KEEPING CURRENT ON BEST PRACTICES DURING COVID-19

Your Best References & Helpful Links

There’s so much to keep track of as businesses reopen and stay open during the pandemic. Fortunately, public health officials and safety experts are staying ahead of the situation and making the best recommendations given current knowledge. Please reference the following so you’re confident your business is following the most up-to-date protocol.

Public Health Resources

Safe Travel Resources

Industry Guidance for Promoting Health and Safety of all Travelers from the U.S. Travel Association

For Restaurants & Bars

For Hotels & Lodging

For Attractions, Services & Retail

IN Government Resources

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses in your state that are suffering substantial economic loss as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The attached press release will outline the details on the governor certification that makes SBA assistance available for the entire state.

Please share with your local contacts. SBA appreciates your assistance in getting this very important time sensitive message out to the business community. We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.

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. For complete details on SBA, visit www.sba.gov.

SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process at
1-800-659-2955.

COVID-19 Response Program now open

Thank you to those who joined the COVID-19 Response Program webinar hosted by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The new COVID-19 Response Program page contains:

a copy of the PowerPoint used during the webinar;
today’s webinar recording;
program components and information.

If you have any questions related to this program, please email info@ocra.in.gov or contact your respective Community Liaison.

Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the Secretary of Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov.

If you know of an entrepreneur or business that has been or anticipates being impacted by the coronavirus, please ask them to complete this form President Trump has allocated $50 billion to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. For Hoosiers to gain access to this funding, we need to collect small business economic impact data from every county in Indiana so that Governor Holcomb can declare an economic injury disaster. Information obtained from this form will only be used to assist in requesting an economic injury disaster declaration from the SBA and identifying greatest areas of need.
If you are looking for information and guidance, we suggest you visit the following links:Indiana Department of Labor COVID-19 Guidelines and FAQs
State of Indiana COVID-19 Response
Small Business Administration Guidance for employers
Webinar: COVID-19 Guidance for Individuals & Employers, presented by the Indianapolis Bar Association
SBA Economic Disaster Loans
COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing Information Department of Labor (DOL) Compensation Program

HOW THE AMERICAN WORKER CAN SURVIVE FINANCIALLY DURING THE NEXT 3 MONTHS

A Guide To Find Work During The Coronavirus Pandemic

How do you find a job when you can’t even leave your apartment?

While the coronavirus has many practicing social distance, it also has hundreds of thousands out of work and unsure what to do next. While their jobs have stopped, their bills haven’t.

Zippia created the most robust remote job search engine to help people from all backgrounds find work from home jobs.

In addition, we have all the resources outlined to help you survive this period of unemployment financially and a guide on what you should do next to secure a job.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE MONEY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS?

In the following sections, we provide you with a set of remote and work from home jobs you can apply for. We also let you know about online platforms that hire freelancers and contractors quickly in case you need to start making money right away.

BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPEN AND HIRING

While hiring may have halted in many industries, some businesses are experiencing an increase in demand and are hiring in high numbers.

If you are elderly, high-risk, have been exposed to the virus, or are uncomfortable with leaving your home, you can jump down to work from home jobs. Otherwise, here are the brick-and-mortar companies and business types where it will be easiest to find a traditional job.

Essential Industries – Businesses That Will Remain Open During The Crisis.

Essential industries may vary by city and state. However, in general, any business that supports necessary functions will remain open during restrictions.

Supermarkets and grocery stores
Pharmacies
Convenience stores/Gas stations
Hardware stores
Healthcare operations
Daycare centers/Childcare
Sanitation
Manufacturing Of Essential Goods
Mail services
Agriculture
Veterinarians/Pet stores
Auto-mechanic Shops

Large Businesses That Have Announced They Are Hiring Nationally:Amazon

Amazon is hiring 100,000 in warehouses, fulfillment, and delivery to handle increased demand. Pay starts at $15/hour or more, depending on the region. Throughout the month of April, workers will receive a $2 per hour bonus. You can see available jobs here.Dollar General

Dollar General is hiring 50,000 new workers by the end of April. Job openings include in store and distribution positions. 75 percent of Americans live within 5 miles of a Dollar General store, meaning there is a good chance they have a position open near you. You can see job opportunities here.Domino’s

