Dear BANY Member,
As we all continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want you to know you are not alone. We remain here for you and will be sending regular updates as to what our association is doing in response. The Board of Directors met again yesterday, March 18
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by conference call, and will continue to meet every Wednesday.
BANY is being proactive and has sent letters requesting financial assistance to the New York State Governor, Legislative Leadership and Transportation and Tourism Chairs. That letter was shared in last week’s special Flash. Below you will find a letter based off the ABA template that was sent to the New York State Congressional Delegation specifically calling on them to support the motorcoach, travel and tourism industries. We encourage you to send letters of your own on company letterhead. Please feel free to use our letters as an example. In addition, the BANY Board of Directors will be speaking with the New York State Department of Transportation to advocate for much needed relief.
Warm Regards,
Cam
BANY President
Hale Transportation - Oneonta Division
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BANY's Letter to our Washington Representatives
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What we are hearing from the road
We wanted to give you a brief synopsis on what is happening with the businesses that our Board of Directors run, manage and work for.
Operators:
Charter contracts have cancelled through the rest of the month and in many cases through April, and beyond. We are seeing our companies take buses off the road, layoff staff, and reduce spending as much as possible. They are reaching out to lenders for extensions and generally just slowing everything down.
Travel and Tourism:
Our hotel and destination partners are experiencing meeting and room cancellations, and attractions closing temporarily. In some cases, where possible staff is working from home but they are also making difficult decisions regarding layoffs. However, to give everyone a little hope they are still seeing people schedule tours for late 2020 and 2021.
Equipment Suppliers, Products and Services:
Companies are requesting the delay of deliveries and/or cancellations of existing orders. While they continue to fill existing orders, new orders have slowed down to almost a complete stop.
We bring this information to you not be negative but to let you know that we are in this together and understand what each of you are dealing with in these uncertain times. As mentioned above, we are here for you, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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The Joint Meeting Schedule for
March 24, 2020 has been cancelled
Other Meeting and Events that have been Postponed or Cancelled:
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Tell Congress motorcoach companies need help now
Our members of Congress must act immediately to provide financial and economic relief for America's 3,000 motorcoach companies and our 100,000+ employees.
Enter the basic information requested and a letter with our message will be delivered to each member of your Congressional delegation when you hit send. The letter is to the right below the green button if you want to review it.
We need everyone to take part in this absolutely urgent advocacy effort. Remember, you can share the link for this campaign with your staff so they can add their voices to this effort.
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THANK YOU!
The Bus Association of New York State (BANY) Board of Directors and members I would like to offer our deepest gratitude to our partners and members like
Lancer Insurance Company
and
National Interstate Insurance
for there thoughtfulness in providing your policyholders with additional flexibility as they manage the fiscal challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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New York State Executive Orders
Governor Cuomo has been holding regular press conferences and making additional announcements throughout each day regarding various mandates being imposed by New York in response to COVID-19, mostly via Executive Order which can be found
here
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Executive Order No. 202.6 – Work-From-Home & Workplace Density Reductions (Includes all businesses and not-for-profit entities)
Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order Number 202.6 which is in effect through April 17, 2020.
Effective Friday, March 20 at 8 PM, all non-essential businesses and non-profits are directed to implement work-from-home policies. Businesses that RELY on in-office personnel must decrease in-office workforce by 50%. Essential businesses do not have to reduce their in-person workforce.
The Governor's Executive Order defines the following as essential businesses: healthcare operations (research and lab services); infrastructure (including utilities, telecommunication, airports, and transportation); food production/manufacturing; manufacturing of pharmaceuticals; grocery stores; pharmacies; trash collection; mail and shipping services; news media; banks and related financial institutions; providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations (food banks); construction; and vendors that provide services or products to any of the above-mentioned businesses.
Any other business may be deemed essential after requesting an opinion from the Empire State Development Corporation. ESDC shall issue guidance no later than 5PM today, March 19
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. Waiver requests and questions can be submitted to ESDC here:
https://esd.ny.gov/
At this morning’s press conference the Governor announced that he will be increasing the percentage to 75%. Which means entities much decrease in-office workforce to 25%. We expect that Executive Order to be issued today.
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Executive Order No. 202.5 - Mandatory Business Closures
Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order Number 202.5 which is in effect through April 17, 2020.
