COVID-19 Business Support Resources and Updates
COVID-19 is rapidly reshaping the business landscape throughout Delaware, the nation and the world. Conditions are changing on a day-to-day, hour-by-hour basis, and Delaware’s government, healthcare, business and nonprofit sectors are working around the clock to help contain COVID-19 and support Delawareans.
Throughout the pandemic, Delaware Prosperity Partnership remains open for business. Virtual meetings are being scheduled both to maintain momentum on future development and to assist with response and the eagerly awaited recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Here are resources to assist you as we move forward.
Delaware COVID-19 Resources
Governor Carney Lifts COVID-19 State of Emergency — Governor John Carney on Tuesday signed an order that lifts the COVID-19 State of Emergency effective at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1. Click here to learn more.
Governor Carney on Thursday announced a new State of Emergency Declaration and Public Health Emergency – In order to combat the winter surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the State of Emergency will take effect January 3, 2022. Visit this link to learn more. Click here for Governor Carney’s Public Health Emergency extension.
Governor Carney, Lt. Governor Hall-Long Announce Community Investment Recovery Fund for Delaware Nonprofits
Recovery Fund will provide funding for one-time capital projects in communities hard hit by COVID-19; Application for funding now available. Click here to learn more.
Governor Carney, Lt. Governor Hall-Long Announce $50M American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Investment in Jobs Training. Investments will expand Forward Delaware, and fund Pathways 2.0, which will expand the Pathways program to reach more than 6,000 Delaware middle school students and 80 percent of Delaware high school students. Click here to learn more.
Governor Carney Announces Vaccine or Testing Requirement for Educators. Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) announced on Tuesday that educators, school staff, contractors, and volunteers who work in K-12 public and private schools must get vaccinated for COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. Click here to learn more.
Division of Small Business Announces Market Pressure Relief Fund Available for State Contractors. The Market Pressure Relief Fund is designed to assist state contractors facing increased costs for construction materials due to the pandemic. Beginning Monday, July 19, contractors can download the application for the Market Pressure Relief Fund on the Division of Small Business’ website at www.delbiz.com. The deadline to apply for funding is September 30, 2021. Additional information and eligibility requirements for the relief fund can be found at www.delbiz.com.
Governor Carney and Dr. Rattay on Delaware Reaching 70 Percent Vaccination Goal. Governor John Carney and Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), released the following statements on Delaware reaching 70 percent of adults with at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to read the full announcement.
Governor Carney, DPH, DEMA Announce Community COVID-19 Testing Sites. The list of community testing sites includes pop-up and Curative trailer sites, as well as community sites hosted by New Castle County and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center. Click here to read the full announcement.
Governor Carney Signs 29th Modification, Eliminates Distancing and Mask Mandate. Effective May 21st, Delaware modifies social distancing requirements and removes Delaware’s mask mandate. Delawareans, visitors, and Delaware businesses should follow social distancing and masking guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. Click here to read the full announcement.
Governor Carney, DPH Announce Major Changes to COVID-19 Restrictions. Effective May 21, most capacity restrictions lifted; Delawareans should follow CDC mask guidance outdoors; larger events still require plan approval from DPH. Click here to read the announcement.
Governor Carney Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Program Fully Open. Medical providers, hospital systems may vaccinate Delawareans 16+ without high-risk medical conditions. To view details of the Delaware COVID-19 vaccination program visit de.gov/covidvaccine.
Delaware Governor John Carney Announces Pop-Up Testing Locations for COVID-19 Vaccinations. DEMA has coordinated community sites this week in addition to sites at Walgreens and at various hospitals and health care locations. Delawareans can view a full list of COVID-19 testing locations at de.gov/gettested.
Delaware Governor John Carney COVID-19 Vaccination Program Open to Delawareans 16+ with Delaware having administered 502,927 doses of COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday, April 5, 2021. Click here to view details.
Governor Carney, DPH, DEMA announce Community COVID-19 Testing Sites listing community testing sites throughout Delaware next week. Testing locations include pop-up and Curative trailer sites, as well as community sites hosted by New Castle County and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center. Click here to view details.
Governor Carney and DSHA Announce Reopening of COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program with $200 million in financial assistance available to Delawareans struggling to pay rent due to COVID-19 crisis. Click here to learn more.
Governor Carney and the Delaware Division on Public Health (DPH) announced an expansion of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program to Delawareans 50+ or 16+ with high- and moderate-risk medical conditions. Click here to learn more.
