The goal of this page is to provide you with links to several resources to help you navigate Covid-19. We will add new information and links as we are made aware of them. If you have any questions with any of the content or suggestions for additional content please contact us at Bill@dorchesterchamber.org.
There are posters and forms that can be helpful for your organization and some are required. Here is the link to our current list for you to view and download. We will print copies for free for our members. Just let us know which ones you need. If you find other signs you feel will be helpful let us know and we will get them added.
On May 27th the Governor announced we will implement the remaining portions Stage 1 of reopening the state at 5 pm on Friday, May 29th. The following is a summary of the announcement:
Group gatherings are still limited to 10 or less.
OUTDOOR DINING. Restaurants as well as social organizations such as American Legions, VFWs, and Elks Clubs will be able to begin safely reopening for outdoor dining following strict public health requirements consistent with the CDC, FDA, and the National Restaurant Association. Read the governor’s order here.
Restaurants must:
- Ensure patrons are appropriately distanced with no more than six people seated at a table, with the exception of members of the same household.
- Ensure patrons are seated at least six feet away from each other, except for households seated together.
- Use single-use disposable paper menus or sanitize reusable menus between each seating.
- Sanitize outdoor tables and chairs between each customer seating.
- Train staff in current COVID-19 health and workplace guidelines.
- Begin screening procedures including daily temperature checks of all staff.
- Ensure staff wear masks or face coverings when interacting with other employees or patrons.
In an effort to promote safer dining and support the restaurant industry, the governor is encouraging local jurisdictions to expand the footprint of outdoor dining by allowing for the closing of streets and expanding into parking lots and public outdoor spaces.
Guidance and best practices for restaurants.
YOUTH SPORTS. Outdoor youth sports may resume following appropriate CDC guidelines including:
- Limited, low-contact outdoor practices focused on individual skill building versus competition.
- Limited group sizes.
- Limited touching of shared equipment and gear.
- The ability to engage in physical distancing while not actively engaged in play.
Guidance and best practices for youth sports.
YOUTH DAY CAMPS. Outdoor activities at youth day camps may resume under the following guidance:
- Capacity limitation of no more than 10 individuals in a group.
- Daily COVID symptom checks for youth camp staff and campers.
- No out-of-state or overnight campers will be permitted.
- Physical distancing and masks will be required for all staff and campers.
Department of Health directives regarding youth camp programs.
Guidance and best practices for youth day camps.
OUTDOOR POOLS. All outdoor pools may reopen with strict safety guidelines including:
- 25% capacity restrictions.
- Strict physical distancing and sanitization measures.
- Patrons will be required to sign-in and sign-out.
- All pools will be required to post signage warning anyone who is sick not to enter.
Businesses that adopt all safety guidelines are encouraged to take the ‘Back to Business’ pledge. Click here for the pledge.
Here is the link to Governor Hogan’s Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery Here is the link for the actual executive order: Click here for the May 27th order.
SBDC has created a small business survival guide that has some good recommendations and information: Click here to review - it is updated regularly.
There is an Retention Tax Credit program also defined by the Cares Act that may help some small businesses. Click here for more details on that program.
The most comprehensive site to visit for information for Maryland Businesses is https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/coronavirus. On this site you will find links to all the various funding options that have been established, information on all of the Governor's executive orders, videos for education and more. We will repeat some of the links below but highly recommend you visit this site for a wealth of information to help you navigate this difficult time.
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has partnered with business leaders and statewide organizations to help launch the Maryland Business Relief Wizard for businesses to navigate federal and state financial relief programs in response to COVID-19. The “wizard” is an online tool that serves as an up-to-date, one-stop destination for businesses as they seek to navigate the many resources available to them. By visiting the wizard and answering a short series of questions, businesses will be able to quickly identify which state and federal programs they are eligible for and get directions to apply.
Unemployment rules and processing have changed and more benefits are available. Here is a link to the Maryland Department of Labor has posted videos to help explain the process, click here to access the videos.
For more information about the disease and to stay current on issues around the US and other Countries the Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers a lot of good information.
Here is a link to a list being maintained by Dorchester County Tourism for Closings/Cancellations/Changes to Operation: https://visitdorchester.org/dorchester-visitor-center-closed-some-events-cancelled/?fbclid=IwAR0aqAuvJtTJPd4ePRwGDRBI-l0AIwiWUQuDbs4DfWPwWUINlAy1AJPgG14 If you have any additions or changes to the list please reach out to the Chamber or Tourism and we will work to get it updated.
If you have any questions or suggestions for additional information for us to share with our members, please let us know. Working together as a community we will get pass this and become stronger for it.
