The Daily Edition for Monday, March 31, 2020

To view this in your browser, click here.

 

 

Welcome to your daily Impact newsletter!

As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you every afternoon, through emails like this one and on Facebook and Twitter, until the pandemic passes. We intend to provide you with the latest state and federal information, as well as highlighting the creativity and innovation that is occuring here in Maine during this unpredictable and rapidly changing time. To assist you in navigating the uncertainties ahead, we have created a diverse and comprehensive collection of web-based resources to help you take care of yourself and your family, your employees, your business, and your community. If there is anything you need, please reach out.

We are here to help in any way we can!

 

 

BREAKING NEWS!   Governor Mills Issues Stay Healthy at Home Mandate

Also orders a series of additional requirements to protect public health and safety in the face of COVID-19   At a 4:30 p.m. press conference on Tuesday, March 31, Governor Janet Mills issued a series of substantial new mandates to protect public health and safety in the face of COVID-19, including a Stay Healthy at Home directive that requires people living in Maine to stay at home at all times unless for an essential job or an essential personal reason, such as obtaining food, medicine, health care, or other necessary purposes.   The Governor also mandated a series of other new restrictions, including: * For essential businesses and operations that remain open, limiting the number of customers in their buildings at any one time, implementing curb-side pickup and delivery options as much as possible, and enforcing U.S. CDC-recommended physical distancing requirements for their customers and employees in and around their facilities. * Prohibiting the use of public transportation unless for an essential reason or job that cannot be done from home and limiting the number of people traveling in private vehicles to persons within the immediate household unless transporting for essential activities. * Mandating the continued termination of classroom or other in-person instruction until at least May 1, 2020. * Mandating that, when out of the home or when at work at an essential business, individuals shall maintain a minimum distance of six feet from other persons.   The Executive Order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 2, 2020 and will last until at least April 30, 2020. The Governor may amend, rescind, or renew this timeline at her discretion. The Governor also extended the closure of restaurants and bars statewide for dine-in customers until at least April 30, 2020 to align with today's Executive Order.   "We are in the midst of one of the greatest public health crises this world has seen in more than a century. This virus will continue to sicken people across our state; our cases will only grow, and more people will die. I say this to be direct, to be as honest with you as I can. Because saving lives will depend on us," said Governor Mills. "I implore you - look to yourself, your family, your friends, your loved ones, your neighbors on the front lines, first responders and health care workers fighting the virus, those who can't stay home; the children who live around the corner, the farmer who grows your food, the grocer and the pharmacist who sell you goods, the teachers who are missing their kids; the fisherman, the sailor, the truck driver, the janitor, the waitress at your favorite diner; these are the people you are protecting by staying home. This is who you are saving."   The Governor's Executive Order enacts the following:   Stay Healthy at Home Directive: Governor Mills' "Stay Healthy at Home" Executive Order requires that Maine people remain at home unless to leave for an essential job or an essential activity. Essential jobs are defined under Governor Mills' March 24 Executive Order outlining essential businesses and operations. The Governor's Executive Order today updates the March 24 Executive Order to adopt into effect the most recent Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.   Travel Restrictions: The Order prohibits the use of public transportation unless for an essential reason or job that cannot be done from home and limits the number of people traveling in private vehicles to persons within the immediate household unless transporting for essential personal activities.   Termination of In-Person Instruction at Schools: Public and private schools and higher education institutions statewide have terminated in-classroom instruction in accordance with the Governor's March 15 recommendation. The Governor today ordered that all such schools shall continue to cease classroom or other in-person instruction until at least May 1, 2020, or until further Order.   Restricting Number of People in Essential Stores: Under the Executive order, essential stores with retail spaces of: * Less than 7,500 square feet limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 5. Examples of such stores include gas stations and convenience and specialty food stores. * More than 7,500 and less than 25,000 square feet limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 15. Examples of such stores include stand-alone pharmacies and certain hardware stores. * More than 25,000 and less than 50,000 square feet limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 50. Examples of such stores include mid-sized and locally owned grocery stores. * More than 50,000 and less than 75,000 square feet limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 75. Examples of such stores include chain grocery stores. * More than 75,000 square feet limit the number of customers in the store at one time to 100 and install protective shields between customers and checkout clerks as soon as practicable. Examples of such stores include Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot.   There are also preemption and enforcement provisions. Read the full Executive Order.

