Find a full list of Governor Hogan’s executive orders here, and find guidance on business closures here, here and here. If “essential” or “non-essential” status is still unclear, please use this as guidance.
Business Closures & Restrictions During COVID-19
- AS OF 8 P.M. ON MARCH 30, THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS UNDER A ‘STAY-AT-HOME’ ORDER. – All those living in Maryland are ordered to stay in their homes or places of residences, except to participate in essential activities. Read the executive order.
- AS OF 5 P.M. ON MARCH 23, ALL NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES IN MARYLAND ARE ORDERED TO CLOSE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. – Read Governor Hogan’s executive order for more information. For guidance on this order, including a list of businesses, organizations and facilities which may remain open, please read the interpretive guidance here, here and here. If “essential” or “non-essential” status is still unclear, please use this as guidance. This list draws on federal guidance regarding the essential critical workforce, which can be found here.
- If you have a question whether or not your business is essential, please contact secretary.commerce@maryland.gov.
- If you have other questions pertaining to essential or non-essential businesses, please email psector@maryland.gov, which is monitored by the Maryland Emergency Management team.
- We encourage all employers to find alternative ways to allow employees to continue working, like teleworking. We also encourage companies to find other methods to continue providing services, whether that is through remote-assistance or off-site delivery services.
- Closure of all Entertainment Venues and Enclosed Shopping Malls – This includes bowling alleys, amusement parks, bingo halls, casinos, racetracks, and other venues, and is in addition to the closure of bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and fitness centers that was previously announced. Businesses which provide drive-through, carry-out, and food delivery services may continue to do so. Read about specific closures in the executive order.
- Carry-out and Delivery of Alcoholic Beverages – Businesses that serve alcohol are now permitted to provide carry-out and delivery of alcoholic beverages. Read the executive order.
- Child Care Providers – As of March 27, all child care providers are to be closed, except those serving essential personnel. For more information on eligible programs or centers looking to reopen, click here.
- Restricted Gatherings of More than 10 People – Social, community, religious, recreation, and sporting events and gatherings of more than 10 people are now strictly prohibited in all locations and venues in Maryland. This follows updated CDC guidelines. Read more about the restrictions in the executive order.
- Businesses Permitted to Operate
- If your business is one that is permitted by the executive order to remain open, and you choose to do so, it is critical that you follow social distancing guidelines and effective cleaning and disinfection, and do everything in your power to prevent groups of 10 or more people from congregating in one area. Public utility, such as the need to provide food or essential supplies, must be balanced with the need to preserve public health. Guidance from the CDC for businesses is available here.
- Please know that we encourage all employers to find alternative ways to allow employees to continue working, like teleworking. We also encourage companies to find other methods to continue providing services, whether that is through remote-assistance or off-site delivery services.
- Currently, there is not a state-issued “Letter of Clearance” or similar document for essential business employees to carry with them. While it is not necessary for drivers in Maryland to have documentation about their purpose of travel, having it may help resolve questions. We strongly recommend that employers draft and print their own letters containing the following items – click here.
- Restricted Use of Public Transportation – Public transit such as MARC, Amtrak, Metro, or bus services should be used for essential travel only. Essential travel means taking trips to work, hospitals, health care providers, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, food distribution centers, schools, to provide care for family members, and other similar destinations. By reducing unnecessary travel, transit becomes safer for those who depend on it, especially essential healthcare workers, and for those who operate it. We encourage all employers to consider telework options where possible. Please visit the Maryland Transit Administration for specifics on essential travel and updated route and scheduling information.
Public Health Emergency Protection Act
The Governor signed emergency legislation on March 19, 2020 that includes:
- No Fees or Co-pays for COVID-19 Tests – Ensuring that Marylanders will not be charged fees or co-pays for COVID-19 tests.
- No Price-Gouging – Prohibits price-gouging for food, fuel, medicine, cleaning products and other essential supplies.
- Workers Cannot be Terminated – Guarantees that Marylanders cannot be terminated from their jobs because they have been isolated or quarantined.
- Unemployment Benefits – Will allow the Secretary of Labor to extend unemployment benefits to workers who cannot work because they are quarantined, at risk for exposure, or to care for a family member with COVID-19.