Governor Carney Announces COVID-19 Emergency Declaration update on Occupancy Limits Increase in restaurants, retail; tournaments can resume with a plan. Click here to view details.
DE Relief Grants Application Portal to Reopen on Jan. 19 – Repayment forgiveness program announced for grantees that did not experience reduced revenue in 2020. Click here to view details.
Governor Carney Announces Additional Relief Funding for Small Businesses, Arts Organization (December 21, 2020). Click here to view details.
Governor Carney and DPH announce Delaware Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations in Long-Term Care Facilities (December 16, 2020). Click here to view details.
Governor John Carney Issues an Omnibus Modification to the State of Emergency Declaration combining all active COVID-19 restrictions into a single order. Click here to view the order.
Governor John Carney Announces Stay-at-Home Advisory, Universal Indoor Mask Order. Click here to read the message from Governor Carney on COVID-19.
Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced the list of community testing sites throughout Delaware this week. For a full calendar of testing sites in Delaware go to: https://de.gov/gettested
Forward Delaware, a new statewide rapid retraining program created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, will prepare workers for new careers or new skills in IT, healthcare, transportation, logistics and construction via short-term certification studies. Learn more here.
Round 2 of DE State Relief Grant funding of up to $100,000 is open to applications from Delaware small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. Details are at https://business.delaware.gov/relief/.
The Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee Report, which will inform the effort to plan for a potentially dangerous resurgence of COVID-19, has been delivered to Governor John Carney by PRAC co-chairs Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. Read the report at https://governor.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/09/Pandemic-Resurgence-Advisory-Committee-Final-Report_-09302020.pdf.
State of Delaware Announces School Testing Locations – Governor John Carney on Friday, October 2, 2020, announced pop-up school testing locations as many schools prepare to return to school for in-person learning as part of their hybrid return-to-school plan.
- View calendar of pop-up testing locations for students and families.
- View calendar of current pop-up, permanent and other available testing locations.
CORRECTION: The DE Relief Grants HelpLine phone number is 302-672-6816. The portal opens at 10 AM on October 1, 2020, for the second round of DE Relief Grants applications.
ChristianaCare service gives employers workplace confidence with its CareVio program. Learn more here: https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/news/christianacare-carevio/
Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) on Friday announced updates to the State of Delaware’s testing strategy, expanding access to free COVID-19 statewide and providing consistent options for Delawareans to get tested.
The State of Delaware will shift COVID-19 testing from mobile to fixed sites beginning Monday, September 14, 2020. The transition to more permanent, fixed testing sites will expand testing opportunities and provide more testing locations across the state.
Testing sites will be located in several areas throughout Delaware, and include eight (8) drive-through Walgreens locations (five of them newly added), five (5) State Service Center sites; and six (6) Public Health clinics. Testing services will be offered five to seven days per week, depending on the location.
View the new fixed testing site locations by county.
Find COVID-19 testing sites statewide.
Small businesses and nonprofits planning to apply for DE Relief Grants are invited to attend county-specific information webinars on the program hosted by the Delaware Division of Small Business on August 26. Click here for the Zoom links.
Delaware Small Business Relief Grant Program, a joint initiative of the State of Delaware and New Castle County funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will provide least $100 million to more than 3,000 Delaware small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Grants will range from $30,000 to $100,000 and be administered by the Division of Small Business, which will begin accepting applications in early September.
Governor John Carney announces the reopening of the Delaware Housing Assistance Program, which provides financial help to renters affected by COVID-19, and an emergency mortgage assistance program for homeowners who have missed payments due to the pandemic. Click here to view Governor Carney’s Announcement on COVID-19 Housing Assistance Programs
To view details on the Delaware Housing Assistance Program (DE HAP) visit this link: Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
Governor John Carney Creates Workforce Development Program for Unemployed and Underemployed Delawareans – Click here to read Governor Carney’s Executive Order #43.
Governor Makes 24th Modification to COVID-19 State of Emergency Declaration
Delaware Department of Labor Issues Guidelines for Employers and Employees Regarding Returning to Work announcement
Return to Work Guidelines During COVID-19 document
UPDATED – COVID-19 Testing Events in Delaware
Delaware Division of Tourism Business Marketing Academy (Code: DiscoverDE)
Delaware Division of Small Business printable signs for reopening
Delaware Division of Small Business Customer Protection Standards
Creating a Comeback Plan for Your Restaurant: Preparing for a Strong Opening
Delaware’s Reopening PHASE 1 Guidelines
ChristianaCare’s COVID-19 Employee Symptom Monitoring and Virtual Care Program
State of Delaware Official Coronavirus Website
The State of Delaware Resources for Business page may be accessed here.
