COVID-19 resources for businesses and employees

As our community responds to the spread of COVID-19, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber wants businesses to be able to implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring continuity of operations.

While many organizations have pandemic procedures already in place, the resources below can help organizational leaders better understand the implications of COVID-19.

DISCLAIMER: Resources are provided as information only and should not be construed as medical or legal advice. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), or are experiencing symptoms of the disease, call your doctor/medical professional. We suggest that you consult an attorney if you have legal questions related to COVID-19, as the links below should be treated as a resource only. 

COVID-19 Resources for Businesses/Employers/Employees

Chamber Virtual Town Hall Recordings:

• March 23 Tele-Town Hall with Health Experts 
• March 24 Tele-Town Hall with Congressman Tom Cole, Mayor David Holt and Legal and Financing Experts
• March 25 Tele-Town Hall with Congresswoman Kendra Horn 
• April 1 Tele-Town Hall with Senator James Lankford
• April 3 Tele-Town Hall on Small Business Funding Options
• April 8 Tele-Town Hall with Senator Jim Inhofe

Resources for consumers:

• Under Oklahoma Statute Title 15, Chapter 20, Section 777.4, no person for the duration of a declaration of emergency by the Governor of this state or by the President of the United States and for thirty (30) days thereafter shall sell, rent, or lease, or offer to sell, rent, or lease, for delivery in the emergency area, any goods, services, dwelling units, or storage space in the emergency area at a rate or price which is more than 10% above the rate or price charged by the person for the same or similar goods, services, dwelling units, or storage spaces immediately prior to the declaration of emergency. If you recognize any price gouging, please report it to ConsumerProtection@oag.ok.gov. 

Guidelines for managing employees who have been sick with the virus:

• According to CDC guidelines, employers should not require a positive COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manner. Read more CDC recommendtations for managing your sick leave policies.

Small Business/Nonprofits Financially Impacted:

• The Oklahoma City Council approved an unprecedented $5.5 million emergency relief program for local small businesses on Tuesday, March 31. Apply online from April 6-17 at OKCSmallBizHelp.com.
• 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. View more information about the Paycheck Protection Program from the SBA.
• View a list of Chamber-member banks and credit unions that are participating in the Paycheck Protection Program.
• The SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is now open for businesses and nonprofits in the state of Oklahoma. Apply online or call their customer service line at 1-800-659-2955. They are experiencing high volumes of traffic and the site might be slow. Non-peak hours are 7:00PM-7:00AM EDT. Some users are experiencing issues using Chrome. Please use an alternate browser - like Edge or Internet Explorer.
• View the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's guide to applying for an SBA loan for answers to frequently asked questions. 
• eBay launched "Up & Running," an accelerator program specifically designed to help retailers without an e-commerce presence transition to selling online, pledging up to $100 million in support for small businesses across North America. Through the program, eBay will give new businesses a free basic eBay store for three months. Set up your store.  

Get Access to Discounted Products and Services from Chamber Members

• Members of the Chamber offering their products or services at a discounted rate during this time can be found on the Chamber's member news section.
• To upload information about your discounted product or service, Chamber members can follow the instructions at OKCChamber.com/howto. 

Updates from utility providers:

• Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) is suspending all disconnections for nonpayment for the next 30 days (effective 3/16/2020). Read the update from OG&E
• In order to lessen any financial hardship the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have on customers, Oklahoma Natural Gas is temporarily suspending disconnects due to nonpayment through April 15. Read the COVID-19 update from ONG
• Cox Communications is taking multiple steps to maintain services provided to customers and the community while ensuring the safety of our employees and customers. Learn more.
• Learn what AT&T is doing for its customers across wireless, internet and video, as well as helpful tools and resources for technical care. Read their updates.

Changes to the deadline for filing federal tax returns:

• The federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.
  
• For details, see the IRS news release IR-2020-58 and Filing and Payment Deadlines Questions and Answers.

Changes to the deadline for ad valorem tax payments in Oklahoma County:

• Due to the hardships and other issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in our state and nation, County Treasurer Butch Freeman will waive all penalties and interest on the 2nd half payment of the 2019 ad valorem tax payments if remitted to the County Treasurer by April 30, 2020. Read the announcement.

Employees looking for work:

• Updates on unemployment insurance, American Job Centers, companies hiring, resources, and other workforce needs from OklahomaWorks
• The US Census Bureau needs enumerators all across the state starting in April
• SYNC3 is hiring 40-60 work-from-home positions a week to help with restaurant demand

Parents looking for education resources:

• OETA is collaborating with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to provide in-home learning opportunities for students. The goal is to bring parents, students and teachers together with content and curriculum to meet educational needs while schools are closed due to coronavirus. Learn more. 

Planning Tools:

• COVID-19: Implications for Business from McKinsey & Company
• COVID-19 HR and Employee Operations from LifeLabs Learning
• Pandemic Planning from the Department of Homeland Security
• Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Preparedness Planning for Businesses from the Department of Homeland Security
• Preparedness Planning for Families from the Department of Homeland Security

Resources and Guidelines:

• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Labor & Employment Alert from GableGotwals
• Handshake-Free Zone Downloadable Sign
• Prevention Flyers and Posters from OU Medicine
• COVID-19 Updates from Employers from The National Law Review
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the CDC
• COVID-19 Guidelines for Businesses/Employers from the Oklahoma State Department of Health
• Protecting Workers during a Pandemic from OSHA
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 from OSHA
• Business Continuity Plan from the Department of Homeland Security
• Coronavirus – What Employers Need to Know – ESI
• Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the U.S. Chamber Foundation
• Coronavirus Response Toolkit from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Steps Employers Should Consider Taking in Response to the Coronavirus from GableGotwals
• Can Employers Take an Employee’s Temperature and Other COVID-19 Questions from Phillips Murrah
• GableGotwals and Stinnett & Associates ' cyber specialists are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, May 13 at noon-1 pm regarding pitfalls and
  practicalities for new (and experienced) online businesses. Register now. GableGotwals' Employment team recently hosted a complimentary webinar covering the latest DOL guidance for employers, what employers need to know to comply, and how to pay for it. Watch the webinar.
• BKD CPAs & Advisors has created a resource page full of tools for navigating COVID-19 including a weekly webinar series. View all of their resources.

Resources for Specific Fields and Professionals:
Educators:

• COVID-19 Guidelines for Colleges and Universities from the Oklahoma State Department of Health
• COVID-19 Guidelines for K-12 Schools  from the Oklahoma State Department of Health
• US Department of Education Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
• Resources for Higher Education from the CDC
• Resources for K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs from the CDC

Event and Meeting Planners:

• Coronavirus Resources from Meetings Mean Business
• Resources for Events and Mass Gatherings – COVID 19 from the CDC

For Faith-Based Leaders:

• Interim Guidance for Community and Faith Leaders from the CDC

Food Industry Professionals:

• Coronavirus and Pandemic Preparedness for the Food Industry from the Food Industry Association

Healthcare Professionals:

• COVID-19 Guidelines for Healthcare Providers from the Oklahoma State Department of Health
• Information for Healthcare Professionals from the CDC

Human Resources Professionals:

• Health, Safety, Security Relative to COVID-19 from SHRM

Nonprofits:

• Coronavirus: What nonprofits should know from the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits