COVID-19 Info

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

for Louisiana Manufacturers

Please visit our Return to Work Mitigation Plan for business and industry return to work protocols and procedures implemented for safety and protection.

We hope everyone remains safe and healthy. Please contact MEP OF LA with any questions.

Return to Work Mitigation Plan

The MEP of Louisiana (MEPOL) is monitoring the COVID-19 crisis as closely as possible. On March 22nd, 2020 Governor John Bel Edwards issued a Statewide Stay at Home Order to further fight the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana. First and foremost, because the most important thing is the safety and health of people, we are encouraging everyone to follow the preventive guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Louisiana Department of Health. We are aware that this order has far reaching effects on all businesses both in our state, in our country and across international borders. With this in mind, this page is designed to be a one-stop hub of resources and information for businesses and individuals in our region. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.

COVID-19 Survey for Louisiana Manufacturers: We hope that you are all safe through this pandemic. As this is an unprecedented situation, we are reaching out directly to find out how you are doing, what issues are affecting you most, and finally, if you are able to provide a helping hand, if needed.

Your answers to this short survey will help shape government and other assistance packages. Thank you!

Take the Survey

STATE/LOCAL RESOURCES

  • LCTCS COVID-19 Updates

https://www.lctcs.edu/covid-19

LCTCS encourages everyone to stay informed and follow the health and safety guidelines provided by the LA Department of Health and the CDC.

  • Louisiana Economic Development Resources for Impacted Businesses

https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/covid-19-assistance

  • SBA Loans of up to $2 million have been approved by the Governor as assistance for all parishes in Louisiana. Louisiana small businesses may apply as follows:

1.https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
2. Call Toll Free 1-800-659-2955
3. TTY: 1-800-877-8339
4. e-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

  • Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC)

Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) Guidance for Employers

Information for Employers in Louisiana If you are temporarily closing or reducing your hours of operations due to COVID-19, please contact the LWC to discuss how we can provide assistance and answer your questions about unemployment insurance and other programs and resources available.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) is currently monitoring the impact of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

LED is focusing on business continuity aimed at safeguarding economic, as well as physical, health. This information is in addition to that found on the Governor’s website; it will focus on useful resources and information for businesses and individuals.

https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/covid-19-assistance

  • Louisiana Main Street Recovery Grant Program: Louisiana has launched a recovery fund to support businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has set aside $275 million for the Main Street Recovery Grant Program. Starting July 28th, small businesses can apply for up to $15,000 to cover eligible expenses.

    The program was designed to help those who need it most. Grants will first be given to businesses that did not receive a Paycheck Protection Program loan, insurance payment, or an Economic Injury Disaster loan or advance. Priority will be given to those businesses for the first 21 days of the program, but businesses that did receive federal assistance can still apply. Additionally, $40 million will be set aside within the first 60 days of the application process for businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans.

     
    Interested businesses can sign up here https://www.louisianamainstreet.com/newsletter-sign-up/ for updates and call 1(888) 795-4947 Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
     

 

FEDERAL RESOURCES

  • US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Workplace Tips for Employees

  • Department of Homeland Security

Identifying Critical Infrastructure during COVID-19

Functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health and safety as well as community well-being. Certain critical infrastructure industries have a special responsibility in these times to continue operations. 

This guidance and accompanying list are intended to support State, Local, and industry partners in identifying the critical infrastructure sectors and the essential workers needed to maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and need to be able to operate resiliently during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

  • OSHA.gov

Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
developed this COVID-19 planning guidance based on traditional infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices. It focuses on the need for employers to implement engineering, administrative, and work practice controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as considerations for doing so.

  • Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence

Critical Supply Survey

Please fill out if you are interested in exploring how you can help in addressing the critical needs to address COVID-19 across all states.  This information is being collated by NIST MEP and then shared with NIST leadership, DOC and the administration.

  • URGENT: Manufacturers Needed: On behalf of the White House, the National Association of Manufacturers is seeking manufacturers that can produce critically needed supplies for the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey will help identify those that can contribute to the federal government’s fight against COVID-19. Let’s show the federal government what Louisiana manufacturers can do! If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact the National Association of Manufacturers’ COVID-19 response team at ResponseTeam@nam.org:

https://namissvr.nam.org/namissvr/survey/index.aspx


  • Assistance for American Workers and Families

In the weeks immediately after the passage of the CARES Act, Americans will see fast and direct relief in the form of Economic Impact Payments. For more information, CLICK HERE.


  • Assistance for Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.


  • Paycheck Protection Program Resources
  • SBA Paycheck Protection Program website
  • Department of the Treasury CARES Act website

  • 30 Days to Slow the Spread

On March 16, President Trump announced public health guidelines to slow the spread of Coronavirus in America. He asked every family to unite against this invisible enemy, making changes to our daily routines as part of a national effort to save lives. As he said on Monday, it’s likely that a peak in Coronavirus fatalities will arrive in about two weeks. If we continue to follow public health guidelines vigorously, we could save more than 1 million American lives in the weeks and months ahead. A million American lives are worth fighting for. That’s why this week, President Trump extended his Coronavirus Guidelines for America through the next 30 days. Please click here for more information: 30 Days to Slow the Spread 

How to Help – If you or your organization are interested in helping the effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, FEMA has established a website (www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help) with more information. Examples for the private sector include:


  • To sell medical supplies or equipment to the federal government, please submit a price quote under the COVID-19 PPE and Medical Supplies Request for Quotation. Full details can be found in the solicitation (Notice ID 70FA2020R00000011).
    • This solicitation requires registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be considered for award, pursuant to applicable regulations and guidelines. Registration information can be found at www.sam.gov.  Registration must be “ACTIVE” at the time of award.
  • If you have medical supplies or equipment to donate, please provide us details on what you are offering.
  • If you are a private company that wants to produce a product related to the COVID response – email nbeoc@max.gov.
  • If you are a hospital or healthcare provider in need of medical supplies, please contact your state, local, tribal or territory department of public health and/or emergency management agency.
  • If you are interested in doing business with FEMA and supporting the response to COVID- 19 with your company’s non-medical goods and/or services, please submit your inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Procurement Action Innovative Response Team (PAIR) team at DHSIndustryLiaison@hq.dhs.gov.

For additional information please visit FEMA’s website: https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/.

OTHER RESOURCES FOR MANUFACTURERS: