Coronavirus Toolkit for Businesses

For members of the New Orleans hospitality industry

New Orleans & Company continues to stay engaged with local and state health department officials as well the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to stay abreast of the rapidly evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We are working daily to keep you updated on this fluid situation as it applies to our industry. 

Below you will find a library of resources to help your business navigate this situation, as well as updates on guidance from our health partners and restrictions put in place by the city to slow the community spread of the virus. We have also compiled a library of resources for hospitality industry workers including unemployment resources, job openings, relief funds and more.

Both the CDC, and City of New Orleans, have advised the use of cloth face masks to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus.  The most effective way to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus is to abide by the stay at home directives.

New Orleans is a resilient city and we will get through this together. Let’s focus on making prudent decisions, being good citizens and good neighbors and taking all advice from health experts. We will continue to update these resources and keep you apprised of this rapidly developing situation. 

Federal Updates

CARES Act 


 

Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

New federal paid leave mandates have passed under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. In short, most employers are now required to provide sick leave to workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and federal tax credits will be offered in an attempt to reimburse employers. The US Department of Labor is authorized to waive the mandate for some small businesses, and state officials expect that guidance by next week. Lean more >>.


 

State Updates

Louisiana Department of Insurance 

LDI has issued Emergency Rule 36. Under the emergency rule, health insurers must: Waive cost sharing for COVID-19 testing when ordered in accordance with CDC guidelines and are prohibited from requiring prior authorization for this testing; Permit early refills, except for drugs in certain drug classes like opioids, when consistent with doctor/pharmacist approvals; Suspend the use of step therapy; Enhance access to mail order pharmaceuticals; Continue to ensure network adequacy given the anticipated increase in demand due to COVID-19. 


 

City Updates

City of New Orleans

Get the latest updates on the city’s Coronavirus at Ready.NOLA.gov and text COVIDNOLA to 888777 to receive text alerts. 

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is limiting service routes and encouraging residents to limit use of public transportation when possible unless they are traveling for essential work such as healthcare and nutrition services. All passengers must wear a mask or face covering and RTA encourage riders to pre-purchase fare via the GoMobile app available in the Apple App or Google Play stores. 

Tell the City of New Orleans how COVID-19 is financially impacting your business

Completed the form below and sendto the City of New Orleans’ Office of Community and Economic Development - Jeff Schwartz and Courtney Stuckwisch Wong

Business Resources

GNO, Inc.

As the Coronavirus continues to evolve, GNO, Inc. is focusing on business continuity to ensure that we make it through the coming challenges safeguarding economic, as well as physical, health. If you are looking for PPE, sanitizer, food providers, and other related products and services that can help in the fight with Coronavirus, please see the GNOpivot Resource Tool for a sortable list of local companies who have “pivoted” to providing these emergency provisions. 

GNO, Inc. has also compiled a variety of resources for workers and employers including: Getting Back to Work, In the New Normal; Business Lending Options; Paycheck Protection Program; Louisiana Main Street Lending Program; Business Assistance Resources; Employment Updates; Higher Education and Training Resources; Coronavirus Support for Music Industry Workers. Click the link below to learn more. 

Louisiana Restaurant Association  

The LRA is advocating on behalf of our industry at all levels and has a variety of resources for restaurants navigating the current climate.  

Louisiana Economic Development

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Secretary Don Pierson of Louisiana Economic Development have established an LED help desk that provides email and hotline support for Louisiana businesses impacted by COVID-19. For COVID-19 business questions, LED may be reached at LEDbiz@la.gov or via the toll-free hotline, (833) 457-0531. The COVID-19 hotline is staffed 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Be aware that high call volumes might result in delays. Callers are encouraged to keep trying, leave a voice mail or contact LED via email.

The LED team has also provided resources on their website to help determine best steps for your business to recover as Congress works to finalize elements of a national support bill to restore our economy. The LED site even includes a rumor control Twitter feed to help distinguish between rumors and facts.

Small Business Administration

Small businesses are vital economic engines in every community and state, and they have helped make our economy the strongest in the world. Our nation's small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.

Click the link below to see SBA's COVID-19 relief resources for small businesses. For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  

Louisiana Workforce Commission

We know that our hospitality partners and workforce are suffering right now. We’ve been in touch with the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s (LWC) State Rapid Response Coordinator about a pre-layoff program designed to help companies and their employees experiencing a layoff or closing.   

The LWC Rapid Response Unit is available for assistance concerning temporary or permanent layoffs due to COVID-19. Workers who are impacted by closures or reduced hours may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits.  

Louisiana Department of Health

As cases have reached across the state, the Louisiana Department of Health has resources available for the state's business community, including printable guides  

For more information, visit LDH's coronavirus website, call the Louisiana 211 Network or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for regular text updates from LDH on the coronavirus in our state. 

Printable Resources

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has developed resources, guidance and information for American businesses and workers.  

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has also created a Disaster Help Desk for Business - an information concierge to assist small businesses with disaster readiness, relief and long-term recovery. Find the help desk online, by dialing 888-MY-BIZ-HELP or sending a message to BizHelpdesk@uschamber.com

Business Roundtable

The CEOs of America's leading companies recognize the magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis and are focused on ways to support employees, customers, communities and the country.

Additional Tools

Expert Resources

Please use the following resource page with expert resources – including the CDC, WHO and statements from our industry partners – to share with any concerned customers.

Industry Worker Resources

We have gathered information on available job opportunities, unemployment resources, free food initiatives and more resources for individuals impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic.

Mental Health Hotline

During these stressful times, the Louisiana Department of Health has established a hotline to help residents of Louisiana cope with everything. Call the Keep Calm Through COVID hotline at 1-866-310-7977 at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. This line is for counseling only, and people calling for general information should call 211.

24/7 CDC Hotline

Visit cdc.gov for all kinds of information about the COVID-19 epidemic, federal responses and steps to take to protect yourself, your business and your community form the continued spread of the virus. Businesses and anyone else looking for a direct line to the CDC can contact the 24/7 hotline at 770-488-7100 or by submitting the form below. 

Contact Us

Contact New Orleans & Company directly should you have any industry-specific questions or concerns about the hospitality and tourism industry.