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COVID-19 RETAIL: RECOVERY AND REBOUND

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(UPDATED as of 5/19/2020 at 8 AM)

Your one-stop resource for the necessary information for Maine retailers. We work with state and federal agencies as well as other state and national trade associations like NRF, RILA, FMI & others. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with questions or suggestions to make this more helpful for you. You can email directly at curtis@retailmaine.org

Open Letter to Governor Mills (5/12)
Downloadable Store Sign Regarding Masks (Added 4/30)
Plan to Reopen Maine Retail / Recommendations from the Retail Association of Maine (added 4/28/2020)
State of Maine COVID-19 Resource Page (added 4/10)

SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL RESOURCES:

US Treasury Page on CARES Act (Added 3/31)
FAQ on the Paycheck Protection program (Added 3/31)
Need Help Transitioning to E-Commerce or Curbside Pick Up? Check out iBec Creative.
Emergency Loan Guide and Checklist courtesy of US Chamber of Commerce (added 3/30)
How to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans (Added 3/27)
Maine DECD List of Federal and State Financial Resources (Added 3/24)
Maine DECD List of Financial Programs Available to Maine Businesses (Added 3/24)
FAME COVID-19 Relief Loan Programs (added 3/19)
Information on CARES Act for Associations and Chambers of Commerce (Added 3/27)
Applying for US SBA Disaster Assistance Loans (added 3/17)
- Details on SBA Disaster Assistance Loans (added 3/13)

RELEVANT BUSINESS REGULATIONS IN PLACE:

Updated In-Store Gathering Limits for Essential Retailers - Effective Immediately (Added 4/10)
US DOL Alert to Keep Retailers Safe (added 4/10)
Cleaning Guide for Self Checkouts (added 4/6)
Cleaning Guide for Credit Card Machines (added 4/6)
FAQ on Sanitation / Disinfectant Products from RILA (added 4/2)
Updated List of Essential Business Operations (added 3/31, updated 4/3)
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Q&A from US Dept of Labor (added 3/30)
Precautions and Best Practices for Retailers from Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association (added 3/26, updated 3/31)
How to Request Essential Business designation (Added 3/25)
Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations on Essential Businesses (Added 3/25)
Statement from Maine DEP on single use bags: In light of concerns about the use of multi-use bags during the current COVID 19 public health crisis, the Legislature's response to those concerns in L.D. 2167, and effects on Department resources, the Department will not be enforcing the statewide restrictions on the use of single-use bags in 38 M.R.S. § 1611 until January 15, 2021. As of March 17, 2020, State law preempts municipal regulation of single use bags; no local ordinance requiring a fee for, or otherwise restricting the use of, single use bags is in effect. (Added 3/24)
Food Safety FAQ from FMI (added 3/22)
Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Guidance (added 3/30) / Earlier version -> Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Guidance (added 3/22)
Updated Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Guidance (added 3/30)
Guidance for the Food Industry: Best Practices and Planning for Immediate Situation (added 3/17, courtesy of FMI)
CDC Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for Public Facilities (added 3/16)
Cleaning and Sanitation Guide for Food Retailers (from FMI, added 3/13)

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE WORKPLACE INFORMATION:

Direct Link to Maine Department of Labor Page for COVID-19 (added 3/18) - including applying for unemployment
Maine Department of Labor FAQ on Unemployment (added 3/24, UPDATED 3/25)
Direct Link to Apply for Unemployment (added 3/19)
Maine Department of Labor information for employers
US Department of Labor: Fact Sheet - Employee Paid Leave Rights (added 3/25)
US Department of Labor: Fact Sheet - Employer Paid Leave Requirements (added 3/25)
Link to Resources from Verrill Law - good information on a variety of subjects including a solid section for employers (added 3/25)
Link to Resources from our Workers' Comp Trust - good information on risk assessment, employer/employee issues and more (added 3/23)
Employer Obligations Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act - courtesy of Verril Law (added 3/20)
ME DECD Small Business Steps to Take During COVID-19 (added 3/17)
Bernstein Shur Legal Response FAQ for Employers on COVID-19 (added March 16, 2020) courtesy of Portland Region Chamber of Commerce
211 Now Available to Answer General Questions about COVID-19
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Discussion from 3/13 (added 3/14), YouTube link, 65 min runtime

GOVERNOR MILLS' ORDERS & PRESS RELEASES:

Governor Mills Press Release Announcing Stay Healthy at Home Mandate (added 4/1)
Text of Executive Order, March 31 (added 4/1)
Governor Mills Press Release Announcing Non-essential Business Closures (added 3/24)
Text of Executive Order, March 24 (added 3/24)
Governor Mills Executive Order to Close Restaurants Except for Take Out and other business impacts (added 3/18)
Text of Executive Order (added 3/18)
LD 2167, Governor Mills Omnibus Response to COVID-19 (added 3/17)
Governor Mills Price Gouging Declaration (added 3/17)
Maine's Price Gouging Law
Governor Mills's Press Release Announcing New Recommendations and Civil Emergency Declaration (Added 3/15)
Governor Mills Civil Emergency Proclamation (Added 3/15)
Governor Mills's Press Release Announcing Small Business Help (Added 3/15)
President Trump's Declaration of Emergency (Added 3/14)
Governor Mills's Emergency Proclamation, (Added 3/12)
Governor Mills's Insurance Emergency Response Order (Added 3/12)

Local Municipal Actions / Information

City of Augusta Order (added 3/27)
South Portland Order (added 3/26)
City of Portland Requirement to Stay at Home (Added 3/24)
Town of Brunswick List of Essential Businesses and Proclamation (Added 3/24)
City of Bangor Business Prohibition and List of Essential Businesses (added 3/22) Note: Bangor rescinded their order on 3/24

National Resources

US CDC & OTHER FEDERAL RESOURCES