News Podcast – Weather – Video of the Day – COVID-19 From Salem – Local Photos
Headlines: Massachusetts unemployment increases, Governor touts increased hospital capacity, welcomed more supplies; Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll updates the city’s response (additional details below); Lynn GE workers concerned about workplace safety; Lynn schools move to online learning; Danvers restricts the number of customers in big stores; Legislation enables restaurants to beer and wine takeout.
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City of Salem COVID-19 Response Update – April 2, 2020
The City of Salem continues to advance measures to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), lessen impacts on healthcare providers responding to this evolving situation, and support Salem residents and businesses during this public health emergency. To view previous updates, please visit www.salem.com/news and click on a previous COVID-19 update.
New Updates
- Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and Health Agent David Greenbaum will hold their second public online Q&A tomorrow, April 3rd, at 4:00 p.m. You can log in to www.salem.com/covidQA at that time to ask your COVID-19-related questions or send them in advance to mayor@salem.com with Q&A in the subject line.
- While Waste Management will continue to pick-up sealed or tied trash bags left next to your toter curbside on collection day, residents are asked to not place more than two such extra bags per household out at a time. Excessive numbers of bags slow down the collection of trash in your neighborhood. Thank you for understanding.
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering grants of up to $10,000 to businesses. Businesses should go to www.sba.gov to review programs. Of particular note are the following:
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) – This is a low-interest loan program that can provide up to $2 million of financial assistance (actual loan amounts are based on amount of economic injury) to small businesses or private, non-profit organizations that suffer substantial economic injury as a result of the declared disaster.
- Emergency Injury Disaster (EID) Grant – The grant or “Loan Advance” is for up to $10,000. Businesses need to apply for an EIDL and indicate on the application that they are also applying for the grant. Even if the business decides not to close on the EIDL or the loan is denied, the grant will be awarded within 3-4 business days after the application is submitted. The grant does not need to be repaid.
- Paycheck Protection Program – This is a new loan program as part of the CARES Act. It provides a direct financial incentive for small businesses to keep employees on the payroll. The 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. To learn more about the program and to download a sample application so you can see what information will be required, please go to https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp. Applications will be accepted as early as April 3, 2020. This program will be available through June 30, 2020.
Whether or not you are looking into applying for an EIDL, seeking an EID Grant, or are interested in the Paycheck Protection Program, please go to www.sba.gov to register for their programs. This will put you ahead of the game and ready to apply when the new programs are rolled out. There will be additional programs both through the SBA and through other government agencies focused on business support in the form of grants, loans, and tax credits. As programs, applications, and opportunities are finalized they will be posted at www.salem.com/together under the Worker and Employer Resources section.
- Pursuant to guidance from the Commonwealth’s Inspector General, the City of Salem’s Purchasing Office has opened a post office box to which all bids and proposals should be sent going forward. Bids and proposals should no longer be mailed to the Purchasing Office at City Hall and instead should be submitted to: Salem Purchasing Office, P.O. Box 928, Salem MA 01970.
- New resources added to www.salem.com/together: Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) updates, guidance from the CDC about how to protect yourself from COVID-19, a listing of area hotels offering discounted accommodations for healthcare workers, a link to new supplemental guidance from the state for construction projects, Salem Chamber resource page for small businesses, and U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Loan Program details, as well as a guide for small businesses to the CARES Act.
Status of Cases
Due to the increased amount of testing, as of 4:00 p.m. on April 2, 2020, 47 Salem residents have tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.coronavirus.gov and www.mass.gov/coronavirus. Mass DPH has posted an FAQ at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19 and has activated an information line that can be reached by dialing 2-1-1.
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