COVID-19 Update - April 2, 2020

In This Edition:

Governor’s “Stay-At-Home” Order Extended Statewide
Friday Deadline for Businesses to Apply for Waiver from Closure Order
State Business Loan Program Reaches Maximum; New Loan Program Created to Help Businesses
Help is Still Available for Victims of Abuse During COVID-19 Response
Beware of COVID-19-Related Investment Schemes
Penn State Extension Offers Free Online Courses
Early Prescription Refills Available for Medicaid Recipients

Governor’s “Stay-At-Home” Order Extended Statewide

Governor Wolf has issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order for all counties in Pennsylvania in order to limit the spread of the COVID-19.

The order directs all state residents to stay home unless they are involved in certain essential activities, such as collecting food and groceries, picking up prescriptions or medical supplies, going to or from work in life-sustaining businesses, caring for a family member or pet in another household, or other essential travel.

Thirty-three counties were already under these restrictions; the order now covers all counties and will remain in place until April 30.

More guidance on life-sustaining activities allowed under the order is available here.

Friday Deadline for Businesses to Apply for Waiver from Closure Order

The Wolf Administration has set a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday for Pennsylvania businesses to apply for a waiver from the governor’s closure order.

Gov. Wolf ordered all businesses not deemed life-sustaining to close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. on March 19 to slow the spread of COVID-19. My Senate colleagues and I have urged Governor Wolf to be more open and transparent about the decision-making process on these waivers.

Companies that believe they should be considered a life-sustaining-business can apply for a waiver here. Find answers to common waiver questions here.

State Business Loan Program Reaches Maximum; New Loan Program Created to Help Businesses

The COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program created by the Commonwealth Financing Authority last week has reached its maximum level of funding and will no longer accept new applications. However, a new federal program will offer loans that can be forgiven to help affected small businesses and self-employed individuals cover operating costs during the pandemic.

The new Paycheck Protection Program will offer loans to cover payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utility costs over an eight-week period. No more than 25 percent of the loan may cover anything other than payroll costs, and loan payments will be deferred for six months for any amount that is not forgiven. Businesses must maintain their number of staff and level of payroll and quickly rehire any recently displaced employees in order to qualify for loan forgiveness.

The program is open to small businesses, veterans organizations, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals and independent contractors, so long as each entity has 500 or fewer employees.

The application period for small businesses and sole proprietors will open on April 3. Self-employed individuals and contractors can apply starting on April 10. Applications are available here.

More details about the program are available here.

Help is Still Available for Victims of Abuse During COVID-19 Response

Victims of child abuse, domestic abuse and other crimes against vulnerable Pennsylvanians can still receive help during the state’s COVID-19 response.

All of the following resources are still open and available to help people in need:

Incidents of child abuse or neglect can be reported to ChildLine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-932-0313 and online at KeepKidsSafe.pa.gov.
Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can receive crisis services by calling 1-888-772-7227 or visiting https://pcar.org. Victims who are unable to speak safely can also log onto https://www.thehotline.org/ or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Tips about abuse or neglect of adults with disabilities can still be reported to Adult Protective Services by calling to 1-800-490-8505.
Any person who believes that an older adult is being abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned can contact the Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-490-8505.

Beware of COVID-19-Related Investment Schemes

The North American Securities Administrators Association and the state Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) are warning investors to be on the lookout for investment scams specifically tied to the threat of COVID-19, such as:

Falsely purporting to raise capital for companies manufacturing surgical masks and gowns; producing ventilators and medical equipment; or manufacturing vaccines or other miracle cures.
Taking advantage of concerns with securities market volatility to promote “safe” investments with “guaranteed returns” including investments tied to gold and other commodities; oil and gas; and real estate.
Touting “get rich quick” schemes with quickly earned returns to be used for rent, utilities, and other expenses.
Targeting retirees and senior citizens, falsely claiming they can quickly and safely recoup any losses to their retirement portfolios.

For more detailed information related to schemes and tips for protecting yourself, DoBS has developed a guide for investors. More information is also available at COVID-19 information and guidance for financial Institutions and consumers.

Contact DoBS toll-free at (800) PA-BANKS or (800) 722-2657 for more information or to file complaints about financial transactions, companies or products.

Penn State Extension Offers Free Online Courses

More than 50 online courses are available for free through the month of April through Penn State Extension. Some of the courses include food safety and nutrition, environmental stewardship, best agricultural practices and other offerings to promote successful businesses and healthy families.

More information is available in the online course catalog here.

Early Prescription Refills Available for Medicaid Recipients

In order to reduce unnecessary trips out of the home, the Department of Human Services has directed all Medicaid Managed Care Organizations to make early prescription refills available to recipients and be more flexible in issuing authorizations for longer durations.

The direction applies to any prescription that is current with refills remaining. More information is available here.