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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Toolkit

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What is it?

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China, and reported by the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019. Around the globe, the Coronavirus is receiving heightened attention for infecting tens of thousands of people. The respiratory illness caused by a Coronavirus is thought to spread between people who are in close contact with one another (about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on common surfaces or in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

The Weslaco Chamber is closely tracking the impact of the Coronavirus for our businesses and the Weslaco community. Below are resources for advice on how your business and family can plan for and respond to the virus. We will update this page as information is made available. Updated 4/1.

Monitoring

 

Local News

Business Resources

Updates on Small Business Loans/Stimulus Package

  • US Small Business Administration Resources
  • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)-PDF
  • Families First Response Act-Information Page
  • All Non-profits (including C6) are eligible for $10,000 grant and SBA disaster Loans, read here

Plan and Prepare > Getting Started

Virtual Business forums

Virtual Business Forum: A conversation with Workforce Solutions and UTRGV SBDC, March 30, 2020

 Virtual Business Forum: SBA loan Walk thru (EIDL), April 6, 2020

Virtual Business Forum: Resilience Strategies to Thrive during Uncertain Times, April 13, 2020

Virtual Business Forum: The science behind COVID-19 as we prepare to open up business, April 27, 2020

Virtual Business Forum: Best Practices for Maintaining a safe and clean workplace, May 4, 2020

Virtual Business Forum: National Return to Work Plan, May 11, 2020

Virtual Business Forum: Federal Stimulus Actions to Help Small Business Weather the Coronavirus Pandemic with Tom Sullivan, VP of Small Business Policy, May 29, 2020

  • Link to Recorded Meeting, 5.29.20-PENDING

Virtual Business Forum: EIDL Loan with SBA, June 29, 2020

SOCIAL MEDIA BOOT CAMP SERIES

July 13, 2020: Session 1: An introduction, presented by Alex Garrido, Click here to access link to recorded Session
July 20, 2020: Session 2: Meeting a Social Media Influencer: Angelina Villarreal, Click here to access recorded Session
July 27, 2020: Session 3: Marketing Tactics for my small business, Click here to access recorded Session

Special Topic Workshop: Diversity and Inclusion, 7.16.20

Virtual Business Forum: Hurricane Preparedness with KRGV Channel 5, Chief Meteorologist Tim Smith

Virtual Business Forum: Regional Economic Impact and Business Resources

Virtual Business Forum: Affected by Hurricane Hanna? Learn more about resources from SBA Confirmation

On April 27, 2020 Governor Greg Abbot released a document, The Governors Report to Open Texas, the report outlines critical steps that businesses must take as they prepare to open on May 1st. 

*Pages 19-43 outline checklists for businesses eligible to open on May 1st 

Here is what you need to know:

  • UPDATED CHECKLISTS Can be accessed here 
  • Requirements for ALL:
    • Regularly and frequently clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, chairs, and restrooms.
    • Disinfect any items that come into contact with customers.
    • Make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available to employees and customers.
    • Place readily visible signage at the business to remind everyone of best hygiene practices.

Things you need to do:

Need information on cleaning and disinfecting? Download this PDF

Need information on how to develop your plan to to ensure cleanliness of your business? Download this PDF

Here are some samples of the visible signage that is required to remind everyone of hygiene practices:

Communicate with your Employees:

How will you be monitoring your staff's symptoms? Here is a log you can use.

 

As per the updated executive order:

A few points from the order:

  • Effective 12:01 AM on June 18, 2020, All persons over the age of three (3) should wear some form of covering their mouth and nose.  Masks required when in a public placed where it is difficult to keep six feet away from other people.
  • All commercial “covered services” as enumerated in Judge Cortez’s Amended Order, that are not CISA services or religious services and that are providing goods and services directly to the public must develop and implement “Health and Safety Practices” that require employees and customers to follow additional hygiene measures.
    • Minimum Requirements:
      • All employees and customers must on the premises of the business, must wear some form of facial covering over their mouth and nose
      • Notice of Health and safety measures must be placed somewhere visible in the business
    • Additional measures that can be taken
      • Temperature checks or health screenings
  • Failure to develop and implement Health and Safety Practices as required by the order by 12:01 AM on Saturday June 20, 2020 may result in a fine against the commercial covered entity not to exceed $1000 for EACH violation.

Resources:

You can find the order here: https://www.hidalgocounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/39010/06172020-Revised-Emergency-Order-20-009

Downloadable Flyers: Sample Flyers for Mask_Health Safety Notice

For information on chamber Healthcare members visit: https://business.weslaco.com/list/ql/health-care-11

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