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Friday, March 13, 2020
On behalf of the Jones County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, we want to share with you that the health and safety of our members and entire community remain our top priorities. Due to the concern and precautionary measures already being taken to control the spread of COVID-19, the Chamber is suspending all of our meetings and events through the end of March. We will continue to monitor this unprecedented situation and reference the advice of our government agencies and elected officials as decisions are made about Chamber meetings and events scheduled for April and beyond.
Our staff will continue to be available to serve you, and we encourage you to call, 601-649-3031 or 601-335-4828, or e-mail our team, info@edajones.com, with any questions, issues or inquiries.
As employers, no matter your size, we understand that there will be an added burden on your businesses due to the impact of COVID-19. There are many resources available to assist you in developing strategies to protect your workforce while ensuring continuity of operations. Please review the links below provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which are based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We also will continue to share relevant resources with you as they become available.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Workplace Tips for Employees
- Guidance for Employers To Plan and Respond To Coronavirus
- What You Should Know, Situation Updates
- Travel Health Notices
- Guidance for Businesses
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Chamber, and if there is anything that we can do to support you during this time, please let us know.
Additional Resources
(updated 3/21/20)
- CDC Recommendations for Large Gatherings
- CDC – Symptoms of COVID-19
- Mississippi State Department of Health
- 3/20/20 Update for restaurants: Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) now recommends that all restaurant and bars suspend dine-in service in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, effective immediately.
- US Chamber of Commerce Resources
- Mississippi Manufacturers Association & OSHA Guidelines
- Mississippi Economic Council Resources
- From the Mississippi Small Business Development Center
-
What Employers Need To Know About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
HR6201 Details | FAQ Sheet for Businesses - Mississippi Department of Employment Security: How to file unemployment claims
MDES announced that Mississippi workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 are eligible to file for unemployment benefits. Based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor and Governor Tate Reeves, MDES is modifying existing unemployment compensation rules to include:- Those who are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency,
- Those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employers due to COVID-19 concerns,
- Those who are diagnosed with COVID-19,
- Or, those who are caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Website | Facebook | File a Claim
Business Assistance Programs
- Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is in the process of gathering information from Mississippi Small Business Owners that are taking on economic injury as a result of COVID-19. Below is a link to an “ESTIMATED DISASTER ECONOMIC INJURY WORKSHEET FOR BUSINESSES” form. Filling out this form is not a guarantee of assistance.
- Please return completed forms to: Todd DeMuth, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency; Email: tdemuth@mema.ms.gov
- ESTIMATED DISASTER ECONOMIC INJURY WORKSHEET FOR BUSINESSES
- Instructions for worksheet above
- Small Business Administration Assistance Program Governor Tate Reeves’s request for an Economic Disaster Declaration by the U.S. Small Business Administration was approved on March 20.The entire state of Mississippi has been declared a disaster for COVID-19 which opens up disaster loan assistance for small businesses and eligible non-profits for economic injury relief. All Mississippi businesses and non-profits that are severely impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) may apply for up to $2 million in working capital that can provide vital economic support to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,
- Information on the three-step process for disaster loans
- Instructional video (8 min) for completing the SBA EIDL Loan from MSBDC
- FAQ Sheet on EIDL from MSBDC
- Apply for SBA Disaster Assistance Loan
- Facebook Small Business Grants
The Chamber has set up a public group on Facebook where restaurants are posting updates to their hours and adjusted services.
Click HERE to join and follow the group.
Main Attraction Updates
(as of 3/23/20)
- Lauren Rogers Museum of Art: The Museum is officially closed to the public beginning Friday, March 20 until further notice.
- Historic District Walking Tour: The Museum has posted the Walking Tours maps outside for easy access. This is a beautiful time of year to take a stroll through Laurel’s historic downtown while practicing social distancing.
- Veteran’s Memorial Museum: closed until March 27
- Landrum’s Homestead: temporarily closed
- Laurel Mercantile & Scotsman General Store: as of 3/20/20: We will open for business today in line with the standards as described by our governor, but at the close of business today, we will cease all in-store operations with hopes to reopen as soon as safely possible.
- Laurel-Jones County Library System: Closed until further notice
- Bok Homa Casino: Temporarily closed and will resume all operations April 1, 2020.
- YWCO of Laurel: As of Monday 3/23/20 we have made the decision to cancel any groups or clubs meeting in more than 10. Any groups of 10 or less will need to use social distancing of 6ft apart. We will re-evaluate weekly to make any adjustments.
Jones County Emergency Operations Center
Updates on Jones County government agencies, departments and services.
Facebook Page | Modified Operations & Updates
South Central Regional Medical Center
March 23 Update RE: Testing Locations
From the City of Laurel – Update on City Facilities & Meetings
Statement from Mayor Magee – March 18, 2020
From the Jones County Board of Supervisors
Please consider conducting business by telephone, email or regular mail of possible.
- Chancery Clerk – (601) 428-0527
- Chancery Court – (601) 428-3623
- Circuit Clerk – (601) 425-2556
- Circuit Court – (601) 428-4572
- Board of Supervisors – (601) 428-3139
- Tax Assessor/Collector – (601) 426-3248
Jones County & Laurel City School District Updates
Governor Tate Reeves orders all Mississippi public schools to remain closed until April 17. Video announcement and details HERE.
- The Laurel School District will begin offering free grab and go meals to any child from ages 0-18 on Monday, March 23, 2020 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Laurel Middle School and Laurel High School car rider lanes. Meals will be given out weekly, Monday – Friday. A child must be present to receive a meal. [Click here for more information]
Comcast
Comcast has been coordinating with emergency management, health officials and other government leaders to support the collective effort to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Recently, Comcast announced the implementation of the following new policies for the next 60 days to Keep America Connected:
- Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone
- No Disconnects or Late Fees
- Internet Essentials Free to New Customers
- News, Information and Educational Content on X1 and Flex
- 24×7 Network Monitoring
- Coronavirus Webpage
- Additional Information Available HERE