COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses

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Resources for Small Businesses

 

  • NYC Vaccine for All: New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions can make appointments at state-run mass vaccination sites. For a full list of eligible groups, visit the State's website. Eligible New Yorkers can find vaccination locations and make appointments online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or by calling 877-VAX4NYC for assistance in multiple languages. For the latest information, please consult the City’s Vaccine Command Center.

  • #BwayVax: Live performance/film/TV workers can get vaccinated via The Actors Fund at The Broadway Vaccination Site starting April 14. To schedule an appointment, please call 917-281-5937 or email vaccines@actorsfund.org to speak with someone who can help you.

  • Cultural Institutions and City of New York employees COVID Vaccine Eligibility information (as of March 17, 2021)

  • Curtains Up NYC, a program partnership of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and NYC Department of Small Business Services, offers free technical assistance to live-performance venues, organizations and workers applying for the federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), also known as Save Our Stages.

  • Open Culture, launched in partnership with Citywide Events Coordination and Management/Street Activity Permit Office, NYC Department of Transportation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and MOME, will permit outdoor cultural performances on designated city streets this spring. Arts and cultural institutions, as well as entertainment venues, can secure a permit for single day, socially distanced performances at over 100 street locations throughout all five boroughs.

  • MOME and the Office of Nightlife held a "Town Call" for NYC Arts, Entertainment, Hospitality and Nightlife businesses (January 21, 2021). MOME Commissioner, Anne del Castillo hosted representatives from Small Business Administration-New York, NYC Department of Small Business Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, NYC Human Resources Administration, the Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning, and the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

  • The Office of Nightlife held a Public Health and Dining Guidelines Town Call (November 18, 2020), with representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Test & Trace, Small Businesses Services, and other City agencies.

  • MOME and the Office of Nightlife held a Town Call" about current guidelines for indoor and outdoor dining (October 20, 2020), with representatives from Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Transportation, Department of Small Business Services, Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, Office of Special Enforcemen, Department of Buildings, and Fire Department.

  • MOME held a "Town Call" for Businesses, Employers and Entrepreneurs in Film/TV, Music, Theatre, Advertising, Publishing, Digital Content and Nightlife (May 1, 2020). MOME Commissioner, Anne del Castillo hosted representatives from Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning, NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) currently offers: First Draw PPP Loans for first time program participants, and; Second Draw PPP Loans for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan.

  • The State issued new guidelines for reopening in New York City (as of March 20, 2021):
    • As of March 19, indoor dining will expand to 50% capacity.
    • Starting March 22, the social gathering limits change as follows: Public spaces - Indoors: 100 people, Outdoors: 200 people; Residences: Indoors: 10 people (no change), Outdoors: 25 people.
    • Also on March 22, indoor fitness classes and dance studios can begin reopening statewide at 33% capacity with health screening and contact information required at sign-in.
    • Starting March 26, indoor family and entertainment centers and places of amusement can reopen at 25% capacity.
    • Starting April 1, large performing arts and sports venues can reopen. Outdoor venues with 2,500+ capacity are capped at 20%; indoor venues with 1,500+ capacity are capped at 10%.
    • Starting April 2, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. If all attendees present proof of negative test prior to entry, capacity can increase up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors.
    • Starting April 5, the 11 p.m. curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted. The 11 p.m. curfew for food and beverage establishments and the 12 a.m. curfew for catered events will remain in effect.
    • Starting April 9, outdoor amusement parks can reopen at 33% capacity. Amusement parks must submit reopening plans with health protocols to the New York City Health Department.

  • The Office of Nightlife held a Public Health and Dining Guidelines Town Call (November 18, 2020), with representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Test & Trace, Small Businesses Services, and other City agencies.

  • NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) launched Fair Share NYC, offering free webinars, technical assistance and access to lenders to help businesses interested in applying for PPP loans. For more information, visit nyc.gov/PPP or call 888-SBS-4NYC.

  • The NYC Small Business Resource Network offers free, personalized, one-on-one assistance to help small businesses navigate a range of challenges involving technology, real estate, legal and finance, new regulations, and more.

  • NYC Department of Small Business Services offers three mentorship programs, which will provide industry experts as guides for current and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to start and grow a business in a post-COVID era: Small Business Mentors NYC; Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) Mentors; and BE NYC Mentors for Black entrepreneurs.

  • MOME and the Office of Nightlife Town Calls on the impact of COVID-19 on media, entertainment and nightlife businesses and workers (archive list).

  • MOME Nightlife Town Calls for Businesses: Office of Nightlife held a "Town Call" for Owners and Managers in the nightlife community featuring representatives from NYC Department of Small Business Services, Small Business Administration (SBA) NY District Office, and the NYC Hospitality Alliance. All Town Calls can be accessed on the Office of Nightlife website. Additional Resources for Nightlife Community.

  • Small Business Services provides guidance for NYC Small businesses affected by COVID-19.

  • Free Webinars for Small Businesses: The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers a wide range of free events, courses, and mentor sessions to provide information about requirements and guidelines to re-opening, emergency preparedness, financial assistance, certification for minority and women business owners, regulatory changes, employee support, licensing, inspections, and more. They also have a small business hotline—888-SBS-4NYC or 888-727-4692—to answer questions about the latest guidelines and regulations.

  • The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers information about reopening requirements and health and safety guidelines for the workplace, including FAQs for NYC Workers and an update about workplace laws for employers and employees to stop the spread of COVID-19. In addition, they have set up a Worker Protection Hotline at 311 or 1-212-436-0381 for questions about reopening or to report an employer that is not following reopening requirements.

  • Free face coverings for small businesses: DCWP and SBS also are working with business-serving partner organizations throughout the five boroughs to distribute free face coverings citywide to small businesses and their employees.

  • The NYC PPE + Reopening Supplies Marketplace provides a one-stop-shop for easy-to-access suppliers of (i) face masks and coverings, (ii) face shields, (iii) gloves, (iv) cleaning and disinfectant products, (v) physical barriers and portable furniture, and (vi) other supplies needed for re-opening. It represents both local and national suppliers and manufacturers to provide a wide range of order minimums.

  • The COVID-19 Small Business Remote Legal Clinic (the CV-19 Clinic) of the New York City Bar Justice Center's Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project will offer free legal consultations to small business owners to help them understand and act upon options available under the federal government's COVID-19 stimulus package and other opportunities available through federal, state and local programs.

  • The NYC Office of the Comptroller has compiled a list of private grants and financial assistance to help small businesses navigate the crisis.