Financial Assistance
State Programs
- The Maryland Department of Commerce is offering three new business assistance programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund – This $75 million loan fund offers no interest or principal payments due for the first 12 months, then converts to a 36-month term loan of principal and interest payments, with an interest rate at 2% per annum. Learn more.
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund – This $50 million grant program offers grant amounts up to $10,000, not to exceed 3 months of demonstrated cash operating expenses for the first quarter of 2020. Learn more.
- Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund – This $5 million incentive program helps Maryland manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) that is urgently needed by hospitals and health-care workers across the country. Learn more.
- Please visit our Emergency Relief Fund FAQ for any questions you might have about these programs. If you have other questions or concerns about these funds, please email covid-19.application@maryland.gov.
- The Maryland State Arts Council has created special grant opportunities that provide emergency funding to arts organizations and artists in Maryland. Learn more.
Federal Programs
The CARES Act
- The CARES Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. Read an overview here and a Q&A from the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship can be found here. Additional information from the U.S. Department of the Treasury can be found here.
- Under the CARES Act, $350 billion will be used to establish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides loan guarantees to small businesses to assist with payroll costs for workers who are forced to stay home. Loans will be available for firms that meet SBA small business size standards, self-employed, sole proprietors, independent contractors (i.e., workers in the “gig” economy), and certain nonprofits including 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(19)s, and tribal business concerns with fewer than 500 employees.
- For help finding lenders that are eligible to offer Paycheck Protection Act loans, please click here.
- For companies with more than 500 employees, the CARES Act provides $500 billion distributed to distressed industries, including passenger airlines, cargo air carriers, and industries related to national security. Read more.
- The CARES Act also creates a $150 billion Coronavirus relief fund for states and territories.
- $139 billion is set aside for states and is allocated based on population, using latest census data. There is a minimum of $1.25 billion per state. Maryland is expected to receive an estimated $2.344 billion.
- Local governments in jurisdictions with populations of at least 500,000 may request a direct payment from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
- The CARES Act establishes a refundable, 50% payroll tax credit (the Employee Retention Credit) covering up to $10,000 paid per employee, including benefits from the period of March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Read more, and find additional IRS guidance on Coronavirus tax relief here.
- Guidance on COVID-19-related tax credits for businesses providing paid sick-leave can be found here.
- The CARES Act also includes support for economic development agencies and programs, including funding for the Community Development Block Grant, assistance to minority business development centers and minority chambers of commerce, several million for state arts and humanities agencies and partners, and more, to assist businesses in need. Read more.
Small Business Administration
- Governor Hogan announced on March 19 that the entire state of Maryland has received official designation for SBA assistance. Individual businesses can apply directly to the SBA for low-interest loans through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Visit SBA’s website to apply now.
- With the passage of the CARES Act, an additional $10 billion has been added to the SBA’s EIDL program, which provides low-interest loans to companies affected by the outbreak. There is also a new emergency $10,000 advance from SBA. This advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven.
- The expansion of the EIDL program now includes tribal businesses, cooperatives, ESOP’s, individual contractors, sole proprietors, and private non-profits with less than 500 employees.
- Due to high volume on their website, SBA is also accepting applications through email and fax. Download the applications online. You can email them to Ela.doc@sba.gov or fax to 202-481-1505.
- General SBA guidance for businesses can be found here. If you need additional help navigating the SBA process, Maryland SBDC can help.
- For even more help, join one of SBA’s daily webinars or conference calls.
- 3:00 pm, Daily Call – 202-765-1264; ID # 827-299-626
- 5:30 pm, Daily Call – 202-765-1264, ID # 310-688-488
- 10:30 am and 8:00 pm – Zoom Webinar. Download the ZOOM app for free. Meeting # 6794772946. Have all your necessary documents ready.
Local Programs
- Baltimore City has created a $50,000 grant fund to assist local manufacturers with start-up costs related to the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Read more. They are also asking businesses to fill out this survey.
- Baltimore County is asking businesses to fill out this survey to learn how the pandemic is impacting organizations throughout the region.
- Cecil County is providing immediate grant support for businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. Download the application.
- Frederick County is asking businesses and nonprofits to complete this survey to assess the needs of the community.
- The Montgomery County Council has voted to create an emergency grant program and provide $20 million in funding for those impacted by the pandemic.
- The Public Health Emergency Grant Program will provide grant funding up to $75,000 to small businesses and nonprofits. The county will also provide microgrants up to $2,500 to cover costs associated with purchasing teleworking equipment. Read more.
- Prince George’s County is providing $15 million for the COVID-19 Business Relief Fund. Small businesses will have access to loans up to $100,000 and grant funding of up to $10,000. Read more.
- The county is also coordinating efforts for an innovative public-private partnership, which will provide an additional $900,000 in grants. Read more.
- Lastly, the county launched its Hourly Employee Relief Fund. The fund is available for laid-off hourly workers who earned less than $19 an hour. Read more.
Independent Lenders
- Maryland banks, credit unions, and financial service providers are operating under precautionary measures, with increased focus on mobile, phone, and online services. If you anticipate having trouble making a loan payment, please notify your lender or loan servicing company as soon as possible to discuss your options. Early and regular communication is important. More information from the Maryland Bankers Association. And, view a list of credit unions operating in Maryland and their contact information.
Taxes
- Maryland business and individual income taxpayers will be given a 90-day extension for tax payments. No interest or penalty for late payments will be imposed if 2019 tax payments are made by July 15, 2020. See 90-day extension for tax payments for more information, or reach out to taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov with questions.
- Comptroller Franchot also extended business-related tax filing deadlines to June 1. Get additional information regarding business tax returns – including sales and use tax, alcohol tax, etc. – and income tax extensions. For even more information, visit the Maryland Comptroller’s website.
- Businesses who paid their Maryland Sales & Use Taxes for March early may request a refund of their payment by emailing taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov or by calling 410-260-4020.
- Taxpayers who have set up a payment through their own online banking services will need to stop that transaction through their banks. Taxpayers who have scheduled a payment through the Comptroller’s iFIle or bFile can request to have a debit from their account stopped as long as it is at least 3 days prior to the scheduled payment date. If taxpayers have individual requests for assistance, they should contact Taxpayer Services at 410-260-7980 or via email at taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov.
- The federal tax filing deadline has been moved to July 15. Learn more, and find additional IRS guidance on Coronavirus tax relief here. Guidance on COVID-19-related tax credits for businesses providing paid sick-leave can be found here.
- The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) automatically extended the 2020 deadline to submit Annual Reports and Personal Property Tax Returns to July 15 as part of the Hogan administration’s response to COVID-19.
- In accordance with Governor Hogan’s executive orders, expiration dates for trade names and name reservations, as well as entity forfeiture dates, will also be extended to 30 days after the state of emergency is rescinded.
- The majority of Charter and Personal Property filings can be completed online through Maryland Business Express, and turnaround times for those filings remain unchanged.
- All tax credit applications can also be submitted online; homeowners’ and renters’ tax credit applications can be submitted through Maryland One Stop, and homestead tax credit applications through SDAT’s website. Online applications will be immediately acknowledged as received, but all applications are taking longer to process at this time.
- PDFs of all SDAT filings and applications may also be downloaded, printed, and mailed, although the Department strongly encourages customers to complete transactions online when possible as paper fillings will take significantly longer to process
Employer & Worker Assistance
- The Centers for Disease Control has issued guidance for businesses and employees.
- The U.S. Department of Labor has developed some guidelines for how companies can prepare their workplace for COVID-19 (English guide, Spanish guide). In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a COVID-19 website with information specifically for workers and employers. There is also information on issues relating to wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published guidance pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) for employees and employers as well as a general FAQ sheet. Please find additional implementation guidance which includes two posters – one for federal workers and one for all other employees – that will fulfill notice requirements for employers obligated to inform employees about their rights under the new law. In addition, the Wage and Hour Division released a question and answer document about posting requirements, as well as a Field Assistance Bulletin describing WHD’s 30-day non-enforcement policy.
