Masks, PPP and Independence Day - A Message from Your Chamber President - WINTER HAVEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Masks, PPP and Independence Day - A Message from Your Chamber President

7/2/2020

As we head into the weekend to celebrate Independence Day, I have to be honest, it makes me a bit nervous. Polk County's COVID-19 cases and the percent positives in testing continue to increase. While I know our members are taking this very seriously, I worry that the public-at-large, fatigued of being cooped up and missing each other, has begun to get together in larger groups throwing health experts' recommendations to the wind. Please go into this weekend remembering we are still in the middle of this, and personal accountability and cautionary measures, however inconvenient in the short term, can help keep our economy moving and our businesses open! What happened last week to our bars and breweries is devastating to those small business owners we call our neighbors and friends.

A few updates to share:

Local:

Today the City of Lakeland voted to require masks indoors within the City limits. You can read all of the details here.
As of right now, there are no mask requirement ordinances that cover Winter Haven from either the City government or the County. That being said, we as a Chamber believe that wearing a mask can help protect your employees, customers, family and friends and prevent unnecessary quarantining, loss of productivity, and business closures. We are strongly encouraging you to wear a mask per the CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines.
We have created two printable signs for your use, if you like, to communicate a requirement or recommendation of your employees and customers to wear masks. You can download those signs here.
If you travel throughout the state, the Florida Chamber has put together a running list of the over 40 local ordinances addressing mask requirements. You can view that list here.

Federal:

The U.S. Senate passed legislation that would keep the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) alive just as it was set to close down with $130 billion left unspent. This effort gives the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) the ability to continue approving PPP loans, which can be converted into grants, until August 8th. The U.S. House passed the legislation last night by unanimous decision and sent it to President Trump, who is expected to sign it into law today.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy 4th of July holiday!

All my best -
Katie Worthington Decker
President/CEO

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Masks, PPP and Independence Day - A Message from Your Chamber President

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