Governor Issues Stay at Home Executive Order effective Monday March 30th. To read the executive order click here
Not sure what an “essential business” refers to in the executive order? Click Here
Mountain Community Health Partnership: First, thanks to all of you out there who are doing their part to reduce the impact COVID-19 will have on our community. Thanks to everyone who is working to reduce the anxiety people are feeling about the fact that we have our first confirmed COVID-19 case in Mitchell County.
Be assured that Mountain Community Health Partnership (Bakersville Community Health Center, Spruce Pine Health Center) is doing everything we can to limit exposure and transmission of COVID-19. We are going far above and beyond what is required in an effort to contain it. We are working closely with the Toe River Health District to make sure the people who have potentially been exposed are quarantined. We are sharing as much information as privacy laws allow. We are providing all the needed information to people who may have been exposed to limit further spread.
The CDC tells us that, in order to have been exposed, a person has to be within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 10 minutes.
If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please call the clinic at 688-2104. If the clinic is closed and it is during business hours, staff will be available to assist you. After hours, there will be instructions on how to reach the on-call provider.
Mitchell County Health Department: Today’s numbers:As of evening of 3/26
Yancey 38 tested 14 negative 24 pending
Mitchell 42 tested 19 negative 1 positive 22 pending
Avery 37 tested 23 negative 14 pending
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application
The SBA is working diligently to process SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) while making the process as user-friendly and easy as possible for you.
Given the fluidity of the current environment, SBA wants to ensure you have a way to fill out and submit your EIDL application should technical issues arise.
For more information visit: Click Here>EIDL Assistance
Now Available SBA Express Bridge Loans Pilot Program
The Express Bridge Loans (EBL) Pilot Program allows SBA Express Lenders to provide expedited financing to small businesses located in declared disaster areas. The EBL Pilot Program is intended to serve as an interim loan. Businesses may use these funds for disaster-related purposes while they apply for and await long-term financing.
Loan Details:
Maximum Loan Amount: Up to $25,000
Maximum Term: Up to 7 years
Only lenders that were already participating in the SBA Express Program at the time of the COVID-19 disaster can issue an EBL.
Traditionally, EBLs can only be made up to six months after the date of an applicable Presidential Disaster Declaration however, for the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, EBLs can be approved through March 13, 2021.
Fore More Information Visit: EBL Information
As employers continue to weather the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) has issued some guidance to help businesses and employees understand the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).
On March 25, 2020, the DOL issued the required poster employers will need to provide to employees under the FFCRA. Employers may satisfy this requirement by posting the notice in a conspicuous place on their premises, emailing or mailing the notice to employees directly, or posting it on an employee intranet or external website. For your convenience, a copy of the FFCRA workplace notice is linked below.
The agency also published a series of frequently asked questions about the required FFCRA notice, which can be accessed here.
Effective Date of the FFCRA
The effective date of the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act, according to the agency’s Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, is April 1, NOT April 2, as we’ve previously reported in our published articles. The FFCRA states it becomes effective “not later than 15 days” after the date of enactment. It was signed into law on March 18, 2020, but the DOL guidance is effective as of 14 days.
Families First Corona Response Act Notice Frequently Asked Questions
A series of frequently asked questions about the required FFCRA notice, which can be accessed here.
A section by section of the Corona Virus Aid, Relief and Economic Recovery Act. Click Here for information
A summary of the emergency appropriations for coronavirus health response and agency operations.