In this unique and tumultuous time our community, we aim to help all members of our community remain safe and financially secure. In light of this, we ask that you consider our local businesses and their employees by supporting them in any way you can – whether by shopping online, purchasing gift cards or other considerations. This helps our workers maintain a stable income during an otherwise unstable time.
1. Wash your hands frequently
2. Avoid close contact with others
3. Cover nose + mouth around others
4. Cover coughs and sneezes
5. Clean + disinfect surfaces daily
The Latest
CDC says masks, social distancing not needed for fully vaccinated people
WHAT TO KNOW:
- The CDC has said that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing.
- Businesses may still have mask orders in place
- Guidelines still suggest masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters.
- Deaths from coronavirus are at their lowest point since April 2020.
- This official recommendation applies to people who are two weeks past their final vaccination shot.
- Alachua County’s emergency order expired this week.
- Governor DeSantis’s executive order last week repealed all local mask mandates.
QUOTES:
- CDC DIRECTOR ROCHELLE WALENSKY: “Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities — large or small — without wearing a mask or physically distancing… If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”
- DR. ANTHONY FAUCI: when asked if people can grocery shop without masks: “Oh, yes. Absolutely. I mean, that’s really the whole point that we’re talking about.”
- PRESIDENT BIDEN: “After a long year of sacrifice, Americans who are fully vaccinated can stop wearing masks in most settings. We have more to do — but this is great news.”
READ MORE HERE:
Community Resources
CDC: How to Protect Yourself & Others
Uninsured Patient Advisor Hotline: 833-541-5757
Florida Tropical Weather/COVID-19 Co-Response Guide
Steps to Help Maintain Senior Wellness amidst COVID-19
Meals from Alachua County Public Schools
Meridian Behavioral Mobile Response Team
Business Resources
Florida Business Damage Assessment
SBDC Emergency Bridge Loan Program
SBDC Small Business Guide to COVID-19
SBA Small Business Loan & Guidance Resources
Small Business Council Toolkit
Reopening Businesses Digital Toolkit
Small Business Council Toolkit
Small Business Reopening Playbook
Coast PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculator
US Chamber PPP Loan Forgiveness Guide
Getting Your PPP Loan Forgiven, the Legal Way
Donnelly + Gross Checklist for Reopening Your Business
Donnelly + Gross Guide for returning employees with COVID-19 back to work
Donnelly + Gross – New OSHA Guidelines for reopening
Avison Young’s guide to Returning to the Workplace Amidst COVID-19
Policies Implemented
Alachua County Emergency Order 2020-21 (Phase 1)
Smart. Safe. Step-by-Step Reopening Plan
- All non-essential retail businesses may operate at 75% capacity with responsible social distancing and sanitization protocols.
- Restaurants have the option to offer dine-in service, but must limit to 75% capacity with 6 feet between each table. Salad bar/buffet use is limited.
- Bars, movie theaters, concert houses, bowling alleys and arcades are all allowed to reopen at 50% indoor capacity, with appropriate social distancing between groups and appropriate sanitation.
- Visiting nursing homes and long-term care facilities is prohibited.
- Masks are required in public places except for eating or drinking and those with a doctor’s note
- Bars are not allowed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption per Emergency Order 2020-09
- All nightclubs remain closed
- Museums, botanical gardens and libraries may open but must limit to 50% capacity.
- Hair salons, nail salons and barber shops are allowed to open under certain restrictions.
- Restaurants may serve mixed drinks in sealed containers.
- Fitness centers and gyms may open to 75% capacity with appropriate social distancing measures
- Summer camps for children are allowed to reopen
- Burn ban in effect for Alachua County
- Gatherings of 50 or more people are strongly discouraged
Job Resources
CareerSource North Central Florida
DEO Reemployment Assistance Application
DEO Reemployment Assistance Resource Guide
Now Hiring Series – Payne Construction Group
Now Hiring Series – Union Correctional Institution
Now Hiring Series – Florida State Prisons
Now Hiring Series – Liberty Air
Now Hiring Series – SharpSpring
CARES Act/Paycheck Protection Program Resources
How to be tested
The Alachua County Health Department is offering COVID-19 testing to Alachua County residents, regardless of symptoms. Residents who want a COVID-19 test are asked to call 352-334-8810 for an appointment. A referral from a doctor is not required. If your insurance covers this, it will be billed and no copay is required. If not, it is free. We expect an initial surge of calls. You may have to call back.
Learn more about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) from the Florida Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Working From Home Resources
Business Updates
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For 24 hours from 6 p.m. August 19 to 6 p.m. August 20, The Amazing Give will raise money for local nonprofits through a single online donation platform, providing an easy way to connect you to the charitable causes you care about most.
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Sus Hi Eatstation is scheduled to host two Gainesville Grand Openings: The University of Florida location on August 22and the Butler Plaza location on August 29.
- Community Hospice & Palliative Care is hosting a webinar on Pet Loss: Misunderstood Grief, on Thursday, August 20, from 10 – 11 a.m.
New York Times: The Dos and Don’ts of Online Video Meetings
SkillCrush: The Essential Remote Work Tools You Need to Get Things Done
PopSugar: 60 Free Educational Websites Parents Can Access While Schools Are Closed
LinkedIn: New to Working Remotely? These Resources Can Help
The Next Web: 7 habits of exceptionally successful remote employees
For the Kids:
The GNV Coloring Book, Volume I
Captain Quarantine