Covid-19 Resources
We have been actively participating in updates with the emergency operations team, hospitality stakeholders, event producers, venues, attractions and visitors as Alachua County continues to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
Alachua County provides the most recent news and information on the Emergency Management/Coronavirus page and on the Alachua County Facebook page. Find answers to frequently asked questions and more at the Alachua County Covid-19 Community Resource Portal.
In addition to Alachua County, trusted sources of health information include the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The City of Gainesville continues to update emergency notices here and has a FAQ page for common questions.
Useful toolkits with printable materials are available online through the following links:Florida Department of Health COVID-19 ToolkitCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Print Resources
For information on mass gatherings, visit the CDC Mass Gatherings COVID-19 website.
IMPACT ASSESSEMENTS, LOAN AND RECOVERY RESOURCES
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business, including non-profits. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Click for details and complete application criteria.
Small Business Paycheck Protection Program
The Program will provide small businesses with guaranteed loans to support 8 weeks of payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities, and the portion used on these expenses will be forgiven if “employee and compensation levels are maintained.” For more information about the Paycheck Protection Program, click here.
Business Disaster Recovery Assistance
SBDC Florida provides multiple resources for small business assistance and recovery.
Florida Business Damage Assessment
This week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of #COVID19 on Florida’s local business operations. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com. Take the survey: FloridaDisaster.biz
Arts and Cultural Impact
Americans for the Arts is collecting information about the financial and human impacts that the spread of the coronavirus have had on arts and cultural organizations. Take the 2020 Arts and Culture Impact Survey.
FloridaJobs.org Reemployment Assistance
If a Floridian’s employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts in Florida to stop the spread of COVID-19, they may be eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Statewide Emergency Orders and Retail Resources
Florida Retail Federation is keeping track of emergency orders throughout Florida and has an updated list of resources for small businesses.
Smith Travel Research
STR provides Hotel Industry Impact information here. They are also hosting weekly webinars focusing on weekly hotel performance across the U.S.
Greater Gainesville Chamber
The chamber of commerce has local updates for businesses and the public here. The EAT GNV Facebook Group collects announcements from local restaurants. If you are a local restaurant, fill out this form to keep the chamber up to date.
EVENT CANCELLATIONS AND POSTPONEMENTS
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County has been in constant communication with stakeholder event producers, venues and attractions to provide the most accurate and complete information on closures and postponements due to the COVID-19 crisis. Click here for a current list of canceled and postponed events.
We are maintaining an updated list of impacted events and attractions in Alachua County. If you are an event organizer, keep us up to date via email to info@visitgainesville.com.
LOOKING AHEAD
Hoteliers/Lodging Providers – While our greatest concern is the health and safety of our residents and visitors, we ask that you share with us any meetings, conferences or event cancellations at your property so that we can have an accurate assessment of the economic impact to our market.
Please provide the name, date and estimated attendance to info@visitgainesville.com at your earliest convenience.
Event Producers and Attractions – We ask to you keep us in the loop should you choose to air any events on your website or social media with no live audience, or if you are finding and/or promoting other ways to engage with your constituents that do not require in person participation.
It is our goal, with public safety still being of the utmost priority, to still share with the public all that is good in our community.
