COVID-19: What Our Members Need to Know
Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce Response to the Coronavirus
The Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce continues monitoring and responding to the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are in direct communication with numerous sources, including local and state emergency services, to assure we are receiving current and accurate information and will endeavor to share information with our members in a timely manner as it becomes available to us. We remain committed to protect the health and well-being of our members, employees, and all of our Nye County citizens and its more vulnerable populations.
As part of our close partnership with various community partners, government agencies and emergency services, we will be sharing information and updates as it becomes available regarding support and resource services which may be available to our businesses in Nye County. We will be sharing this information on our website, our Facebook page and in newsletters and email blasts to our membership. We will also be including various links to resources to assist you in getting the information you need and that includes current and accurate health related status reports and information.
On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance that fully-vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor locations. Please review the full CDC guidance for information regarding when a mask may still be needed. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/.../vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
After the May 1 transition to local authority, each county now has the authority to establish social distancing requirements. Nevada residents should consult their county’s local mitigation plan for more information on social distancing guidelines in their county. Click here for the latest county plans: https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/.../covid-task-force.../
Nevadans are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Go to NVCOVIDFighter.org or call 1-800-401-0946 for the latest information on appointment and walk in availability. Link: https://www.immunizenevada.org/nv-covid-fighter
Nevadans 12 years of age and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Link: https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/.../5.13.21-Release...
We recognize these have been unprecedented and uncertain times and wish to assure you we understand your concerns and recognize the potential impact to our members and small businesses.
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories were able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. SBA has resumed processing EIDL applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 and will be processing these applications on a first-come, first-served basis. SBA will begin accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. Link to SBA: U.S. Small Business Administration .Small Business Administration phone number: 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Also, please utilize the links below to see Corona-virus workplace guidance and loan information for small businesses:
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
In addition to this, and separate from the SBA loans, and as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress has passed various Payroll Protection Programs. This is a program intended to provide American small businesses with eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans. Also, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was signed into law, which expands the period of time in which businesses can use their PPP funds as well as ease restrictions on the use of funds. Key provisions include: 1) extends the time period in which borrowers must spend their PPP loans from 8 weeks to 24 weeks; 2) lowers the percentage of loan proceeds that must be spent on payroll from 75 to 60 percent; 3) extends the loan coverage period from June 30 to December 31, 2020; and 4) for the portion of the loan that isn’t forgiven, the measure extends the loan term from 2 years to 5 years. The PPP program is still taking applications until May 31, 2021. For more information about the Paycheck Protection Program - FAQs for Small Businesses:
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
Additionally, the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation is advising that should an employee need to file for unemployment insurance, Nevada’s Unemployment Insurance Claim Filing System should be used rather than visiting a DETR office.
- Employees should visit http://ui.nv.gov/css.html
- Employers should visit: http://ui.nv.gov./ess.html.
For all parents/guardians of students of the Nye County School District who need food service assistance, please visit: https://www.nye.k12.nv.us/page/food-service
We encourage you to shop local, continue to support business re-openings and also consider to utilize take out and delivery services, and support your local businesses!
A Declaration of Emergency is still in effect and COVID-19 is still considered a threat in our State and many Nevadans may choose to continue using masks based on their and their families’ personal health concerns. Be aware that requirements from one business to the next may vary depending on corporate policies. So a friendly reminder, while both the CDC and the State have begun to slowly open, and mask usage and spacing requirements have become more flexible (if you have received your vaccinations), we wish to once again remind everyone to continue to use common sense, continue to be mindful of “social distancing” and please let’s all try to show the better side of humanity in our interaction with one another, and be kind and respectful both to our neighbors and our local businesses as they attempt to navigate this ever evolving situation and make choices based on their individual health needs and/or corporate polices. Thank you for your continued support. Be well everyone and remember we are all in this together; “This too shall pass”.
Sincerely,
Jenney Sartin
Chief Executive Officer
Additional Resources and Information:
https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/coronavirus/
https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/13/what-is-social-distancing/
https://www.nyecounty.net/1066/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information
