Florida Chamber COVID-19 Membership Update: March 21, 2020

March 21, 2020

A Message from the Florida Chamber: COVID-19 Update

To our Florida Chamber family, hang in there. COVID-19 continues to require new sacrifices from Florida’s residents, workers and businesses. I’m in awe of how many of you are making me proud to be a Floridian ( check out this list of what Florida Chamber members are doing to help out).

We’re working around the clock and weekends to ensure chamber members have the latest information and resources they need.

We continue to be in direct contact with Governor DeSantis’ office and Florida’s Department of Emergency Management, as well as U.S. Senators Rubio and Scott. Their leadership in keeping Floridians safe, and in putting together much needed support of Florida businesses and the millions of workers they employee is making a difference.

Just like businesses across Florida, the Florida Chamber team has transitioned to remote work to ensure the safety of our employees. Just like you, our team is resilient and working diligently to help our members with both the immediate challenges, as well as planning for the future economic transition when we emerge from this.

We know that the brightest minds in the private sector are working to ensure our supply chains stay strong and healthcare resources are readily available. And we’re committed to standing firmly by your side to help ensure you have what you need.

Please share this message with other business leaders, and encourage them to sign-up to receive their personal copy of this newsletter, and remember you can always get the latest updates from the Florida Chamber's COVID-19 Resource Center.

Have questions or want to share information, contact our COVID-19 point of contact Greg Blose at gblose@flchamber.com.

My Best,

Mark Wilson

President and CEO

Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released guidance to help state and local jurisdictions and the private sector identify and manage their essential workforce while responding to COVID-19. As the Nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:

“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”

Learn more here .

Economic Relief

DBPR Renewal Reprieve

Governor Ron DeSantis has directed Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears to issue an emergency order suspending renewal deadlines for all department-issued licenses, permits, registrations, or certificates set to expire in March or April. Late fees will not apply to licenses renewed during this extension period.

If there are requirements that people have to complete continuing education hours to renew their professional licenses, those will also be suspended for 30 days from the existing renewal deadline.

More information on other department matters related to emergency actions, calendar changes for the board and department meetings, and other operational announcements during this state of emergency can be found at myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/emergency .

Sen. Marco Rubio Offers Plan to Help Small Businesses

Senator Marco Rubio is pushing legislation that will work to help small businesses and their employees. The Keeping Workers Paid and Employed Act would prevent workers from losing their jobs and small businesses from going under due to economic losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. More here.

Business Response

Bank of America Allows Borrowers to Pause Mortgages

Bank of America announced customers can request to defer a payment on different kinds of financial products. Each person’s request will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Customers will also have the option to pause payments on: credit cards, small business loans, auto loans, etc.

More here .

Grocery Chains Designating Opening Hours for Elderly, Disabled

Costco, the bulk-grocery warehouse chain, announced they are dedicating select hours for elderly and disabled customers. The intent is to allow customers who are vulnerable to the coronavirus to shop when the store is less crowded. Publix, Walmart, Target and Whole Foods have rolled out similar policies. More here .

Help Keep Healthcare Workers Protected: Please Donate Surgical Masks

There have been a lot of news reports indicating we need to do all we can to keep our healthcare workers protected. That’s why the Florida Chamber is calling on all of our construction companies (and others with surgical masks) to make them available for sale or donation to our healthcare workers. It’s a small act of kindness that could save lives. To make boxes of surgical masks available, please contact Tanya Bechtold at tbechtold@flchamber.com or call her at 850-521-1218.

Share Your Story : Businesses of all sizes and sectors are stepping up to address this crisis. Share your company’s story by emailing Christi McCray at cristimccray@flchamber.com .

Top Stories

COVID-19: Number of Cases in Florida

Data Source: Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 Dashboard

Governor DeSantis Closes

Dine-In Restaurants, Gyms

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-71 closing all dine-in restaurants and fitness centers. Restaurants may stay open for carry-out. More here .

FL Dept. of Health Asking Providers for All Resources

The Florida Department of Health is calling on private and public providers of medical devices and resources in preparation for a surge in Florida’s healthcare system. More here .

CA, NY Issue Strictest

Orders in USA

California governor Gavin Newsome issued an indefinite statewide order for all residents to stay at home. “Essential services” will stay open, including: grocery stores, banks and pharmacies.

New York Workforce

Staying Home

New York governor Andrew Cuomo also announced on Friday that he

will be issuing an executive order forcing 100 percent of his state’s workforce to stay home. New York state is home to 40 percent of America’s COVID-19 cases.

More here and here .

Iranian Death Toll Rises

I ran’s health ministry said that the coronavirus has forced hospitals to reach a “breaking point” as a person dies from the virus every 10 minutes. Iran has the third highest number of deaths in the world. More here .

UK On Lockdown

Restaurants, bars and gyms will be completely shut down across the entire country in an effort to combat the spreading coronavirus. The order comes after a London hospital declared a “critical incident” finding themselves short of ICU beds.

More here .

Florida Chamber of Commerce www.FloridaChamber.com/Coronavirus