Keep your business in the know during the COVID-19 outbreak.

With information concerning the Coronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly evolving, DRM is committed to providing you relevant and timely guidance on how to navigate this challenging time. 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

• July 2, 2020: NH’s quarantine requirement is lifted for New England residents. Last Thursday, Governor Sununu announced that effective immediately, New Hampshire has removed the quarantine requirement for New England residents traveling to the state for any purpose.

  Residents from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont will no longer have to quarantine for 14-days when visiting the Granite state. The quarantine requirement remains in effect for residents from states outside New England.

• July 2, 2020: The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have passed a five-week extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The bill for the extension is now awaiting signature from President Trump, who is expected to sign it. If it goes into effect, the timeframe to apply for a PPP loan will be extended to August 8th. Approximately $129 billion in funds remain available to borrow through the program.
• July 2, 2020: The State of Vermont has announced an Emergency Economic Recovery Grant program. There are several grant tracks created under the program, one set through Senate bill S.350, which has been signed into law, and House bill H.966, which is anticipated will be signed into law in the near future. $70 million in grant funds is available under S.350 grant tracks and $96 million will be available under H.966 grant tracks if passed. The application process opens beginning July 6. Eligibility criteria and application instructions are available at the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Economic Recovery Grants site.
• June 29, 2020: SBA has issued a new interim final rule, making revisions to previous guidance to reflect PPP Flexibility Act. Details in Scott Jaunich's write-up.

• June 26, 2020: Fifth extension of New Hampshire’s State of Emergency. On Friday, June 26, 2020, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed an order extending for the fifth time the State of Emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-04. The extension is for 21 days and will expire on July 17, 2020. The full text of the order can be found here.

• June 17, 2020: The SBA has issued a new PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and Instructions in response to the changes to the Paycheck Protection (PPP) Loan Program made pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020.
• June 17, 2020: Governor Sununu signed Emergency Order 52 to transition from a “Stay at Home” Order to a “Safer at Home” Advisory. This Emergency Order was issued along with Exhibits A and B, updating the Universal Guidelines for all NH employers and employees and also, adding guidance for businesses and organizations with unique public health concerns. See Andrea Wright's full write-up.

• June 9, 2020: U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Carranza issued a joint statement yesterday following passage of PPP Flexibility Act last Friday. The Act is intended to provide businesses with more time and flexibility to implement the PPP, thereby keeping employees on the payroll and fostering continued operations. Read Scott Jaunich's full write-up.