Information about and an application for the Delaware Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP) are here.
Delaware has been approved for U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans. A fact sheet is here, and application details are here.
The Delaware Division of Small Business chart “Which loan program is right for my business?” is here.
Details about the Main Street Lending Program of the Federal Reserve, which will enhance support for small and mid-sized businesses by offering four-year loans to companies employing up to 10,000 workers or with revenues of less than $2.5 billion, are here.
The State of Delaware Essential and Non-Essential Businesses Spreadsheet is here.
The Delaware Division of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health “Coronavirus Business Briefing” is here.
Access the Delaware Division of Small Business website’s COVID-19 page here.
FINANTA, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that serves all three counties in Delaware, is offering emergency loans of $5,000 to $15,000. Access FINANTA’s website here.
The Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance‘s COVID-19 FAQs are available here.
Delaware Joblink, a service of the Delaware Department of Labor, is offering a special COVID-19 job-search portal here.
Details about the Delaware State Housing Authority‘s Renter Assistance Program are here and its Housing Assistance Program are here.
Information about the steps Delmarva Power is taking to support customers are here.
The Delaware Restaurant Association has formed the Restaurant Industry Emergency Action Trust to provide immediate funding to hospitality workers displaced by statewide shutdowns. Donate or apply for help here.
Read about the list of products and services needed from suppliers to aid in combating the COVID-19 outbreak that is being developed by World Trade Center Delaware here.
The Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership‘s “Solutions for Manufacturing Companies, Healthcare & Service Providers and Government” page may be accessed here.
The Medical Society of Delaware brief “Delaware Unemployment Guidance During COVID-19” may be accessed here.
United Way of Delaware and Delaware Health and Human Services sponsors Delaware 2-1-1, a free, confidential referral and information site that connects people to essential financial, domestic, health and disaster-related resources. Access the website here and a brief on specific COVID-19 food, utilities and health assistance here.
The Delaware Division of Small Business has prepared a map showing businesses in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties that the public can patronize during the statewide COVID-19 stay-home order. To add your business to the map, email the business name and physical address to the Division.
Anchor Security Team is offering free phishing training throughout the COVID-19 outbreak to help protect the community, businesses and individuals from the skyrocketing number of phishing attacks that have occurred since the pandemic started.
A list of the eight free outside Wi-Fi hotspots being made available to those without in-home internet access by New Castle County, Verizon and Assurance Media is available here.
A list of the five free outside Wi-Fi hotspots being made available to those without in-home internet access in Wilmington thanks to WhyFly and the City of Wilmington is available here.
Tech Impact is offering free remote work training webinars on topics such as nonprofit communications, tech committees, donor management software and online survey tools and techniques. Details are here.
A list of Delaware Department of Education student nutrition sites is available here.
Philanthropy Delaware‘s page of links to funding programs and other resources for nonprofit organizations and creative and performing arts individuals and organizations is here.
The Women’s Leadership Initiative of the University of Delaware‘s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics is offering the free webinar series “Leadership in Times of Crisis.” Details and registration are here.
Delaware Business News
Third Extension – Declaration of a State of Emergency – Delaware.gov, June 6,2020
Businesses begin slow process of reopening – DelawareLive, June 4, 2020
Phase I: Most Delaware business can reopen with restrictions – 6ABC, June 1, 2020
Ready to roll: Delaware businesses begin Phase 1 opening – Delaware State News, May 31, 2020
New business will clean and sanitize your outdoor trash cans – WDEL, May 31, 2020
Phase 1: Retail gets green light with some restrictions, but not everyone will be opening at once – News Journal / DelawareOnline, May 29, 2020
As Delaware reopens, here’s what’s open and the rules – News Journal / DelawareOnline, May 28, 2020
Newark based biopharma institute gets $8.9 million coronavirus grant – Delaware Business Now, May 28, 2020
AstraZenaca receives $1B to advance COVID-19 vaccine – Delaware Business Times, May 27, 2020
NIIMBL gets $1M to lead expansion of COVID-19 testing, diagnostics – Delaware Business Times, May 26, 2020
Coronavirus update: Delaware hotels can reopen, outdoor gatherings up to 250 permitted – WHYY, May 26, 2020
Coronavirus update: Carney ready to reopen Delaware’s economy gradually – WHYY, May 25, 2020
Applications now being taken for coronavirus contact tracing positions, Delaware Business Now, May 24, 2020
Wilmington teams up with local nonprofits to give free reusable face masks Saturday – News Journal / DelawareOnline, May 23, 2020
State launches COVID-19 education for beachgoers, Delaware Business Now, May 22, 2020
Boy Scouts partner with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield on coronavirus victory gardens – Coastal Point, May 21, 2020
$67 million federal laboratory grant aims to improve Delaware’s coronavirus response – Delaware Business Now, May 21, 2020
Bayhealth begins return to pre-COVID-19 operations – Milford Live, May 21, 2020
Delaware loosens coronavirus restrictions on retailers – NBC10, May 20, 2020
How coronavirus is hitting Delaware’s farmers – News Journal / DelawareOnline, May 20, 2020
Wilmington mayor optimistic city can survive economic impact of coronavirus crisis – Delaware Public Media, May 19, 2020
Retailers in Delaware can open by appointment, in addition to curbside pickup, starting Wednesday – News Journal / DelawareOnline, May 19, 2020
Coronavirus update: Delaware issues Phase 1 reopening guidelines – WHYY, May 15, 2020
Dine in restaurant openings coming sooner rather than later – Delaware Business Now, May 13, 2020
Back to Basics offers free educational resources – Delaware Business Now, May 13, 2020
Gene-editing tech CRISPR could be used to test for coronavirus and find who is most at-risk – Delaware Public Media, May 13, 2020
University of Delaware’s ‘new normal’ to look a lot different – WDEL, May 12, 2020
Coronavirus Delaware: Rehoboth Beach to reopen beach, boardwalk with limitations Friday – CBS3, May 12, 2020
Delaware to reopen farmers markets with new safety measures – The Newark Post, May 12, 2020
200 to be hired for Delaware coronavirus contact tracing program – Delaware Business Now, May 11, 2020
Delaware farmers markets to open under new COVID-19 protocols – News.Delaware.gov, May 11, 2020
Delaware takes first steps toward reopening – Cape Gazette, May 8, 2020
Super-sanitized Delaware hair salon serves grateful customers – WHYY, May 8, 2020
Fully reopening dental offices is like pulling teeth – Delaware Business Times, May 8, 2020
Delaware Prosperity Partnership president optimistic about first step toward reopening – Delaware Public Media, May 7, 2020
Self-employed, independent contractors can file for unemployment this week – News Journal / DelawareOnline, May 7, 2020
Clock ticking for many businesses facing steep sales declines – Delaware Business Now, May 7, 2020
City of Wilmington to distribute masks to some residents – Delaware Public Media, May 6, 2020
KeepUsOpen.com uses crowdfunding to help small businesses, with a twist – Technical.ly, May 4, 2020
Labware rolling out test kit to address nationwide data collection gaps – Delaware Business Times, May 4, 2020
ACME Foundation donates $10K to Salvation Army COVID-19 relief efforts – The Dover Post, May 1, 2020
Building it better together: Finding a job in Delaware – 6ABC, April 30, 2020
Dept. of Insurance helps Delawareans connect with COVID-19 auto breaks – Delaware Public Media, April 29, 2020
Amish families donate 3,000 hand-sewn masks to Nemours Hospital for Children – News Journal / DelawareOnline.com, April 28, 2020
Delaware business owners face uncertainty about reopening – Associated Press, April 28, 2020
ILC Dover adding up to 50 people to meet soaring demand for respirator – Delaware Business Times, April 23, 2020
WhyFly is helping Wilmington provide free Wi-Fi hotspots for students – Technical.ly, April 22, 2020
Incyte approved to test Jafaki as COVID-19 treatment – Delaware Public Media, April 20, 2020
State’s H.E.L.P. loan program raises annual sales ceiling for restaurants to $15 million – Delaware Business Now, April 16, 2020
Meet Delaware’s voice for businesses in the Eastern governors COVID-19 task force – Technical.ly, April 14, 2020
There’s $9M in funds available for Downtown Development District projects – Technical.ly, April 14, 2020
State announces plans for additional alternate care site – Coastal Point, April 14, 2020
How NASCAR tracks are helping during COVID-19 pandemic – Yahoo! News, April 14, 2020
Delaware to work with regional states on how to reopen in midst of coronavirus pandemic – News Journal / delawareonline.com, April 14, 2020
Bayhealth on front lines of COVID-19 crisis – Milford Live, April 13, 2020
‘The house is still on fire’: Delaware joining regional task force to address reopening states post COVID-19 – WDEL, April 13, 2020
Delaware to work with group of Northeast states to plan reopening economy – Delaware Public Media, April 13, 2020
Businesses considering a move to Delaware can still look — virtually – Technical.ly, April 13, 2020
Commentary: Energy grants can empower Delaware communities – Delaware State News, April 13, 2020
