HBAT Update | April 02, 2020
Quick items today.
  1. Gov. Lee updates order to Mandate Stay at Home policy
  2. Construction is Essential map
  3. Travel Letter language for Construction Workers*
  4. Information on federal loan programs. PPP applications begin April 3rd.

Updated information 04/02/2020 - 3:30pm Central Time

Additional Restrictions Announced
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signs Executive Order 23 requiring that Tennesseans stay home unless they are carrying out essential activities as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.

“Over the last few weeks, we have seen decreases in movement around the state as Tennesseans socially distance and stay at home,” said Gov. Lee. "However, in recent days we have seen data indicating that movement may be increasing and we must get these numbers trending back down. I have updated my previous executive order to clearly require that Tennesseans stay at home unless they are carrying out essential activities .”

Gov. Lee announced these measures in the press briefing today at 3:00 p.m. CDT.
The order is not yet published online. It will be published here soon .
Where Can Home Builders Stay on the Job?  
This week, Tennessee joined many states ordering non-essential businesses to close to stop the spread of coronavirus. Thankfully, Tennessee and other states included exemptions for construction workers and related services allowing them to continue working. Source: NAHB
On March 30, 2020 Governor Bill Lee Issue Executive Order 22 calling for Tennesseans to stay at home and for businesses to develop alternative work schedules. Construction and construction related businesses were determined to be essential business services and are listed in Amendment A to the Order.

Today (04/02), Governor Lee issued additional Stay at Home restrictions and news reports indicate the State of Georgia will issue a Stay at Home order, as well.
Builders Mutual is an Annual Sponsor of HBAT.
Builders Mutual Shares COVID-19 Risk Resource Kit
As an insurance company that helps construction companies understand and protect against risk, Builders Mutual understands the growing concern surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) across our communities. To help keep you informed on the latest developments, they have compiled a list of recent service updates and related resources. The Tool Kit will be updated as new information develops.
Travel Letter for Essential Industry Workers
Fill in your company information and issue to your essential industry employees
Builders Mutual's Tool Kit includes a "travel letter" for essential employees. We strongly encourage you to download the letter. Copy the language onto your company's letter head and fill in the blanks with names and contact information. We hope you don't need these letters, but we recommend you issue them to your essential employees, in case they are needed in the future.

**All current orders in Tennessee and guidance from the US Department of Homeland Security names single-family and multi-family housing construction as an essential infrastructure industry.**

The letter also has a Spanish language translation that you can print on the reverse of the letter for your any workers whose first language is Spanish.
Builders Mutual is an Annual Sponsor of HBAT. We appreciate them providing these resources.
Job Site COVID Prevention 1-Pager
Print & Post at your Work Sites.
Even though construction and associated businesses have been determined to be essential business services in Governor Lee’s Executive Order 22, job sites must comply with the Public Health Safety Measures.


We advise you to post these job site protocols to reduce the spread of infection. We worked really hard to justify why residential construction and our associates should be allowed to keep working. We explained to the Governor that we could work safely and would take all the necessary precautions. Don’t let another builder or company draw the wrong kind of attention, create a media uproar, and gets construction shut down.  

We have also posted images of these prevention plans on Facebook. We encourage you to share them, so others can know HBAT members are taking appropriate action to protect the heath of our workers and the public. 

Current Federal Loan Programs for Small Business
You should talk to your Banker or the Bank that handles your payroll checking account about the Paycheck Protection Program recently passed by Congress. 

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

Small businesses, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

All loan terms will be the same for everyone. The loan amounts will be forgiven as long as: The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8 week period after the loan is made; and Employee and compensation levels are maintained. Payroll costs are capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee.

Applications open Friday, April 3 for small businesses and sole proprietorships. Applications for independent contractors and self-employed individuals open Friday, April 10.
Pinnacle Finance Partners is an Annual Sponsor of HBAT
Pinnacle Financial Partners has a detailed summary with questions and answers about the Paycheck Protection Program. We encourage you read it and see if the program is a good fit for you and your business. 


More information from the U.S. Department of Treasury on PPP.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus. These are available now.

These loans come directly from the SBA, and applications will be made through the SBA, not your bank. It is still advisable to discuss this option with your accountant, banker or financial advisor, they can help you gather the required materials and help determine how it fits into your overall needs.
Pinnacle Financial Partners also has a quick description of the criteria and terms for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. We encourage you read their summary as well to determine if the program is a good fit for you and your business.
Pinnacle Finance Partners is an Annual Sponsor of HBAT
We encourage you to work with a bank or financial professional that you know when discussing these programs.

Be Alert, Don't Get Scammed : Be careful responding to emails or unsolicited phone calls requesting banking information. Hackers and Scammers are active now and will surely use fake loan programs as bait in the weeks ahead. 
The Centers for Disease Control Recommendations 
Interim Guidance for Businesses & Employers
How to plan, prepare and respond to prevent exposure.

All employers need to consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illness and lower the impact of COVID-19 in their workplace in the event of an outbreak in the US. You should identify and communicate your objectives, which may include one or more of the following:
(a) reducing transmission among staff,
(b) protecting people who are at higher risk for adverse health complications,
(c) maintaining business operations, and
(d) minimizing adverse effects on other entities in their supply chains.
Risk Assessment for Business
For most places in Tennessee our risk of exposure is low. If an employee does not feel well, they should stay home.
Proper Cleaning Techniques for Facilities with Suspected Exposure
Good techniques of how to clean surfaces and clothes to avoid spreading infection.
Tip: bleach and water solutions in a spray bottle work well.