Plan, Prepare & Respond
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is important to create an infectious disease outbreak response plan. All Washington employers must implement strategies to address public health and social distancing that protect their employees and customers from COVID-19 while making sure their businesses continue to operate. Communication to your employees and customers on the steps being taken is required. Doing so will reassure your employees, customers and clients.
Protecting & Advocating Your Business WSNLA is advocating for your business to be able to exercise the option to remain open and support their communities during these challenging times. Below please find WSNLA communications.
To Members: To Policymakers:
WSNLA continues to monitor the situation and is actively communicating with State, National & Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association to provide a unified voice as we advocate your business.
At a time filled with stress and unknown, our industry is uniquely poised to offer plants, products and services that deliver positive benefits to physical and mental health. As one meme read, "Gardening has not been cancelled!" Plants and gardening also offer learning activities for students, and ideas for adults to get out of the house and into the yard, patio or balcony while social distancing.
Growers, garden centers and landscape professionals are adapting policies and procedures to keep employees and customers safe and healthy. Garden centers are transitioning business models to online or call in orders with curbside and delivery services. Everyone is leveling up their messaging around the mental and physical health benefits of gardening, plants, trees and engaging with nature. Continuing to share this message is something we ALL can do to support our industry!
To support idea sharing, I will be sharing and reposting content on the WSNLA Facebook Page about what other member businesses are doing. Please share your experiences and business needs with WSNLA, so we know how to best support you.
Click here to contact WSNLA.
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The following link will help guide the development of your comprehensive COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan:
Federal
State
Local Health Departments
What To Do If Your Sick?
If you believe that you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, please contact the call center for members of the public at 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
Resources for Businesses
COVID-19 Resources for Your Business: www.business.wa.gov/site/alias__business/1561/covid-19.aspx
Tax Relief
- IRS Extends 2020 Tax Filing Date: The tax-filing deadline will remain July 15, but the IRS will waive penalties and interest on tax payments for 90 days. Click here for more.
- Excise Tax Filing Assistance: The Washington State Department of Revenue will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their excise taxes on time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Affected businesses may qualify for filing extensions or penalty waivers.Click here for more.
- The Washington State Department of Revenue: A helpful guide that outlines frequently asked questions about how to file and pay online, audits, and more. Click here for more.
- B&O Tax: The Washington State Department of Revenue is allowing businesses to request a one-time, 24-month penalty waiver if you have not owed a late penalty in the last 24 months. Also, businesses can request a 30-day extension of B&O taxes without payment or 30+ days with deposit. For more information, call (360) 705-6705.
Financial Relief
Federal
- Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2: CFAP2 follows the first round of CFAP, which had an application period of May through September 11. You can learn more about USDA's initial Coronavirus Food Assistance Program by visiting farmers.gov/cfap1.
Loans
Grants
Insurance
- If employers have bought the right endorsements, insurance policies may cover cancelled events or businesses losses. Contact the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner at 1-800-562-6900 or go to www.insurance.wa.gov for more information.
Further Guidance on Relief Resources
Below are some webcasts from Moss Adams accounting firm on relief resources available to small businesses for the COVID-19 crisis. The first on the SBA PPP program goes into details that I have not seen from other webinars currently. Some are short snippets that allow you to focus on certain parts of programs. We hope these can provide one more tool as you try to make business decisions during this time.
The constant advice from the experts we are hearing from is to reach out to your banker and apply for these programs as soon as possible. Once you are in the queue, you will still have opportunities to refine your decisions and your bank provides the best source of detailed information.
Webcasts on specific subjects:
SBA Loans (resources and articles):
Managing Employees
- SharedWork Program: SharedWork is a voluntary business sustainability program that provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. This is a little known but powerful program to help workers stay employed while drawing needed benefits. Learn more »
- The US Department of Labor (DOL): More information will be coming out with further guidance for granting small business exemptions from the Response Act that require employer-paid sick and medical leave. NAHB will be voicing our ideas for this guidance with the agency and will keep you in the loop as DOL develops and publicizes its criteria. Learn more »
- Workers' Compensation: For questions about Workers' Compensation and Coronavirus (COVID-19), click here.
WA State Department of Agriculture
Washington State Department of Agriculture: The situation around COVID-19 in Washington State continues to develop. A website capturing statewide efforts has been created and is a good resources for general COVID-19 information. Click here for more.
Foreign Worker Processing Updates
AmericanHort is advocating for our industry. They have created a special page to keep you up to date as developments occur. Click here.
Resources for Employees
- Washington State Unemployment: If you or an employee is affected by COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that may be able to help. The agency has adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation, and quarantine for workers and businesses. Learn more »
- Paid Family and Medical Leave: If you are sick with COVID-19, as with any other illness, a healthcare provider must certify that you are unable to work in order to qualify for Paid Family and Medical Leave. Quarantine (and school closures) are not qualifying events under this program. It is recommended that you use employer-provided paid sick leave if available. Learn more.
- Employment Security Department (ESD): Download an easy to read flyer for COVD-19 Scenario & Benefits Chart. Download flyer »
Other Association Resources
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