Let Us Hear from You!
We Want to Hear from You!
The State Chamber/AIA wants to hear from you regarding what your business is doing during this time. Let us know your ideas, how your business is responding, questions that you might have, concerns, etc. By sharing these, we can all work together to respond to this situation in a timely, positive and constructive manner.
Coronavirus questions, ideas or stories to share?
Please submit a separate form for each category of questions, ideas or stories that you might have:
Preparation, Not Panic
As of March 18, Arkansas has reported 30 total known cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson ordered that all schools in Arkansas close on-site instruction until March 30 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hutchinson previously declared a public-health emergency in Arkansas. The state will soon be receiving $6.2 million in emergency funding for virus response recently approved by Congress.
Latest State and Federal News:
Gov. Hutchinson holds March 17 COVID-19 Press Conference:
$850 Billion Stimulus Package Would Offset Economic COVID-19 Damage
Smart people are working hard to figure out COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=I4IyVg_yphA
If you have concerns that you might have COVID-19 or been exposed to it, UAMS Health has a HealthNow website where you can get free online screening:
https://uamshealth.com/healthnow/
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is working with local, state and federal partners and has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus. Learn more.
Arkansas banks are proactively addressing COVID-19 impacts in Arkansas: https://aba.informz.net/ABA/data/images/PDF%20Documents/COVID-19%20Press%20Release_3.17.2020.pdf
Arkansas State Chamber member Dover Dixon Horne PLLC Attorneys at Law has developed an article titled “Employers and Coronavirus,” which provides guidance for businesses on COVID-19: https://www.arkansasstatechamber.com/news-publications/news-releases/employers-and-coronavirus/
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also recently issued the document “Guidance for Employers To Plan and Respond to Coronavirus (COVID 19)”: To access that, click here.
SBA Disaster Recovery Loans – The Federal Government has authorized $50 billion in disaster recovery loan funding to be administered by the US Small Business Administration. Has your business been affected by COVID-19? For the governor to activate and access the program funding so loans can be offered, we need your input on this survey so we know how many businesses need support. Access the survey here –> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RWBVSYK
The U.S. SBA has also provided an Economic Injury Worksheet for impacted businesses and private non-profits to fill out: https://www.arkansasstatechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Economic-Injury-Worksheet.pdf
Completed forms should be returned to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management at businesscovid19@adem.arkansas.gov.
Below are additional links that may be helpful for your business and organization:
Coronavirus in the Workplace: Health, Safety and Insurance Considerations:
An Employer’s Guide: Ten Considerations to Support Your Workforce:
https://mma.marshmma.com/l/644133/2020-03-06/jx9g5/644133/87414/CORONAVIRUS_MMB_FINAL.pdf
COVID-19 and Paid Leave: Three Scenarios to Plan For:
The Workers Compensation Impacts of 2019 Coronavirus:
Please scroll down for additional information and resources.
This page will be updated with new and relevant resources as they become available. If you have information that you would like to share with the Arkansas business community regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please e-mail us.
About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The CDC offers information on how Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads, symptoms, prevention and treatment, and what to do if you are sick, and frequently asked questions, including printable fliers.
Monitoring the Situation
This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance.
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center has a real-time map that tracks Coronavirus COVID-19 cases around the world: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
Travel > Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel (CDC)
This page offers current travel warnings, alerts and watches, as well as destinations with risk of community spread.
Plan and Prepare > Getting Started
Communicate with Employees (CDC)
With Coronavirus dominating the news, now is a good time to communicate with your employees. The CDC provides this interim guidance to help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19. Let your employees know you are monitoring the situation and share best practices for prevention and treatment.
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed this pandemic influenza planning guidance based upon traditional infection control and industrial hygiene practices. It is important to note that this guidance is intended for planning purposes and is not specific to a particular viral strain.
Business Continuity Planning
Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist (HHS & CDC)
Planning for pandemic influenza is critical. To assist you in your efforts, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed this checklist for large businesses. It identifies important, specific activities large businesses can do now to prepare, many of which will also help you in other emergencies.
Pandemic Preparedness Planning for U.S. Businesses with Overseas Operations (CDC)
The United States Government has created this guide to help U.S. businesses with overseas operations prepare and implement pandemic business continuity. This is a list of suggestions and can serve as a starting point for developing a comprehensive plan. The checklist highlights actions applicable to businesses of all sizes, although each item does not necessarily apply to every overseas business.
Legal Guidance on Workplace Pandemic Planning (EEOC)
This technical assistance document provides information about Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and pandemic planning in the workplace. It identifies established ADA principles that are relevant to questions frequently asked about workplace pandemic planning such as:
- How much information may an employer request from an employee who calls in sick, in order to protect the rest of its workforce when an influenza pandemic appears imminent?
- When may an ADA-covered employer take the body temperature of employees during a pandemic?
- Does the ADA allow employers to require employees to stay home if they have symptoms of the pandemic influenza virus?
- When employees return to work, does the ADA allow employers to require doctors’ notes certifying their fitness for duty?
Sample Pandemic Threat Condition Levels
This is a sample of pandemic threat condition levels that could be implemented at your business.
Sample Pandemic Preparation Questions
Questions to ask during an outbreak, questions to ask once an outbreak becomes a pandemic, and which actions your crisis management team should perform regularly afterward to stay prepared.
Additional Resources
World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
Information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease, including daily updates.
World Health Organization: Video Explainer
Video from WHO explaining what’s currently known about the virus.
National Association of Manufacturers: Coronavirus Resources
The NAM is in contact with federal officials who are overseeing the response to the coronavirus and they are working to share additional available information.
The NAM also recently released a document titled “COVID-19 Policy Action Plan Recommendations” to help manufacturers during the coronavirus crisis:
How is the coronavirus is affecting manufacturers? The NAM surveyed its member companies during a time period from Feb. 28 to March 9 with 558 companies responding:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Aid Tracker
The business community is mobilizing its expertise, capabilities, and community resources to assist with the relief and containment efforts. Learn more.
The U.S. Chamber has also published a page titled “Quick Take: Coronavirus’ Economic Impact.” The page also provides links to additional information on COVID-19:
https://www.uschamber.com/series/above-the-fold/quick-take-coronavirus-economic-impact
American Chamber of Commerce in China: Flash Survey Results on COVID-19 Impact Revealed (2/27/20)
On Feb. 27, the American Chamber of Commerce in China (“AmCham China”) released the results of a flash survey that measures the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on its member companies.
