaration allows for a more effective response to the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis by temporarily suspending purchasing policy rules to allow quick response and recovery action, as deemed necessary.
Why aren’t all businesses impacted equally by restrictions and closures?
Decisions are made based on the CDC guidelines for community mitigation. Actions are guided by local characteristics of disease transmission, demographics, and public health and healthcare system capacity.
How will the recently passed stimulus package help businesses?
Restrictions & Closures Impacting Business
Business owners should contact the Department of Business Regulation at 401-462-9500 with any questions about restrictions and closures relating to their business.
Critical Business Determination Request
Submit your business to be evaluated as a critical business: https://dbr.ri.gov/
Close Contact Businesses
(Including but not limited to spas, salons, and gyms)
Will close all in- person operations effective 5pm March 23rd.
Public Events
Rhode Island has restricted groups, meetings & gatherings of more than 5 people.
Recreation & Entertainment Facilities
(Including but not limited to theaters, bowling alleys, sporting events)
Will close all in-person operations effective 5pm March 23rd.
Nonessential Retail Businesses
No in person operations effective March 30th. Click here for a complete list of essential and nonessential retail businesses.
Food & Drink Establishments
No on-premise consumption. Establishments with food licenses can offer pick-up, drive through, and delivery.
Large Retailers & Grocery
New capacity and cleaning requirements must be implemented by 5:00pm on March 26. Click here for guidelines.
Health Care Facilities
Visitation policies may be in place. Check the health care provider or hospital website for information about visitation or other safety protocols.
Oral Health Care Providers
No non-essential or non-urgent dental care.
Schools & Child Care Facilities
Schools will remain closed. Some Child Care Facilities may reopen under new emergency regulations. Providers should contact the RI Department of Human Service for more information.
Business Resources
New Business Regulation
Governor Raimondo signed an executive order, effective Saturday April 18th, requiring employees in customer-facing businesses to wear a cloth covering their face. Although not required it is recommended that all workers wear cloth face covers. Businesses are also required to post signs requiring customers to wear face masks. The Department of Business Regulation will do spot checks to ensure businesses are complying.
More information, updates, and executive orders can be found here:
Unemployment, Temporary Disability Insurance & Temporary Caregiver Insurance
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For COVID-19 related claims, DLT will waive the seven-day minimum amount of time that claimants must be out of work to qualify for TDI/TCI benefits.
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For individuals under quarantine, DLT will waive the required medical certification.
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Gig workers, contract working, business owners, self employed and those who do are not typically eligible can now apply for unemployment benefits.
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The CARES Act $600 weekly unemployment compensation boost will be made available in the coming days and will be retroactive to the week ending 4.4.20. No need to reapply for this benefit.
Questions or Assistance: Call 401-462-2020 or email dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov
Tax Filing & Payment Extension
The federal government is providing 90 additional days to pay income taxes due, up to $1 million in taxes owed. During this deferral period taxpayers will not be subject to interest and penalties.
The tax deadline for paying taxes due has been extended from April 15th to July 15, 2020.
Utility Service Payment Extension
The RI Public Utilities Commission has directed all electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission to cease certain collections activities, including service terminations for nonpayment. This moratorium extends to May 6 for residential and non-residential customer accounts.
Health Insurance: HealthSource RI Special Enrollment Period
A special enrollment period (SEP) is now available through April 30th Use “COVID-19” as your reason for an SEP when filling out the online application. Call 1-855-840-4774 for help.
Additionally, anyone who has lost their benefits due to unemployment has 60 days to enroll.
Child Care for Employees of Critical Businesses
In partnership with Governor Raimondo and the state of Rhode Island, care.com is offering three months of free, premium access to Rhode Island residents. In addition. Care.com is enabling Rhode Island residents to provide needed child care for critical frontline workers. In many cases, these caregivers are willing to volunteer their time at reduced or no costs.
Rhode Island Child Care for Hospitals
The Boys And Girls Club, Greater Providence YMCA, Children’s Workshop, Children’s Friend and Learning Brook will offer on-site care for children of essential workers at some hospitals.
The Boys & Girls Club of Newport has 40 child care spots available for critical care workers. Child care will be available from 8:30am-5:30pm. Click here to learn more.
Gift it Forward: Supporting Small Businesses
An online resource developed to make it easier for Rhode Islanders to support local small businesses.
The Gift it Forward site features:
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Business registration: Small business owners can submit information on how Rhode Islanders can purchase gift cards from their business.
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Community nominations: Nominate local businesses to be included in the gift card database.
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Corporate giving: Larger companies interested in supporting small businesses can submit their contact information through the site and the Gift it Forward team will work to connect them with a business in need.
Free Tech Support
Connect Greater Newport is partnering with CommerceRI to provide free Tech Support to businesses. Greater Newport businesses can sign up by clicking below or reach out directly to Ashley Medeiros.
Rhode Island Superior Court Business Recovery Plan
The court will provide supervised protections for Rhode Island businesses so they can remain operational, access new working capital, and pay debts. Through the use of a non-liquidating receivership model the court will keep a business and its assets intact. The court will appoint a receiver to oversee the preparation of an operating plan for businesses in the program until new working capital can be established.
Funding
Microenterprise Stabilization Grant Program
The Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development in partnership with local municipalities has launched the microenterprise stabilization grant program. This program is designed to assist small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and left out of federal stimulus programs to-date. The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to qualifying microenterprises. Funds may be used for working capital to cover business costs, such as rent, staffing, utilities.
SBA Disaster Loan
Rhode Island has been issued a disaster declaration from the Small Business Administration. This declaration enables the U.S. SBA to offer low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Disaster Loan FAQ can be found here.
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
SBA Express Bridge Loans
Businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender can access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance
Small business owners can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
Corporate Response
Many companies, banks, and organizations are offering free or reduced cost resources for businesses to adjust to new needs brought on by the pandemic.
Best Practices
H.R.6201 — 116th Congress (2019-2020) Families First Coronavirus Response Act
This bill responds to the coronavirus outbreak by providing paid sick leave and free coronavirus testing, expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits, and requiring employers to provide additional protections for health care workers.