- The Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Labor and Industry enforces the Maryland Health Working Families Act, also known as Safe and Sick Leave, which may be useful for employees who need to take off from work due to COVID-19. Learn more about the Maryland Health Working Families Act here, or email ssl.assistance@maryland.gov.
- If a business experiences a temporary or permanent layoff, Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance’s Bulk Claim Services can open unemployment insurance claims for all affected employees. To determine if a business is eligible, please visit Labor’s Bulk Claims Services Frequently Asked Questions page. If a business is eligible, they should contact a Claims Representative by emailing UI.BulkClaim@maryland.gov. For information on unemployment insurance qualifications, new provisions under the CARES Act as well as an updated process to apply for benefits, visit Labor’s Unemployment homepage.
- Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning enforces the Rapid Response System, which works collaboratively with the State’s businesses and workers to minimize the impact of economic disruptions caused by layoffs and plant or business operations closing.
- Labor’s Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance is available to help Maryland business owners find timely and effective solutions to issues, so they can go about running their companies. They can be contacted by emailing osbra.inquiry@maryland.gov.
- The Maryland Insurance Administration has shared insight into Business Interruption Insurance on their website. MIA has also put together an FAQ addressing insurance-related questions about coronavirus.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to COVID-19.
- During these uncertain times, as businesses transition to remote work and make changes to technology, we are more vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks than ever before. To assist, CAMI is providing an incident hotline for businesses.
Licensing & Permitting
- According to the Governor’s Executive Order, all licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations issued by the state, its agencies or any political subdivision that would expire during the current state of emergency will be extended until at least the 30th day after the state of emergency is lifted.
- Labor’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (O&P) is temporarily extending license expiration dates until May 1, which is subject to being extended as the response to the coronavirus situation evolves. They can be contacted by emailing dlopl-labor@maryland.gov.
- Businesses that are licensed and regulated by Labor’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation can email DLFRFinReg-LABOR@maryland.gov with any questions or concerns they may have about licensing requirements.
Utilities
- Customers with questions about how their gas and electric service or their utility bills may be impacted by COVID-19 can find information and FAQs on the websites of their utility providers.
- BGE customers can find information here.
- PEPCO customers can find information here.
- PotomacEdison customers can find information here.
- Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) customers can find information here.
- Easton Utilities customers can find information here.
- Delmarva Power customers can find information here.
Offers, Donations & Volunteer Resources
We have received several requests from businesses and individuals regarding resources and donations.
- Vendors wishing to contract with the State of Maryland to lease, manufacture or supply goods or services, please contact resource.mema@maryland.gov.
- Donations: MEMA will accept product donations which are:
- Larger corporate donations delivered/transported by commercial carriers. Ex: 5 pallets of bottled water delivered via DHL or England, etc.
- Donations must be PACKAGED in their original packaging/shrink wrap. Ex: Boxed medical gowns or scrubs in sealed unopened sleeves in a sealed shrink wrapped box. No opened or repackaged donations will be accepted by the state.
- For businesses, please enter your donation into this database.
- For non-profits, non-government organizations, and individuals, please enter your donations into this database.
- MEMA will accept corporate services donations. Companies who wish to donate services should contact psector@maryland.gov.
- Donations are also being accepted at four drop off locations in Maryland. Accepted items include specialized medical equipment and some cleaning supplies. Find more information here.
- Cambridge: 3105 Mallard Court, Cambridge, MD 21613
- Ellicott City: 3291 St. John’s Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042
- Hagerstown: 10375 Retreat Way, Hagerstown, MD 21742
- Silver Spring: 15930 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905
- Requests: MEMA does not accept direct requests for PPEs or other items from companies. Companies should contact their local jurisdiction via the Emergency Manager Contact List, which will work with MEMA to fulfill requests.
- Volunteers: MEMA will be the point of contact for LARGE Corporate Volunteers. Those wishing to volunteer large groups of staff and or a multi-jurisdiction statewide scale should send mail to ngs.mema@Maryland.gov. Currently, the largest volunteer opportunity is the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps.
- For charities or community organizations that need help, email ngs.mema@maryland.gov.
- To find even more ways Marylanders can help, visit Maryland Unites.