This morning's sunrise in Rockport
June 22, 2020
Dear Friends ,
Welcome to today’s first summertime edition of our special COVID-19 newsletter. Thankfully, the state’s key public health indicators are continuing their favorable trend. With today’s official beginning of Step Two of Phase II Cape Ann’s restaurateurs are now able to begin limited indoor table service while continuing outdoor dining service. Also as of today, close contact personal services, with restrictions, may resume; customers may use retail dressing rooms, by appointment only; and offices may expand to 50 percent staffing capacity.

Today’s issue includes the latest, sector-specific information from the state’s Reopening Massachusetts webpage , as well as local news and updates from Cape Ann communities and businesses.

We wish everyone a great beginning to Summer on Cape Ann.
Sincerely,

Your Chamber Team
Please remember, we are here to support our community with information about reopening Massachusetts and Cape Ann, and business and community resources. Please call (978) 283-1601 or email us as follows:

        

News & Business Resources:

  • Indoor Dining Can Begin Today at Massachusetts Restaurants. Governor Charlie Baker announced on Friday that because of continued progress with COVID-19, Massachusetts restaurants will be able to resume indoor seating, with restrictions, as soon as today, Monday, June 22. In his press conference the Governor also announced that close contact personal services, retail dressing room use by appointment and increased office capacity to 50% may also begin today. To read the Governor’s full announcement please click here.

  • WASHINGTON, June 17 — SBA and Treasury Announce New EZ and Revised Full Forgiveness Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program. On Wednesday, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, posted a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application implementing the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020. In addition to revising the full forgiveness application, SBA also published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application.To read the full announcement, please click here.

  • Small Business Administration Reopens EIDL Portal for New Loan and Grant Applications. Using a newly streamlined application and loan closing process the SBA this week re-launched the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and EIDL Advance Program. EIDL is now available to all small businesses that did not apply by the previous April 15 cut-off date. In addition, small businesses and non-profits may request, as part of their loan application, an EIDL advance grant of up to $10,000. For more information and to apply, please click here. 

  • Reopening Massachusetts, Phase II. We have posted links to the latest General Business and Sector-Specific Guidance from the state on our special COVID-19 webpages. Please click here for detailed information including mandatory workplace safety standards.

  • Dashboard for June 21: The state’s most recent Dashboard of Public Health Indicators continues to trend favorably. The positive test rate continues its downward trend, with the 7-day weighted average dropping to 1.9% on June 19, a change of -93% since April 15. The total number of patients currently hospitalized has also fallen significantly – down 73% since April 15 – standing at 927 yesterday.
Chamber Updates & Resources:
New Listings:

  •  Reopening Cape Ann. As we progress through Phase II, more and more Cape Ann businesses have reopened and expanded operations in accordance with state and local guidelines. We encourage members to update your business hours and operations in your online account so that our Business Directory on www.capeannvacations.com has your most current information. To learn more or for assistance logging into your member account, please contact Olivia Perez-O’Dess ([email protected]).

  • Updated Restaurant Hours and Information. The Chamber’s list of Cape Ann eateries offering Take-Out/ Curbside Service, Delivery, and Outside Dining is currently being updated to reflect the reopening changes under Phase II. For the most accurate hours, protocols, and information, please contact the business directly. This list is a valuable resource for Cape Ann innkeepers, retailers, visitors and residents alike. Please help us keep this information fresh and current by sending the details of your hours and operations to [email protected].
  • Job Postings Welcome. We encourage Chamber members to use us as a resource to post job openings. All CACC members have an online account where they can post a job listing. View current job listings here. For assistance in posting job openings for your business, please contact Olivia Perez-O’Dess at [email protected].
Member & Community Updates:

New Listings:

  • Indoor and Outdoor Dining Expands Across Cape Ann. With limited indoor table service beginning at some Cape Ann restaurants today, scores of restaurants in Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport are continuing to serve their patrons at outside tables, and Cape Ann’s indoor and al fresco dining opportunities are expanding daily. For an extensive and regularly updated list of Cape Ann eateries offering take-out, delivery, indoor and/or outside seating, please click here.

  • CATA Shuttle Service Update. CATA’s Stage Fort Park Trolley and the Rockport Trolley are still suspended at this time. The Ipswich/Essex Explorer has been cancelled for summer 2020. For the latest information on CATA services please visit www.canntran.com.

Ongoing: For member and community updates please click here

Education & Training Resources:

New Listings / Upcoming Events:

  • NBCVB Virtual Meeting: “The Slow Re-Opening Navigating Our New Normal”. Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23 at 10am, the North of Boston CVB will host a virtual meeting for our region’s hospitality businesses. As hospitality industry sectors (lodging, dining, attractions, tours, etc.) begin to open and adjust to new protocols and procedures, we find ourselves in uncharted territory. Speaker Carrie Stack, M Ed. will discuss Emotional Intelligence techniques, specifically dealing with difficult customers as well as focusing on self-care and self-awareness. To register please click here today.

  • Rockport Art Association & Museum Presents Summer Online Art Courses. “The Infinite Well” with Adria Arch, will be held from 1 to 3pm on the following Tuesdays: July 7, 14, 21 and 28; August 4 & 11. “Landscape Painting with Caleb Stone”, will take place from 1 to 4pm on the following Fridays: July 24 & 31; August 7 & 14. Registration deadline for “The Infinite Well” is June 30; for “Landscape Painting the deadline is July 17. The cost for each is $200 for RAA&M members / $225 for non-members. For more information and to register for “The Infinite Well” please click here; for “Landscape Painting” information and registration please click here.
Ongoing: For listings of education and training resources please click here

Community Services & Resources:

Ongoing: For listings of community services and resources please click here
Members Helping Members & the Community:

New Listings:
  • Post and Share Your Events. Please use your online account to post your upcoming events, including virtual events, on our online community calendars. These are valuable resources for Cape Ann residents and visitors alike, and another way to promote your business and the reopening of Cape Ann. If you need assistance in logging in to your online account, please email [email protected].  
Ongoing: For additional listings of members helping members and the community please click here .

As we learn of more creative ways that our members and our communities are adapting and responding, we will share them through all our Chamber communications channels.
Informational Resources:

For the most current information about the federal, state and local response to COVID-19 – including information of particular relevance to employers and employees – we recommend visiting the following websites: 

  • COVID-19 Command Center Update: Read MEMA’s June 11 Command Center report here.


  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, including public health advisories, business resources and government services, please visit here.

  • Department of Public Health: Stay at Home Advisory. For details click here.







For information and updates specific to one’s local community, we recommend visiting the following city and town websites for Cape Ann:





Our goal as always is to serve as a trusted resource in providing our business community and residents with helpful information and guidance during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The members of your team here at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce are here for you, as we all pull together to meet and overcome the challenges of COVID-19.
We at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.

If you are interested in promoting with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Vince Mainetti at [email protected]