Resources for Grocery Stores:
 
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Resources for Grocery Stores:


Do you need help finding new employees during COVID19?


NYC’s Small Business Services can help you find employees with the right skills who live close to your businesses.

SBS can also help you access other services such as connecting grocery store employees to child care service and answering questions about social distancing.

Create an SBS account and fill out a form and someone from SBS will get back to you.

You can find additional resources to support grocery stores here:


1. NYC provided - childcare for grocery workers.



The City is offering free childcare for the children of grocery store workers, with at least two sites in every school district. Childcare will be offered Monday-Friday, from 7:30am-6:00pm. The centers will provide children with three daily hot meals, remote learning time with their teachers, activities like art, music, and physical education, and social and emotional support.


Grocery workers who are New York City residents and would like to enroll in one of these centers need to complete this REC Enrollment Form. The form needs to be completed for every child, and the worker will then receive an email confirming your child’s center assignment.


2. Getting tested for COVID-19



While testing capacity is limited, essential food workers are being given priority for COVID19 testing. To screen a test, essential food workers can either:


  • Call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov/ to be screened for eligibility.
  • Call New York City’s testing hotline 1-888-ONEMED1 or go to onemedical.com and use code NYCCARE30.

3. Online healthcare services & paid sick leave



NYC Health + Hospitals provides care to all, regardless of immigration status, insurance status or ability to pay. Call 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692) or 311.


New Yorkers who have had to miss work because they were sick because of COVID-19 can claim paid sick leave and use the City’s Call Center to obtain the necessary medical documentation Call 855-491-2667 to get documentation.


4. What are the legal requirements for grocery stores on face coverings?



  • Grocery stores are legally obligated to provide face coverings to employees.
  • If grocery stores decide to require face coverings for customers, they are legally required to offer a reasonable accommodation if the customer has a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask.
  • Failing to offer a reasonable accommodation in violation of the NYC Human Rights Law, state law or the ADA, can result in civil penalties.

For more information, review the FAQ here.


5. Connecting with suppliers of face masks and cleaning supplies



The City is supporting grocery stores and other essential food workers by connecting them with suppliers of face masks and cleaning supplies. Any inquiries should be directed to: COVID19grocerystoresupport@cityhall.nyc.gov