 

 

Connecting with Maine's Congressional Delegation on the Federal Stimulus Package   This afternoon, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce met virtually with U.S. Senator Susan Collins and U.S. Senator Angus King to discuss the recently-passed $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. We would like to thank both Senator Collins and Senator King for joining us for this unique two-hour briefing for the Maine Chamber Board of Directors and our friends from the local and regional chambers. Working closely with Maine's Congressional delegation through this difficult time to ensure the Maine business community's voice is heard during these difficult days has been a priority for all of us here at the Maine State Chamber.   On the video conference call, we were able to hear directly from Senator Collins who was the primary sponsor of the Paycheck Protection Act contained with the CARES Act. Sen. Collins was able to share with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and our local and regional chambers details of how the legislation came together and some important aspects of the bill. For example, sole proprietors who normally do not qualify for an SBA loan, does qualify for protections under the new program and that the lending institutions who will be offering the loans are the current SBA's 7a loan providers.   For the second hour, Senator King was gracious enough to join us on his birthday and was able to bring us up to speed on the detailed negotiations that went into passing the CARES Act. Some of the issues he shared with the more than 100 participants on the call were some of the details surrounding the support of our health care industry contained in the legislation along with our small businesses in Maine. In addition, he went into detail on how the unemployment expansion contained in the CARES Act would work.   Being able to host both our U.S. Senators on a video conference with our entire board and the local and regional chambers only days of the bill was passed in signed into law shows how special we are here in Maine to have such direct access to our elected officials. Working together we can weather this storm and be a stronger community and state when this is behind us.

 

 

Mills Administration Takes Steps to Support Personal Care Workers, Maine Seniors in Response to COVID-19

Actions will accelerate benefits for personal care workers and residents who are home-bound   On Monday, March 30, Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Jeanne Lambrew announced that the Administration is accelerating pay increases for personal care workers and expanding access to meals for older Mainers who are home-bound because of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).   Maine DHHS will accelerate MaineCare (Medicaid) rate increases that are designated to support pay raises for personal care workers, including personal support specialists, home health aides, private duty nurses, and other professionals who care for Maine's older residents at home. Starting April 1, 2020, providers will receive rate increases that will allow them to fund pay raises for approximately 20,000 personal care workers, instead of on July 1, 2020 as previously approved by the Legislature.   The Legislature previously ratified this rate increase for the next State fiscal year, but in order to support these workers and their clients in response to COVID-19, DHHS has authorized using existing funds to begin all payment rate increases in the supplemental budget early. The accelerated payments for personal care workers follow the Mills Administration's earlier action to financially support Maine's compassionate, quality long-term care providers, through an extraordinary circumstance allowance for nursing facilities announced last week.   Additionally, Maine has received $800,000 through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to support meals for older Mainers who are home-bound, and more federal funding is expected through future allotments. This is especially important at a time when the Governor encourages all Maine to people to stay home. DHHS expects to be able to provide its local partners with this support in the coming days. Meal delivery volunteers will knock at the door of each home and then step back to ensure that the meal is received while maintaining physical distancing.

 

 

MDOL Opted in to New Temporary Federal Unemployment Programs to help Maine Workers and Employers during COVID-19 Emergency

