Category: Important Announcements

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Important Announcements

BROAD COALITION OF NYC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS’ STATEMENT ON PUBLIC SAFETY

“We can’t rebuild our economy from the pandemic without small businesses and business districts, and small businesses can’t thrive if New Yorkers don’t feel safe in their communities. Our economic development and neighborhood organizations support targeted measures to improve public safety and address mental health issues affecting our most vulnerable neighbors, which will help ensure the safety and security of all communities across the city. We thank Governor Hochul for recognizing that a holistic approach is needed, putting forward smart, thoughtful ideas to improve the health and safety of our communities, and acknowledging that we must protect our small business owners and employees so they can continue to safely serve our communities throughout the city. We look forward to working with all of our elected leaders to bring our New York economies back stronger and more vibrant than before, and our communities safer and more just for all.” 

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Important Announcements

COVID Regulations

Current COVID Regulations for Businesses:

Governor Hochul’s mask or vaccine mandate ended last week, but Key to NYC vaccination requirements are still in effect. Individual businesses can implement their own mask requirements if they wish, but masks are no longer required in businesses such as grocery stores, retail, hardware stores, etc.

Key to NYC – proof of vaccination required for indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment (both customers and employees)

Everyone 5+ must now show proof of full vaccination (defined as two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson)

Age 18+ – must also show proof of identification

Refer to NYC Commission on Human Rights with any questions about reasonable accommodations.

Private Sector Workplace Vaccine Mandate – workers in New York City who perform in-person work or interact with the public in the course of business must show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Workers will then have 45 days to show proof of their second dose (for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines)

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Important Announcements

Mask Mandate Lifted

The statewide Indoor business mask or vaccine requirement has been lifted, starting February 10. The measure remains optional for businesses, local governments, and counties.

ACCORDING TO NYC 311, CUSTOMERS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO SHOW THEIR VACCINATION CARD.

Additionally, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce notes: As of now, this does NOT end the Key to NYC program, which was implemented through an executive order from the mayor and must be renewed every five days. City officials said Tuesday that the order was being renewed. In New York City,  proof of vaccination is STILL required to dine indoors, attend events at arenas, work out at gyms and go to the movies.

Masks will still be required in hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, transportation and other related entities

Requirements related to masks in schools continue and will be reevaluated in early March, after mid-winter break, based on public health data.

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Important Announcements

COVID Tests Distributed

Throughout the entire Pandemic period, Throggs Neck BID personnel took the lead in distributing free masks, face shields and sanitizers to the community, even going door-to-door to accomplish this. 

On February 2, thanks to the diligent and enthusiastic assistance and partnership of Senator Alessandra Biaggi, COVID tests were handed out in front of the BID office, in addition to both adult and children’s masks, sanitizers, and face shields.

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Important Announcements

Free Home COVID Tests & Masks

The Throggs Neck BID, in coordination with Senator Biaggi, will give away free COVID masks and home test kits on WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2, beginning at 5:30 pm, in front of the BID office.

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Important Announcements

NYC Small Business Resilience Grant Paused

Due to the overwhelming response, the application for the NYC Small Business Resilience Grant has been paused. Businesses should check covidresilience.nyc  https://covidresilience.nyc/ or updates if additional funding becomes available.  

Businesses that already began applications should complete their application as soon as possible. 

If applicants have questions about how to complete their application, they should review the application guide or contact the call center at 888-959-6471. 

For assistance with the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program and other business financing options, visit nyc.gov/financingassistance to request a one-on-one consultation with a representative from one of our NYC Business Solutions Centers. 

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Important Announcements

More COVID Rules

REMINDER!

Indoor Dining, Indoor Fitness, and Indoor Entertainment and Certain Meeting Spaces     Children: Starting December 14, children ages 5 to 11 are required to have proof of vaccination for the public indoor activities described here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines-keytonyc.page  

They must show they have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Children ages 5-11 only need a single dose up until January 28, 2022. Beginning January 29, 2022, 5-11 year olds will need to show proof of a full regimen of a COVID-19 vaccine, just like individuals who are 12 and older.    People 12 and older: Starting December 27, people 12 and older participating in indoor activities will be required to show proof they have received two vaccine doses, except for those who have received the one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.    
If your business is covered by this requirement, you are required to check the vaccination status of all staff and customers 5 and older. You may not permit entry to anyone 5 and older who has not received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless an exception in the Executive Order for Key to NYC or the Frequently Asked Questions document applies.  

You can allow customers to use the bathroom or for another reason that will take a small amount of time (for example, less than 10 minutes).    Businesses that do not comply with this policy will be subject to fines.   

To implement this policy:    NEW: Fill out the Affirmation of Compliance With Key to NYC Worker Vaccination Requirements certificate and post it in a public place.    Place the Vaccination Required Poster for Businesses (PDF) in a place that is clearly visible to people before they enter your business    Become familiar with the accepted proofs of vaccination listed here.    Develop a written implementation plan that will be available for inspection. This should include how you will check the vaccination status of staff and customers before they enter — or immediately after they enter — your business.    Help your staff get vaccinated: Consider hanging posters about the COVID-19 vaccines in break rooms and provide information about where to get vaccinated.   

If you are a small business and have questions about this policy, call the SBS hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692). 
All Other Private Sector Businesses    Starting December 27, employers must ensure that all workers who enter the workplace or come into contact with the public during the course of their work beyond a quick and limited purpose show proof of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination. Workers will have up to 45 days to produce proof of a second dose in a two-dose vaccination series.   Those who have not provided proof of at least one dose or applied for a reasonable accommodation on religious or medical grounds by the deadline must be excluded from the workplace.   Additional information about the new vaccination requirement for private sector businesses can be found at nyc.gov/vaxtowork starting on Wednesday, December 15. 
Indoor Face Covering Guidance     On December 10, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced masks are required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.   This major action to address the winter surge comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide and is in alignment with the CDC’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission.   The State Health Commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement.     You can read the State Health Commissioner’s December 10, 2021 Determination Letter.   More details can be found in the State’s FAQs. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-proof-full-vaccination-or-mask-requirement-businesses-and-venues   If you have any questions, please call the SBS hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC.  
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Important Announcements

PPP FORGIVENESS APPLICATION REQUIRED

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce reminds all thatIf you received a PPP you are required to apply for forgiveness. There is a 5-minute application that has to be completed in order to have this money completely forgiven, otherwise it becomes a loan in which the SBA and IRS will require to be repaid. We urge everyone who received a PPP loan to apply for forgiveness to avoid having to repay whatever money they received. For more information, go to: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program/ppp-loan-forgiveness

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Important Announcements

Small Business Resilience Grant

Details of the Small Business Resilience Grant from the NYC Department of Small Business Services:

This new grant is designed to help NYC’s small businesses offset operational expenses to mitigate economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This grant program will provide $10,000 grants to eligible small businesses in:

  • Low-to-moderate income (LMI) areas
  • The arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors; and/or
  • The accommodation and food services sector

Examples of appropriate uses for a grant include:



  • supporting payroll and benefits costs
  • costs to retain employees
  • mortgage, rent, or utilities costs
  • other operating costs.

This program will be administered by Lendistry.

Details: https://covidresilience.nyc/

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Important Announcements

Employee Retention Credit Eliminated

The National Law Review  reports that President Biden’s signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on November 15, 2021, retroactively eliminates an employer’s ability to claim employee retention credits (ERC) for eligible wages paid after September 30, 202.