COVID-19 for Businesses, Organizations and Employees

• Fairfax County increases funds for RISE grants to $58M
• Governor expands Rebuild VA guidelines to help more businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19

Key Information

Workers should follow basic actions that include: 

• Follow social distancing guidelines, staying six feet apart from other people. 
• Wear a cloth face covering in public when it’s difficult to stay six-feet apart from others. 
• Wash your hands and cover you cough and sneezes, along with these other simple actions. 
• Stay home if you’re sick.  
• Drive alone to work sites or parking areas — don’t carpool. 

Employees can file COVID-19-related health safety complaints with the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program. 

Limiting Workplace Violence Associated with COVID-19 Prevention Policies in Retail and Services Businesses (CDC)

Unemployment Compensation

If you have lost employment and seek compensation you may apply online at the Virginia Employment Commission website or call the VEC Customer Contact Center by calling 1-866-832-2363, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. You must continue to file for unemployment compensation each week you are unemployed.

Have Questions About Employment Law/Rules?

Virginia State Government has provided answers to frequently asked questions received from workers regarding employment impacted by COVID-19

Beginning with claims effective March 15, 2020, Governor Northam has directed the Virginia Employment Commission to change the requirements regarding the one week waiting period and the requirement to conduct a weekly job search both be suspended for those receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

Virginia Career Works Centers

Virginia Career Works Centers, a  comprehensive system of employment and training services and resources, are available to job seekers and employers in Northern Virginia.

Services listed below can be accessed via web-based and telephone options:

• Tools, resources and assistance for job searches, interview preparation and career advancement.
• Access to a bank of online employment resources and education and training options.
• Workforce information and local labor market information.
• Career coaching.
• Live job-seeker webinars.

Contact the centers below Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.:

• Alexandria: 703-704-6286, DFSVCWAlexandria@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Annandale: 703-533-5400, DFSVCWAnnandale@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Reston: 703-787-4974, DFSVCWReston@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Fairfax: 703-324-7280, DFSVJC@fairfaxcounty.gov

For more information, visit our Department of Family Services webpage.

Are you waiting for your IRS payment? Check out the “IRS Get My Payment Tracker”: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

For Human Services support, the Fairfax County Human Services Resource Guide (HSRG) provides information regarding emergency food and other assistance.

• Additionally, call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880, TTY 711, for help, Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To apply for benefits like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, go to the Virginia Department of Social Services or call 855-635-4370; to renew your Medicaid by phone call 855-242-8282.

What Should I Know About Teleworking?

Virginia offers resources & recommendations regarding best practices for teleworking.

U.S. Department of Labor Sick Leave Guidance

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the second federal stimulus bill) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for COVID-19 related reasons. The Department of Labor has released guidance and FAQs to explain who is covered and for how long.

What is the Current Status of Child Care Facilities?

The State of Virginia Department of Social Services has detailed info on childcare, including policy updates and FAQs.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s August guidance clarifies when an employee may take family leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This guidance addresses issues related to the reopening of schools and the varying approaches school districts have taken with remote learning and staggered classes. See question #70.

Artist Relief Fund

The Artist Relief Fund is a $10 million national emergency relief fund for artists and creative workers affected by COVID-19, offering $5,000 no-strings-attached grants for those earning income from creative or artistic practice. Learn More.

Virginia 30 Day Fund

The nonprofit Virginia 30 Day Fund provides forgivable loans for Virginia-based small businesses. The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum three days) to meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees and save jobs while they await recently approved federal funding. Virginia-based businesses that having been operating for at least one year with 3 to 30 employees, and owned and operated are eligible to apply. Please visit the online application to apply. Learn More.

Main Street Lending Program

The Federal Reserve designed a program to help banks support small and medium sized businesses that were unable to access the PPP or that require additional financial support after receiving a PPP loan. Main Street loans are not forgivable. To obtain a loan under the Program, borrowers must contact their local bank.

