COVID-19 Resources

Updated April 2, 2020
Official Website & Announcements from the CDC
Florida Governor Issues Safer At Home Order
This Order is effective 12:01 am on April 3, 2020. This Order shall expire on April 30, 2020 unless extended by subsequent order.

Based on guidance provided by the Florida Surgeon General and the State Health Officer, all persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside their home only to those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.

For purposes of this Order and the conduct it limits, "essential services" means and encompasses the list detailed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, v. 2 (March 28, 2020) and any subsequent lists published.

Other essential services may be added under this Order with the approval of the State Coordinating Officer, in close coordination with the State Health Officer. The State Coordinating Officer shall maintain an online list of essential services, as specified in this Order along with any approved additions. The online list shall be available on the Division of Emergency Management's website at www.floridadisaster.org and the Florida Department of Health's website at www.floridahealth.gov. Nothing in this order prohibits individuals from working from home; indeed, this Order encourages individuals to work from home. All businesses or organizations are encouraged to provide delivery, carry-out or curbside service outside of the business or organization, of orders placed online or via telephone, to the greatest extent practicable.
- To read the full order click here.
- Essential Services and Activities FAQ
Safer At Home Order Issued by Hillsbrough County
Hillsborough County has issued a Safer-at-Home Order to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This applies to all residents within Hillsborough County including the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, effective as of 10:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020. The order means all Hillsborough County residents are directed to stay at home as much as possible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but provides exemptions to an extensive list of essential businesses and personnel as outlined in the below links.

Non-essential businesses that are unable to maintain the required physical distancing (6 feet) to keep employees and customers safe, must close. Businesses who have questions about how the order impacts them can call the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center at (813) 204-9267.
South Tampa Chamber Statement & Chamber Operations

The South Tampa Chamber continues to be in contact with local, state and federal governments, as well as healthcare officials to gather information and determine the best course of action to protect our community and assist local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read a message to our members.

While we may not be able to currently meet face to face, we still want to provide valuable connection, collaboration and educational opportunities for our members – in a new virtual setting!
Please reach out to the chamber staff with any questions or concerns you may have, or if we may assist your business as we navigate this new experience together. Contact us at (813) 637-0156 or click here to see a staff contact list.
Buisiness & Community Resources

Local & State Resources

City of Tampa Emergency Management

Hillsborough County Emergency Management

Florida Department of Health

Hillsborough County Public Schools

Grab & Go Food Locations for Students

Information from Tampa Electric

We are also sharing information as it happens on the Chamber's Facebook page.
U.S. Chamber Resources
& Guidelines for Business

All employers should be implementing strategies to protect their workforce from the coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations. Download these guides created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which are based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to learn more about how employers and employees can prepare for and address the impacts of the Coronavirus.
Thank you to our partner, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for providing these resources. For additional information and resources, visit www.uschamber.com/coronavirus.
Business Resources

Coronavirus Response Toolkit

The U.S. Chamber has compiled CDC’s coronavirus recommendations for businesses and workers across the country. We encourage you to share these assets on social media, websites, and other channels, and send them to your colleagues and employees. Click here to view the toolkit.

Business Damage Assessment Survey

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on Florida's local businesses, including those in Hillsborough County.
Hillsborough County Business Resources

Hillsborough County COVID-19 Resources for Business

City of Tampa Business Resources

Florida Chamber of Commerce - Facts Not Fear

Sign up for the Florida Chamber's COVID-19 Email Updates

SBA Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
CareerSource of Tampa Bay

CareerSource Tampa Bay offers a full range of career planning services for professional and entry level candidates, including career orientation; turnkey resource centers that assist in the candidate’s job search; career fairs; interviewing techniques; labor market information specific to occupations and industries in demand as well as resume building tips, salary and wage information and more; and professional networking. Learn more at www.careersourcetampabay.com.
- COVID-19 Toolkit
- COVID-19 Disaster Recovery Programs
Unemployment Information

Have you been impacted by efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the state of Florida? File your Reemployment Assistance Claim through CONNECT, Florida’s online Reemployment Assistance System. Also, visit the Frequently Asked Questions for information about resetting your PIN or documents you may need to file your claim. For more information, visit www.floridajobs.org.

Florida Unemployment Guide

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Reemployment Assistance COVID-19 FAQ

CareerSource of Tampa Bay

Employ Florida

Legislative Items

U.S. Chamber Summary of CAREs Act

Policy Tracker by State
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
Florida SBDC

Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County business consultants are available to assist small businesses prepare disaster loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges at no-cost. Visit HCFLGov.net/FSBDC to request a phone or Skype appointment.
US Small Business Administration

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

SBA South Florida Virtual Office Hours

SBA South Florida Webinars
Loans and Financial Aid

NEW - Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

NEW - Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit

UPDATED – Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist (Paycheck Protection Program)

Click here to view our directory of chamber member banks & credit unions

The CARES Act has approved $350 billion in emergency loans for small businesses to help them keep workers employed. In fact, if small businesses maintain or later restore their payrolls, they may not have to repay some—or possibly any—of the loan.

State of Florida Bridge Loan Program for COVID-19

As of March 26, eligible small businesses interested in applying for the Bridge Loan program, a short-term loan designed to help business owners bridge the gap between the time of impact and when the business has secured long-term assistance, should apply for the program online or by mail. Click here for details.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
- For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
- If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
- If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
- The application for borrowers can be found HERE
Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses
- English
- Spanish
IRS Information

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources

Official Website & Announcements from the CDC

Florida Governor Issues Safer At Home Order

Safer At Home Order Issued by Hillsbrough County

South Tampa Chamber Statement & Chamber Operations

Buisiness & Community Resources

Local & State Resources

U.S. Chamber Resources & Guidelines for Business

Business Resources

Coronavirus Response Toolkit

Business Damage Assessment Survey

CareerSource of Tampa Bay

Unemployment Information

Legislative Items

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

Florida SBDC

US Small Business Administration

Loans and Financial Aid

IRS Information

U.S. Chamber Resources
& Guidelines for Business