Effective Thursday, March 19 at 8 PM, Governor Cuomo announced the mandatory closure of all indoor portions of retail shopping malls with an excess of 100,000 square feet of retail space. Any stores (not already mandatorily closed) that are located within shopping malls with their own external entrances may remain open. Food service establishments must limit themselves to take out or delivery only. All places of public amusement must close until further notice, including: amusement rides, parks, and carnivals; water parks; aquariums; zoos; fairs; theme parks, play centers, funplexes, and arcades; bowling alleys; and any other family and children's attractions.
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Executive Order No. 202.3 – Gatherings
Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order Number 202.3 amended his directive requiring large gatherings and events to be cancelled or postponed if they had anticipated attendance in excess of 500 people by virtue of Executive Order 202.l dated March 12, 2020, to also require that any large gathering or event (concert, conference, worship service, performance before a large audience, etc.) shall be cancelled or postponed if more than fifty persons are expected in attendance, at any location in New York State until further notice.
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The Governor and Legislature reached a three-way agreement on COVID-19 leave/benefits legislation. On Thursday, March 18
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the NYS Legislature passed S.8091 Ramos/ A.10153 Nolan which guarantees at least two weeks of paid sick leave and job protection for employees placed on mandated or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation. This leave is in addition to any existing paid sick leave policies and includes care for minor dependent children. This act does not apply where an employee is deemed asymptomatic or has not been diagnosed with a medical condition and is physically able to work under mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation, whether through remote access or other means. If the Federal Government enacts similar law or regulation, employees are only eligible to collect NYS benefits to the extent that they exceed Federal law – they can collect the difference. Disability and Paid Leave Benefits can be collected concurrently (capped at $840.70/ week in paid family leave, and $2,043.92 in disability benefits). This law is in effect immediately.
The mechanism for payment depends on the size and net income of the employer and applies only to employees placed on a mandated or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation in response to COVID-19 by a government entity (NYS Dept. of Health, local Board of Health or any other governmental entity authorized):
10 or fewer employees:
- Eligible employees are provided unpaid sick leave for the duration of the quarantine or isolation
- During quarantine/isolation, the employee is eligible for Paid Family Leave (PFL) and Disability Benefits
- Eligible employers with more than $1 million in net income for the previous tax year are responsible to provide at least 5 days of paid sick leave in addition to the unlimited unpaid sick leave for the duration of quarantine/ isolation
- After the 5 days of employer provided paid sick leave, employee is eligible for PFL and Disability Benefits
11-99 employees:
- Eligible employees are provided with at least 5 days of employer provided paid sick leave
- After the 5 days of employer provided paid sick leave, employee is eligible for PFL and Disability Benefits
100 or more employees:
- Eligible employees are provided with at least 14 days of employer provided paid sick leave
Public Employers:
- Eligible employees are provided with at least 14 days of employer provided paid sick leave
Bill text can be found
here.
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SBA Updates Criteria on States for Requesting Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SBA.gov
WASHINGTON – Today, as part of the Trump Administration’s aggressive, whole-of-government efforts to combat the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and minimize economic disruption to the nation’s 30 million small businesses, U.S. Small Business Administration
Administrator Jovita Carranza
issued revised criteria for states or territories seeking an economic injury declaration related to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Small businesses to get loans in
wake of outbreak
Crain's New York Business
The de Blasio administration has announced a new assistance program aimed at offering financial relief to
small businesses
affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
“We have to provide some relief for the businesses that are hurting right now,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a news conference Sunday. “So, we have two forms of relief we're going to implement right away.”
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Your input needed to craft industry impact statement for economic relief package
UMA
Please complete the following very short survey that will provide the information needed by our legislative team for an Emergency Rescue Package for our industry, requested by Congress and the White House. Totally anonymous. Two minutes to complete.
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American Bus Association - COVID-19 Resources
The American Bus Association continues to work with a host of federal and tourism partners including the
Centers for Disease Control
, World Health Organization, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, American Public Transportation Association, US Travel Association and others to keep our members updated with the most current information regarding the current situation related to infectious diseases impacts and methods to limit its spread.
For more information on ABA Actions, New Updates, and Being Prepared:
Read more
Quick Links:
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Bus Association of New York | 125 State Street, Albany, New York 12207| 518.426.3233
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