Business Resources for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Reopening and Recovery
Which Orders Do I Follow & What is a Requirement vs. a Recommendation?
Businesses and individuals must comply with both County and State orders. Each County retains authority to issue and enforce equally or more restrictive orders or provisions as necessary to respond should conditions worsen. The orders outline requirements that must be complied with in order to conduct business. (Riley County’s Safety Requirement document provides additional information for businesses.)
City of Manhattan Mask order (Issued July 7, 2020)
Riley County Health Order #19 (Effective November 24, 2020)
Manhattan Area Recovery Task Force - tools to communicate your business practices to patrons
Safety Requirements and Guidelines for all Businesses in Riley County
Pottawatomie County Reopening Guidelines
Pottawatomie County Health Order #8 (Issued August 19, 2020)
Pottawatomie County Mask Order (Issued July 3, 2020)
Business Guidance – State of Kansas document with links to recommendations from multiple industries
Guidance for Businesses to Respond to COVID-19 – Good for more basic business operations
Restaurant Guidelines
Retail Guidelines
Cosmetology Guidelines
Kansas Board of Cosmetology Guidelines
PPE items - these members offer Personal Protective Equipment
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Riley County Health Department
Resources
We encourage local businesses and Manhattan residents to monitor the situation and be diligent in protecting themselves. The Chamber has compiled resources, both locally and nationally, for its business members and the general public.
Our goal is to minimize the impact on our community by looking to our public health experts for guidance related to COVID-19. Here are some additional resources for your reference.
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- Riley County Health Department - In cooperation with Ascension Via Christi and local medical partners a screening phone line available at 785-323-6400.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers – CDC
- Risk Assessment Guidance – CDC
- Kansas Department of Labor
- Mental Health Related - Managing your mental health time of crisis by Pawnee Mental Health
Resources from the U.S. Chamber
- Federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP)
- NEW - Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
- NEW - Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched a new online series called Path Forward to supplement and inform the Chamber’s work. Each episode of Path Forward will feature experts sharing their perspectives on the complex issues involved in a responsible reopening strategy. You can learn more about this initiative in the letter we sent to all of our members. We will be hosting a series of webinars, which you can sign up for by clicking here.
Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-19 Emergency
K-State
USD 383
The Kansas Department of Commerce launched a jobs website, connecting job seekers with Kansas businesses hiring to fill urgent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 jobs site, kansasworks.com/coronavirus, allows employers from essential industries to quickly and easily post critical positions that need to be filled to support activities related to helping individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. The site, which is available at no cost to employers or job seekers, will be updated continuously as businesses add new jobs to the system. Job seekers can visit the site to find companies hiring for COVID-19-related positions and quickly access company hiring portals.
2-1-1 is a service by the United Ways of Kansas that puts people in touch with much-needed services and volunteer opportunities in their local communities. Now you can call, go online or even text to find help.
Dial 2-1-1
Webinars
METL is a regional coalition of the Manhattan, Emporia, Topeka, and Lawrence Chambers of Commerce, representing the voice of nearly 3,000 Kansas businesses are hosting a webinar series. This webinar series will provide business resources for COVID-19.
March 31
Sec. David Toland of the Kansas Department of Commerce
Sec. Toland provided business assistance information relating to the COVID-19 response.
April 2
Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Neil discussed the CARES Act and what that means for small businesses.
April 7
Karl Klein, regional director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center and Will Katz, director of the KU Small Business Development Center
This call focused on the nuts and bolts of the SBA application for small businesses.
April 9
Laurel Klein Searles, Unemployment Insurance Director for the Kansas Department of Labor
April 14
Sheldon Bartel with the National Development Council, a national non-profit
He will discuss revolving loan funds and small business recovery programs, including EIDL and PPP.
April 16
Wayne Bell, the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, based in Wichita
Based on recommendations of the CDC
- Frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or use your inner elbow or sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you’re sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
- Clean surfaces in your home and personal items, such as cell phones, using regular household products.
- Consider an “elbow bump” instead of a hug or handshake.
We hope to maintain business as usual, but also want to ensure we’re aligning with best practices to do all we can to keep our community healthy.