COVID-19

TESTING SITE INFORMATION

Many testing sites require appointments and are seeing a backlog of results – this information can be found HERE.

REOPENING RESOURCES

You can find a compiled list of resources to help with the re-opening of our local businesses HERE. Please check this list frequently as we will continue to modify.

CHAMBER WEBINARS

De-escalation & Safety Practices for Employees and EmployersA de-escalation webinar with Kennebunk Police Detective Stephen Borst offering tips for de-escalation and safety.

PPP Forgiveness UpdateIn partnership with the KKA Chamber of Commerce, Paper Trails gives an update on the PPP Forgiveness loan program.

“Thinking Outside the Box during COVID-19” 
Local businesses have had to get REALLY creative REALLY FAST, and many local leaders have risen to the occasion. Here, reps from Spurling Fitness, Duffy’s Tavern & Grill – Kennebunk, The Blue, Smith & Company Realty and C.A. Smith Photography share what they’ve been doing to help serve the community and help their businesses survive.

Social Messaging In A Pandemic 2020
Communicating change through social channels, presented by Alaina LeBlanc Tridente of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce

COVID-19 Human Resources Issues
Thank you, Chris Cluff and Paper Trails, for presenting “HR topics for COVID-19.” In this two-part video, Chris covers back-to-basic HR topics, unemployment information, FFCRA rules, CARES act provisions, work from home options and more! In addition, you’ll be given many important document templates to help you navigate HR issues during COVID-19.

COVID-19 Financing, Loans, Q & A With Brad Paige, CEO Of Kennebunk Savings
Kennebunk Savings CEO and President Brad Paige and Senior Vice President of Commercial Credit Lex Meagher tackle “COVID-19 Financing and Loans Q & A

“PHYSICAL CHECK-UP: Staying fit keeping active during COVID-19”
Remember, you can’t take care of others unless you take care of yourself first, especially during quarantine. A panel discussion on staying physically fit (virtually) during quarantine, featuring Kim Lloyd of Spurling Fitness, Tiffany Lathrop of The Daily Sweat, and Richard and Heather Evans of Quest Fitness.

“MENTAL CHECK-UP”: Staying mentally fit during COVID-19

“Cleaning and Organizing during a Pandemic”
So many practical yet simple steps to take protecting your family when it comes to cleaning your home from Marina DeMarco and Marina Cleaning Services. And inspirational and easy-to-do tips on organizing your home from Lisa Luken at Simple Joy Living, LLC. All in the Chamber’s webinar filmed live via ZOOM on Friday, April 24. Thanks for tuning in!

Resume Reboot
Out of work, or just entering the workforce as a recent grad? Anush Hansen of Kennebunk Counseling runs you through best practices when writing your resume.

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Newsletter on restaurant closing, unemployment

Newletter on SBA loans, assistance

Applying for an SBA disaster Loan

SBA Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Maine DECD information sheets

Bernstein Shur webinar for employers on legal issues with COVID-19

Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201 summary from Sen. Collins’ office

CDC

Maine CDC

CDC Guidance For Healthcare Facilities

Red Cross tips/supplies list

OSHA on preparing workplaces for COVID-19

RSU COVID-19 page

UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

From the State of Maine:

Regarding unemployment, the Governor has proposed new legislation that would enhance the flexibility of the Unemployment Insurance program to address issues that arise during a public health emergency. We expect that the bill will be taken up by the Legislature on Tuesday, March 17. Once final action on the new bill is taken, the Department will post information about the adjustments to the program as well as answers to common questions.

For the time being, the Department advises all individuals who are out of work either partially or totally to visit www.maine.gov/unemployment/ to file a claim. The Department will update this page once the legislation is enacted. Please check back to the site above.

Background on the Governor’s proposed unemployment insurance bill:

It would temporarily revise eligibility requirements to include situations not typically covered unemployment insurance, such as:
An employer temporarily ceases operation due to COVID-19
An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work once the quarantine is over
An individual leaves employment due to the risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member

Please note, the proposed legislation is not intended to provide sick leave or short-term disability payments.
The bill would also waive the work search requirement for individuals still connected to their employer and would waive the one-week waiting period so that benefits will be available sooner.

In addition, any benefits paid under these provisions would not affect the employer’s experience rating record. These measures will help relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation, and medically-necessary quarantine on Maine workers and small businesses.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA)

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Eligibility
When a major disaster has been declared by the President, DUA is generally available to any unemployed worker or self-employed individual who lived, worked, or was scheduled to work in the disaster area at the time of the disaster; and due to the disaster: no longer has a job or a place to work; or cannot reach the place of work; or cannot work due to damage to the place of work; or cannot work because of an injury caused by the disaster. An individual who becomes the head of household and is seeking work because the former head of household died as a result of the disaster may also qualify for DUA benefits.

Click HERE for more information