Daily Update – 90
Executive Order Gives Ramps Up Enforcement of Social Distancing, Other Safety Protocols
In an effort to encourage compliance with State guidelines, the Governor announced that he will be issuing an Executive Order today to strengthen State enforcement of reopening rules and guideline violations. The Executive Order will empower the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to immediately suspend or revoke the liquor licenses from bars and restaurants that do not enforce social distancing protocols. Businesses could also face an immediate shutdown order for not following guidelines. Restaurants and bars will also be responsible for managing social distancing guidelines on the sidewalks immediately in front of their business.
New York City is on track to enter phase two on Monday (6/22). The global health experts the State uses to determine reopening eligibility are reviewing New York City data, but the Governor said businesses should plan on entering phase two on Monday. A definitive answer will be given during tomorrow’s briefing.
New York City specific guidelines for these industries can be found here.
Hudson Valley Region Private Sector Job Count Down 20.1 Percent in May
For the 12-month period ending May 2020, the private sector job count in the Hudson Valley fell by 165,400, or 20.1 percent, to 656,400. Losses occurred in leisure and hospitality (-58,700), trade, transportation and utilities (-34,200), educational and health services (-18,400), professional and business services (-16,900), other services (-16,400), natural resources, mining and construction (-12,300), manufacturing (-6,700), financial activities (-1,100), and information (-700).
The May 2020 over-the-year job losses continues to reflect the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. At 656,400, private sector job count has reached its lowest May level since 1995.
Within the region, the Orange-Rockland-Westchester labor market area’s private employment sector declined the fastest year-over-year, down 21.1 percent. They were followed by the Dutchess-Putnam MSA (-18.4 percent), the Kingston MSA (-16.1 percent), and Sullivan County (-12.1 percent).
See the Labor Market Profile Hudson Valley – MAY 2020
PPP Interim Final Rule (IFR)
In addition to the new loan forgiveness applications, late Tuesday afternoon, June 16, 2020, the SBA issued its nineteenth Interim Final Rule relating to the Paycheck Protection Program which is set to be officially published on June 19, 2020. This IFR serves to amend previously-issued IFRs and clarifies the effect of the changes in PPP loan forgiveness eligibility created by the Flexibility Act, which was passed on June 5, 2020, and has been a source of many questions in the days that followed.
Tuesday’s IFR also clarified the amount of owner compensation that would be forgivable under the Flexibility Act. Previously ‒ despite being able to borrow 2.5 months (10 weeks) of 2019 net income ‒ the amount of owner’s compensation that would be forgivable was limited to 8 weeks’ worth of 2019 net profit (up to $15,385) for an 8-week covered period.
Read more from Associate Member PKF O’Connor Davies
Back to Work” A Complementary Legal Seminar Provided by Greenwald Doherty LLC
- Monday, June 22, 2020, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
- Where: Zoom Network Webinar
- Cost: No Fee for Members
Joel Greenwald, a labor attorney and partner in the Firm Greenwald Doherty, LLC joins The Council of Industry to discuss the legal issues related to your employees returning to work including:
- How do you avoid discrimination and wrongful death claims?
- What legal issues and safety concerns are confronting you now as you bring employees back?
- Can, or should, you be taking employees’ temperatures and/or requiring COVID-19 testing?
- What staffing levels do you need to be at for potential PPP loan forgiveness?
- How should you handle continued staff reductions?
- What will businesses need to do to accommodate disabled employees?
Guidelines for Colleges And Universities to Open in the Fall
Yesterday the State issued guidelines for colleges and universities to allow some residential and face-to-face programming for the fall semester. The Governor stressed that more data is needed between now and September to make a definitive determination, however, they want to make sure colleges and universities start to prepare their plans. The State is asking institutions to develop reopening plans that attest to meeting the guidelines, which must be filed with the State. These plans should consider strategies for reopening, monitoring, containment, and shutdowns.
New York State Insurance Fund Has Useful COVID-19 Safety Guide & Video
The phased-in reopening of the New York economy is well underway and NYSIF has provided a COVID-19 Safety Guide for New York Businesses that provides the guidance you need to reopen and remain open. It includes comprehensive industry-specific guidelines for construction, manufacturing, home healthcare, retail, clerical/office, restaurant/bar and personal care.
Webinar Recording Now Available: Dealing with Supply Chain Disruption – Strategies to Help Your Firm Manage Risk and Maintain Operational Flexibility in Your Supply Chain.
The Council of Industry hosted a webinar on Wednesday, June 10th Featuring Clarkson University’s Dr. Dennis Yu, Associate Professor of Operations & Information Systems and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs & Research, And John Mead, VP at Totalogistix.
They discussed strategies to help your firm manage risk and maintain operational flexibility in your supply chain.
National Safety Council: Employers Must Prioritize Mental Health as Traditional Operations Resume
The National Safety Council is urging employers to protect employee mental health as workplaces reopen and be mindful that they may see a spike in substance abuse. The council encourages employers to create a culture of safety around mental health and offers recommendations for worker resources and supervisor training.
The pandemic has heightened the risk of mental health distress by destabilizing workers’ finances, jobs and child care arrangements, NSC said. Furthermore, the social isolation necessitated by COVID-19 can lead to substance use disorders, with those who previously experienced such disorders “even more vulnerable due to decreased accessibility to treatment, recovery supports and harm reduction services.”
Workforce Development Institute (WDI) Providing Grants to Mid-Hudson Manufacturers
Our good freinds and partners at WDI continue to offer funding to our members. Through a unique grants program, WDI makes investments that lead to workforce development and economic growth. This program is an “interactive” one, where WDI Regional Directors work directly with a business, union, or other entity to understand the issue at hand, and then help develop a response.
In 2019, WDI funded a total of 316 projects that are projected to impact 12,622 workers across New York State.
Want to know more? Contact Mary Jane Bertram, Regional Director