Payroll Tax Deferral for Employers

Have questions about how the Payroll Tax Deferral works for employers? The payroll tax deferral outlined in President Trump's August 8 Presidential Memorandum goes into effect September 1st. Learn More.

DOL Posters for Remote Workers

Are DOL Posters Still Required with Employees Working at Home? Remote working comes with a whole new set of management challenges. Click through for some easy and inexpensive ways on handling requirements for poster compliance for your remote employees.

Dominion Energy Virginia

Dominion Energy Virginia is pledging $500,000 to help provide energy bill relief for small businesses, nonprofits, and houses of worship in its Virginia service territory. The program funding will be covered by shareholders and will not impact customer rates. Qualified businesses may be eligible to receive one-time assistance with their past due Dominion Energy electric bill balances up to $1,000. Learn More. 

Rebuild Virginia Grants

The Rebuild VA Grant Fund is a program to help small businesses and non-profits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19, including restaurants, brick and mortar retail, exercise and fitness facilities, personal care and personal grooming services, entertainment and public amusement establishments, and campgrounds. Virginia has reworked the requirements for this grant to increase the eligibility for businesses who have previously received federal, state and local grants and loans. Learn More.

Lost Wages Assistance Program

Virginia has been approved for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance Program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Virginia to provide $300 per week, on top of regular unemployment benefits, to residents unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Virginia to implement a system to make this funding available. Learn More.

Prepare Your Workplace to Keep Your Employees Safe

Businesses should do their part to stop the spread of germs and protect employee health.

This flyer provides 6 simply ways you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Additional resources:

• The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published info on preparing workplaces for COVID-19.
  • OSHA flyer with information on how to keep you and your employees safe.
     
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers important guidance to businesses on how to reduce virus transmission among employees, how to maintain operations and keep workplaces healthy.
   
• Webinar: Keeping Your Workforce and Business Healthy During (and After) the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Whole Community Approach

Employee/Employer Paid Leave, FMLA, and Other Wage Questions

U.S Department of Labor - Wage and Hour discusses common issues employers and employees face when responding to influenza, pandemics, or other public health emergencies, and their effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
 

For direct small business counseling opportunities, please contact the Community Business Partnership. The Community Business Partnership (CBP) is a non-profit organization working in collaboration with a number of local, regional and national organizations, educational and support services to small businesses in Fairfax County.

CBP staff are now pivoting to provide full time and virtual in-person counseling. Sign up for information and counseling sessions.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is partnering with the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center and Start Small Think Big on the COVID-19 Pro Bono Collaborative, an initiative to provide free legal assistance to small businesses in Northern Virginia during the COVID-19 pandemic, including help with federal assistance, grant and loan programs, leases and employment issues.

The George Mason University Small Business Development Center (Mason SBDC) is available to assist businesses with questions and information regarding preparing and understanding what is needed for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans now that Virginia is approved by the SBA.

SCORE, a non-profit resource funded by the U.S. Small Business Association, offers free confidential business counseling via phone, email and a variety of video and chat services. They also offer free, live and recorded webinars as well as interactive courses on demand.

ABC Licensing

Already providing food pick-up/delivery options? With an on- and off-premise retail license from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, you can add beer or beer and wine to you pick-up/delivery menu. click here for details: https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/get-a-license/retail-licenses/on-and-off-premise

For the latest food establishment owner/operator information and tips, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus.

The Fairfax County Office for Children has a host of resources for Child Care providers and programs.

Visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/ofc-covid-19-updates
 

Are you in the Richmond Highway Corridor? Add your information to the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation’s COVID business directory: https://sfdc.org/

Are you in Herndon? Add your info to the Restaurant & Grocery Store Directory: https://www.herndon-va.gov/departments/communications-economic-development/restaurants-open-for-business

Fairfax First provides a continually updated collection of interesting events and resources for residents to engage with local businesses and keep themselves entertained, like the FXVA Take Out Trail, which provides coupons and updates on local restaurants, breweries and wineries.