Domino’s will be hiring 10,000 workers to meet the increased demand for pizza delivery. The company is hiring for delivery drivers, cooks, managers, and licensed trucker drivers for its supply chain. Deliver drivers need their own car and current insurance. You can see job opportunities here.CVS

CVS has announced they are hiring 50,000 new workers. The new positions include in store jobs, distribution, delivery, and customer service. During the pandemic, part-time employees receive 24 hours of paid sick leave. If you are quarantined, you are eligible to receive 14 days paid leave. You can learn more about CVS job opportunities here.Costco

Customers buying in bulk have resulted in empty shelves at Costco and a need for more workers. Costco’s hourly base pay is $15/hr. You can see available jobs here.Papa John’s

Papa John’s is hiring 20,000 team members immediately. The company is hiring for most positions including drivers, cooks, and managers. For customer and worker safety, the company is doing no contact delivery to limit exposure. Drivers need a car and active insurance. Applicants can expect to interview as early as soon as the day they apply. You can learn more about Papa John’s jobs here.Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut is hiring 30,000 workers to keep up with increased pizza demand. Job opportunities include managers, cooks, and delivery drivers. Delivery drivers need a car and insurance to get started. Hiring is being expedited, with training now only taking 5 hours before new drivers are on the road. You can learn more about Pizza Hut job opportunities here.Instacart

Instacart is an on-demand grocery delivery startup that offers same day groceries delivery to your house. Much like the pizza companies mentioned above, increased demand has led to the need to hire 300,000 workers. You need access to a smartphone and vehicle to become a Shopper for the service. According to reported data, you can expect to make about $7-20/hr working for the service. You can apply here.Walmart

In addition to giving existing workers bonuses, Walmart has announced they are hiring 150,000 temporary workers to help meet demand. Walmart’s starting pay is $11, however it is higher in some locations. Currently, the company is expediting applications. You can learn more about Walmart job opportunities here.

These are not the only companies hiring. Essential businesses such as your local grocery store and other regional companies may also be hiring. Search here to see other options in your area.

ONLINE JOBS YOU CAN DO WITH LITTLE TO NO EXPERIENCE

Data Entry Associate

Data entry is a job that can be done entirely online. The primary job of a data entry consultant is to input information into a database or other platform. The average annual salary for data entry is $33,000.Medical Biller Coder

Medical biller coders manage confidential health information making sure it is accurate. Medical billers navigate the complicated insurance and medicare/medicaid world. While many medical billing jobs require some type of certification or experience, there is entry level work available. The average medical biller coder salary is $33,000/yr. Similar positions include medical coding technician and healthcare information coder.Customer Service Agent

Customer service agents or customer service representatives handle customer complaints, process orders, and answer customer questions. Customer service agents work both over the phone and through chatboxes. There is also a lot of work for those seeking remote customer service work in answering and sending emails. A large portion of customer requests come through email platforms, and because they can be accessed from anywhere with the internet, remote agents are ideal candidates for handling those requests.Customer service agents only need a high school diploma and receive on the job training. 25% of customer service agents’ last job was cashier– meaning it is an ideal fit for a former retail worker looking for a remote job. The average salary of $30,000 a year.Telemarketer

Telemarketers (sometimes referred to as online sales representatives) make or receive inbound calls, using the phone to build customer relationships and sell goods or services. Telemarketers spend the vast majority of their day on the phone. This job is ideal for those who enjoy dealing with people and can handle calls that may turn unpleasant. Telemarketers can expect to earn $30,000 a year.Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants perform routine secretarial duties, that include organizing files, scheduling events, support activities, and other tasks. While high school graduates can work as virtual assistants they need to be familiar with computer programs to land a job. The annual salary is $27,000.Order Specialist

The main job of an order specialist is to insure customers receive their goods in a timely manner. Order specialists are in a customer facing role, interacting with customers via email and over the phone. Order specialists typically only need a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job. While the average pay is $52,000 a year, entry level workers can expect to earn less.Online Tutor

Online teaching and tutoring have become hugely popular ways of working from remote locations. As more and more cultures have the resources to learn different languages, the need for this type of position has skyrocketed. But languages aren’t the only thing that students are turning to the internet to learn and get help with. The main responsibilities of online tutors is to drill students in whatever they want to become familiar or proficient in, whether it be mathematics, language, history, etc. Online teachers are expected to uphold professional standards and be very familiar with the material they are teaching. Online tutors can expect to get paid anywhere from $10-$30/hr, depending on experience.