The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses.
Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. The United States Chamber of Commerce has developed this excellent Emergency Loan guide and checklist for Small Businesses. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or ACT) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO POST THIS NOTICE IMMEDIATELY! These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
For FAQ on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice please click here. SRBX is working with a coalition of construction and business associations to leverage resources and information during the COVID-19 crisis, and our coalition partners at the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce are tracking up-to-date information on federal, state and local government assistance programs for businesses. Resources for Employers regarding Federal Assistance, Potential Business Closure, Banking Access and Financial and Tax Assistance can be accessed at https://rapidresponse.metrochamber.org/employers/
California Contractors Insurance Services Shares:
Contracts: Protecting your Construction Business During COVID-19 Teaser: Despite the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, California’s construction industry continues to move forward building much-needed housing, remodeling commercial spaces and maintaining habitability of homes. With county Shelter-in-Place orders varying wildly and a Statewide mandate that is as clear as mud, contractors are searching for best practices to protect themselves and their employees from legal ramifications for job delays and material supply chain interruptions. To read more click here. California Contractors Insurance Services Shares: Reviewing your Municipal or Government Contract in the Era of COVID-19 Mandates Teaser: When contractors bid and win construction projects for Municipal, State or Federal Government work, they are beholden to the issued contract provided by the governing body of their project. These contracts can be upwards of 80 to 100 pages and contain project specifications, insurance and bond requirements, and legal ramifications for late or unfinished work. As California continues to roll out more clarification on “Shelter-in-Place” orders and guidelines for who is considered essential, contractors on different infrastructure and government construction projects are left with questions about how to stay compliant with issued mandates and signed contracts. To read more click here. Wednesday, March 25th the SRBX Legal Committee hosted a webinar for "Coronavirus Construction Industry Update." To view the powerpoint slides, click here. To view the recorded broadcast click here for part 1, and click here for part 2.
Governor Newsom’s March 19, 2020 Stay at Home order (California Executive Order N-33-20) specifies construction is an essential industry in the State of California. For companies seeking language for documentation for their employees commuting back-and-forth to jobsites, a template is provided here.
Construction Exemption from Stay at Home Order
On March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an order for all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence. Businesses and organizations that provide critical infrastructure for the state are exempted, including health care and public health, public safety, food and agriculture and media. This past weekend, the California Office of Emergency Services provided additional guidance on exempt sectors. Guidance on construction activity was included in this document (page 11 in the link). Specifically: “Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction)” “Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of construction sites and construction projects (including those that support such projects to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications; and support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste) (SRBX emphasis added) Please note updates to this list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce may be issued periodically. SRBX will provide our industry with necessary guidance, as warranted. While SRBX understands the importance of keeping jobsites moving forward during these difficult and unprecedented times, we are working with industry partners to encourage Cal OSHA and Federal OSHA to provide reasonable and uniform guidelines for our member companies who encounter days missed by employees due to illness related to COVID-19 (View letter here). We will continue to work with state and federal agencies to assist them as they develop more specific guidance regarding reporting.
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