Skip Navigation or Skip to Content
Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce logo
Email Us
Join US

COVID-19

COVID Effect - Your Up To Date Business Resources. GDCC is closely tracking the impact of the Coronavirus for our businesses and our community. Visit our dedicated page for resources on how your business and family can plan for and respond to the virus.

COVID Effect - Your Up To Date Business Resources

​GDCC is closely tracking the impact of the Coronavirus for our businesses and our community. Below are resources for advice on how your business and family can plan for and respond to the virus. We will update this page as information becomes available. With the U.S. now reporting a number of COVID-19 cases, it’s important that businesses of all sizes and sectors continue to monitor the situation and are as prepared as possible to protect the health of their workers. ​

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China, and reported by the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019. Around the globe, the Coronavirus is receiving heightened attention for infecting tens of thousands of people. The respiratory illness caused by a Coronavirus is thought to spread between people who are in close contact with one another (about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on common surfaces or in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. ​​

Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019. Protect yourself and your community from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like Coronavirus disease 2019. Everyone has a role to play in getting ready and staying healthy. ​

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Business Resources

All employers should be implementing strategies to protect their workforce from the coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations.

6/9/20 - "Navigating the New Normal." Webinar

5/4/20 Senator Chris Murphy Video Conference Call

4/28/20 COVID and the Media Webinar

4/23/20 Governor Lamont Webinar

4/16/2020 COVID 19 Business Update Conference Call

4/13/2020 COVID 19 Business Update Conference Call

4/9/2020 COVID 19 Business Update Conference Call

4/2/2020 COVID 19 Business Update Conference Call

03/30/2020 From the office of U.S. Connecticut State Senator Chris Murphy

At the end of last week, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act - a third COVID-19 relief package was signed into law. To help answer some of the many questions about what is in the CARES Act and how you may get assistance, our office has put together an FAQ.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor is providing compliance assistance to employers and employees on their responsibilities and rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

3/26/2020 COVID 19 Business Update Conference Call

From the Office of Governor Ned Lamont:

Frequently Asked Questions on the State of Connecticut’s actions related to COVID-19 VIEW PDF

From Nelson Merchan, the voice of the local Small Business Development Center, he says:

The Small Business Development Center in Connecticut provides free/valuable/confidential business advising in CT. We assist our clients to apply for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. We help our clients access capital from community/regional/national banks, non-profits and other lenders. If you are committed to creating a company, we are here to guide you. People who want to take advantage of this free service hosted by the Danbury Chamber, please register to “request business advising” here https://ctsbdc.com/covid19-businessresourcecenter/. We do the meetings over the phone or video for the time being.

CDC: ​Interim Guidance for Business and Employers

US Dept of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA | COVID-19 Safety and Health Standards, Control & Prevention External Link

An overview of information for workers and employers, including links to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and control and prevention

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to the Coronavirus

Strategies and tips to protect your workforce

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Understanding the Coronavirus (Video)

Webinar about the impact of coronavirus on the private sector and how companies should consider their response, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Lamont Releases Phase 2-June 17th Directives

Small Business Resources and Federal Stimulus Program Info

Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association. Find the latest employer guidance, resources, and information on the coronavirus epidemic.

​Recommended sources of authoritative, up-to-date advisories include: CBIA, SHRM, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Connecticut Department of Public Health, OSHA, Ready.gov, and local public health authorities.

CBIA: AN EMPLOYERS GUIDE

ATTENTION ALL BUSINESSES!

How is your company addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19? Your feedback is critical and will help direct the response from the Governor and state Department of Economic and Community Development in conjunction with Advance Connecticut and CBIA. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be reported in aggregate. We appreciate your participation during this difficult time. https://www.research.net/r/COVID19BizSurvey

Gov. Lamont to close all restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters due to state’s coronavirus outbreak (3/16/2020)

Governor Lamont mandated that "Restaurants and bars will be allowed to continue food delivery and takeout, while supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and other essential businesses will remain open."

Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce

ATTENTION LOCAL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

Attached please find a COVER LETTER from Patrick McCormack, Director of Health.

UPDATED Cafeteria guidance from Governor Ned Lamont

3/18: Tommy Hyde, Director of Government Affairs & Special Projects: I wanted to reach out and share some updated guidance from the Governor’s office regarding onsite company cafeterias. Please pass along to your membership asap.

The Governor’s Executive Order restricting restaurants and other eating establishments to take out or delivery service does not require onsite workplace cafeterias to close or stop serving food. Employees in general are encouraged to bring their own meals to work if possible rather than using such facilities. To the extent feasible, employers are encouraged to permit or require employees who order food at workplace cafeterias to eat those meals in private work spaces. If employers permit employees to eat food within workplace cafeterias, they should implement appropriate social distancing measures and make every effort to minimize the number of people congregating within a confined space or area.

In addition, workplace cafeterias should stop or limit self-serve food and drinks such as:

  • Buffets
  • Salad bars
  • Soups
  • Fountain sodas
  • Coffee
  • Reusable food and drink containers

Breads, muffins and pastries and other similar items should be pre-wrapped.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)​.​ Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. ​For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Covid Quick Facts and World Tracker

Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce
Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce

​Shareable social graphics​

On how to keep families, schools, and businesses safe, and what to do if you get sick provided by the ​​U.S. Chamber of Commerce

World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

​On this website you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Please visit this page for daily updates.

CT.gov: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Business Resources

​State and Federal Guidance

Additional updates:

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Connecticut small businesses suffering substantial economic injury, since January 31, 2020 and continuing, as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA issued Disaster Declaration CT-00046, for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, following a request from Governor Ned Lamont on March 15, 2020.

This disaster declaration makes the SBA EIDL Program available throughout the entire state of Connecticut. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid due to the impact of the Coronavirus.

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.

For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus and https://ctsbdc.com/covid19-businessresourcecenter/

March 16: SBA Working Capital Loans Available Due to Coronavirus.pdf

March 16: SBA Working Capital Loans Available Due to Coronavirus.pdf SPANISH

​Coronavirus Closures: Connecticut Schools Closed or Impacted

Local Resources

The City of Danbury

Local and up-to-date resources for the community.