Governor Carney and five governors announce multi-state council to get people back to work and restore the economy – news.delaware.gov, April 13, 2020
Grants awarded from two community COVID-19 funds – Delaware Business Times, April 12, 2020
Wesley offers Easter food baskets to Bayhealth employees – Delaware State News, April 12, 2020
Stepping up in the COVID-19 war: CyberStreets, WSFS, Bloom Energy, Columbus Inn/Charcoal Pit – Delaware Business Now, April 12, 2020
Coronavirus Delaware: Disaster recovery company expands business operations to cleaning vehicles to fight COVID-19 – CBS 3 Philly, April 11, 2020
Business survey provides snapshot of layoffs, closures as COVID-19 shutdown bites harder – WDDE Delaware Public Media, April 10, 2020
Opinion: Craft-Brewed Hand Sanitizer – New York Times, April 8, 2020
Millions of dollars flow to Delaware medical research amid coronavirus pandemic – News Journal, April 4, 2020
Highmark Delaware commits $200,000 to Delaware COVID-19 initiative – Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, April 3, 2020
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation donating $200,000 to support communities during coronavirus response – Nasdaq.com, April 2, 2020
Demand will be higher than anticipated for biopharmaceutical manufacturing talent – NIMBL.Force.com, March 31, 2020
DRBA donates 4,000 N95 respirator masks and 2,000 pair nitrile disposable gloves in Delaware and New Jersey – dscc.com, March 30, 2020
How I Work (from Home): Investment portfolio manager and futurist Jim Lee, Technical.ly, March 30, 2020
Supporting Delaware’s Small Businesses through COVID-19 – First State Insights podcast, March 28, 2020
FMC donates 165,000 masks to Philadelphia-area hospitals – Philadelphia Business Journal, March 27, 2020
Brandywine High students using 3D printers to help meet need for mask in coronavirus fight, The News Journal, March 27, 2020
DuPont expediting production of hazmat suits for health care workers – nbcnews.com, March 26, 2020
Gov. Carney announces request for assistance from vendors: State requests private-sector assistance to supply products and services to assist with COVID-19 response – news.delaware.gov, March 25, 2020
Keep calm … and small business on – Delaware Business Times, March 24, 2020
The critical time is this week: Why we must follow Carney’s order to stay home (Opinion) – The News Journal, March 23, 2020
Sharing critical supplies: UD donates gloves, masks and other personal protective equipment – UDaily.com, March 23, 2020
Can’t find hand sanitizer? Delaware distilleries might be here to help – Delaware Today, March 20, 2020
Del. farmers see growth amid pandemic – Delaware Business Times, March 19, 2020
Small business owners: Keep an eye out for possible coronavirus loan scams – business.delaware.gov, March 19, 2020
Del. Department of Labor adjusts unemployment rules for hospitality workers amid coronavirus outbreak – business.delaware.gov, March 18, 2020
How to set up online gift cards for your small business – business.delaware.gov, March 17, 2020
Google My Business tips to keep customers informed – visitdelaware.com, March 2020
Additional Help
INFORMATION
U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program
U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Guide to the CARES Act
FDIC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Bankers and Customers
America’s SBDC COVID-19 Small Business Resources
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Resources to Help Your Small Business Survive the Coronavirus
U.S. Department of Labor Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
International Economic Development Council COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Summary
Restaurant Opportunities Center United Relief
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund
DoorDash COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program
United States Bartenders Guild Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
CDC Foundation Emergency Relief Fund
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration CDL Waiver
American Trucking Associations COVID-19 Update Hub
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Page
U.S. Department of the Treasury Coronavirus Page
SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute) Resources for Small Businesses Dealing with COVID-19
Understanding the Paycheck Protection Program
RESOURCES
The Lonely Entrepreneur’s free survival guide for volatile economic times
These 5 tech companies are providing free remote working tools during the coronavirus outbreak
Facebook announces $100 million program for smalls businesses impacted by coronavirus (Sign up for updates until the application period opens at Facebook Small Business Grants Program)
Help wanted: Grocery stores, pizza chains and Amazon are hiring
ADVICE
Video: “How to Network Virtually When You Can’t in Person” with Brooke Miles of Delaware ShoutOut
The best ways to professionally network while socially distancing during coronavirus
How to survive working from home — when the kids are home, too
Try these tips to keep your cool at home
Top tech tools to keep your team connected during coronavirus