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

Access to vaccines

• View a list of vaccine clinics provided by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department at vaxokc.com.
• View information from the Oklahoma State Department of Health about the vaccine phases for Oklahoma and answer the questionnaire to be notified when you are eligible for a vaccine. When you are notified that you are eligible you will be provided a link to book an appointment.
• Vaccine-alerts.com provides email and text alerts when vaccines, in the Oklahoma State Department of Health or IMMY system, are available near you.
• The Oklahoma City-County Health Department offers information about vaccine phases, safety, myths, benefits, side effects, and more.
• Tribes are offering vaccines to their populations. Find information on Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Seminole, or check with the tribe of which you are a member.

Access to testing

• View a list of testing facilities provided by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department at testokc.com.
• View a list of testing facilities located throughout the state from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.  
• IMMY Labs provides free drive-through testing at its Norman location. Make an appointment.
• Analytical Edge Laboratories are providing antibody and PCR tests at their Oklahoma City and Edmond locations. Learn more.
• Wheeler Labs provides a COVID-19 diagnostic kit that is 95% accurate and based on saliva collection. It can be mailed to individuals or in courier bulk shipments to local companies. Learn more. 

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
• Enlighten Webinar 6-26-20: How workplaces are changing in the COVID-19 era
• Sept. 11 Enlighten Webinar - START Coalition Update

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 recommendations for managing your sick leave policies.
• If employees are ill, businesses should encourage those employees to stay home to help stop the spread of the virus. 

Financial Assistance for Businesses and Nonprofits:

• The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, 2021, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. 
• This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
• Key PPP updates include:
  • PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
  • PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
  • The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
  • The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
• The new guidance released includes:
  • PPP Guidance from SBA Administrator Carranza on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns;
  • Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act; and
  • Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans.
• For more information on SBA’s assistance to small businesses, visit sba.gov/ppp or treasury.gov/cares. 
• View a list of Chamber-member banks and credit unions that are participating in the Paycheck Protection Program.

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:

• Read the update from OG&E
• 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.

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
• 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