WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Small Business Administration continues implementation of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza made the following statement in regards to Section 325:

End-of-Year COVID Relief Package Resources.

Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement after the House voted to pass H.R. 133, a bill consisting of omnibus spending, coronavirus relief, and authorizations.

Things to Know about the COVID-19 Pandemic. For more details visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/need-to-know.html

How CDC Determines the Level of a Country’s COVID-19 Travel Health Notice. For more details visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/how-level-is-determined.html

10 Things Healthcare Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans. For more details visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/vaccination.html

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Country. For more details visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance and an accompanying one-pager to help employers understand which standards are most frequently cited during coronavirus-related inspections. OSHA based these documents on data from citations issued, many of which were the result of complaints, referrals and fatalities in industries such as hospitals and healthcare, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and meat/poultry processing plants. The one-pager and guidance document provide available resources that address the most frequently cited standards, including Respiratory Protection, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, Personal Protective Equipment and the General Duty Clause. The one-pager provides examples of requirements employers must follow, such as:   Provide a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested or uses a respirator. Establish, implement, and update a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures.  Train workers to safely use respirators and/or other PPE in the workplace, and retrain workers about changes in the workplace that might make previous training obsolete. Store respirators and other PPE properly in a way to protect them from damage, contamination, and, where applicable, deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve. Keep required records of work-related fatalities, injuries, and illness.  OSHA is providing the guidance to help employers protect workers and increase compliance with OSHA requirements. OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses to identify workplace hazards, provides advice for compliance with OSHA standards, and assists in establishing and improving safety and health programs. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations.   Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic. Reopening America’s Economy: Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on Strong Economic Data – Secretary Scalia issued a statement regarding the strong economic data released Thursday: “This morning’s economic news shows sustained momentum and confirms that our nation is bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic faster than predicted.” Secretary Scalia traveled to Minnesota, Missouri, and Michigan to highlight workforce development – Secretary Scalia joined Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) in Le Center, Minnesota where they toured the candy-making company Maud Borup.  Secretary Scalia then traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, where he discussed President Trump’s continued efforts to safely reopen the economy and strengthen America’s workforce with local business leaders, and discussed apprenticeships with workers and company executives at Seyer Industries.  Secretary Scalia ended the trip talking about USMCA and the economy with workers and executives at Atlas Tube in Detroit. Keeping America’s Workplaces Safe and Healthy: U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Announces $2,025,431 In Coronavirus Violations – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Oct. 22, 2020, OSHA has cited 144 establishments for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $2,025,431. U.S. Department of Labor Issues Respiratory Protection Guidance For Long-Term Care Facilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic – OSHA has issued respiratory protection guidance focused on protecting workers in nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities from occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus. Defending Workers’ Rights to Paid Leave and Wages Earned: The Wage and Hour Division has concluded more than 3,000 cases under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), finding over $2.7 million in back wages due for workers and hundreds of cases remain open.  At the same time, the agency has conducted over 2,400 outreach events related to FFCRA. During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on protecting the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employers, and carrying out the mission of the Department. The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Today’s MMWR on SARS-CoV-2 transmission at an overnight camp in Georgia found efficient spread of the virus among campers and staff while noting key steps to minimize the risk for SARS-CoV-2 introduction and transmission in camps were not strictly followed.

The United States Department of Transportation's (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) invites you to participate at the Department's Woman-Owned Small Business Resources Webinar to be held on Friday, August 28, 2020. The webinar will start promptly at 2:00 pm EDT. This event is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to inform women-owned small businesses about the tools available at these three cabinet-level agencies.

Many Americans affected by the coronavirus outbreak will benefit from new workplace protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.