The Maine Department of Labor has opted in to new temporary federal unemployment programs to provide relief to people in Maine affected by COVID-19. Congress enacted and the President signed the new CARES Act which includes these provisions on Friday, March 28. On Saturday, March 29, the state completed the documentation to begin the process for receiving the new federal unemployment funds. Because Maine already had in place emergency unemployment insurance (UI) measures of the Governor's COVID-19 bill, Maine was able to opt-in to the additional $600 per week in benefits and the additional 13 weeks of benefits. These programs are not currently available in Maine but, once fully implemented, they will temporarily extend the scope and benefits of the state's unemployment program.   As soon as they are available, these new temporary federal programs will bring to Maine people and employers: * Unemployment benefits for those not covered by regular unemployment, including the self-employed, those at home taking care of a child unable to attend school, or whose child care is unavailable, among others. * Increased weekly unemployment benefits of $600 per week added to the regular weekly unemployment insurance benefits. * Extended unemployment benefits for up to 13 additional weeks beyond the regular amount of up to 26 weeks of unemployment insurance, for a total of up to 39 weeks for those who have exhausted current benefits. * Support for the layoff aversion program (Workshare), an unemployment option that helps businesses retain their workforce during a temporary slowdown in work. The program allows employers to voluntarily reduce the hours of staff in lieu of layoffs. Employees of the business are allowed to collect a partial unemployment benefit to help them offset the loss of income. * Provides aid to direct reimbursable employers by offering 50% federal funding of the COVID-19-related benefit claims charges. These are government (state, local and tribal) as well as certain non-profit employers who have chosen to reimburse the cost of unemployment benefits paid out in lieu of paying unemployment taxes.   People who have exhausted all available benefits already or are self-employed should wait to file a claim for benefits. Since these programs have not been implemented yet, filing at this point filing will only result in a denial. Those who have already enrolled in the current program should continue filing weekly certifications.   Maine Department of Labor's Unemployment Insurance Program provides partial wage replacement for workers who experience job layoff, loss or reduction in hours through no fault of their own. Those who are unsure if they are eligible for unemployment benefits are encouraged to apply. MDOL will review information provided by both the applicant and the employer to make a case-by-case determination about eligibility. It is highly recommended that all who can, please apply online using a computer. The system is available 24/7 on the unemployment webpage.   The phone is available 1-800-593-7660 between 8 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Monday-Friday. Because so many Mainers have been impacted, the phone queue fills quickly. The Department encourages people to keep trying. For simple questions or for password resets, please call the nearest CareerCenter. Information on the Department's website is updated frequently, see the COVID-19 page.   For a summary of unemployment programs both state and federal, please view the online matrix. Please note that those in orange are not yet available in Maine but will be in the future. The new temporary federal programs are complex, and we are working to implement them as quickly as possible. Those who have exhausted all available benefits already or are self-employed should wait to file a claim for benefits. Since these programs have not been implemented yet, filing at this point will only result in a denial. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available. Once implemented, benefits will be paid retroactively. If you have already enrolled in the current program, you should continue filing your weekly certifications.

 

 

Local chambers of commerce launch Pay It Forward Maine

As businesses and employers try to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and several local and regional chambers of commerce across the state have launched Pay It Forward Maine.   "In this unprecedented time, we know everyone is feeling the financial impact, especially our small businesses who make up 99% of our business community in the state," Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release. "We want to make sure that when we get to the other side of this pandemic, our local businesses are still there for us. So, we need to be there for them now. This campaign will allow our community to rally, as they always do in times of crises and hardship, and discover ways they can still support their favorite establishments over the next few months."   As part of the campaign, individuals are asked to continue supporting local businesses by buying gift cards, gift certificates or passes to use when the storefronts are open again; use take-out, delivery or drive through options at restaurants; purchase merchandise and goods online or volunteer to deliver products to those in need; pass out meals for local students or provide child-care or instruction for children whose parents are busy working.

 

 

Connecting through the Airwaves
	At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2020, The Bottom Line podcast will host U.S. Senator Angus King. The Senator joins The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss the federal programs available to eligible Maine businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. To listen, scroll down to "Listen Online" at www.williamsbroadcasting.net. Note: Normally, The Bottom Line is recorded twice per month. For the time being, the podcast will be recorded weekly on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
In case you missed this morning's 6:30 a.m. interview, Dana Connors spoke with WVOM's Ric Tyler encouraging businesses to prepare now for the CARES Act loans application process.

 

 

Legal Matters to Consider in a Pandemic
Several of our members have assembled comprehensive legal information to help you navigate in the unprecedented and unpredictable times. These are not endorsements or promotions, simply a sharing of information and resources.
	Littler's COVID-19 Task Force is here to help employers confront the workplace challenges related to the global spread of the novel coronavirus. With years of experience counseling clients worldwide on workplace safety and health, leave and accommodation, policies and procedures and other employment and labor law issues, our team of attorneys can provide practical advice and strategies for these challenging times.
	With so much information, so many decisions and so little time to address issues raised by the coronavirus pandemic, you need help at your fingertips.� Pierce Atwood has compiled a directory of Pierce Atwood COVID-19 attorneys who are knowledgeable on the various questions and challenges you may be confronting. We will continue to add information and updates about the specific topics regularly.
	As the global COVID-19 public health emergency continues to spread and create challenges for businesses worldwide, Verrill leaders have been meeting daily to share information from leading health authorities, governments, and global and local businesses. The firm is also closely monitoring the response of our law firm peers and leading companies in our communities.

 

 

To unsubscribe, click here.

Notice: In an ongoing effort to thwart the activities of online hackers, the Maine State Chamber has researched and tested the links in this document and determined that they are safe.