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Doing Business during COVID-19

Recovery Resources

  • Follow reopening guidance: SC Dept of Commerce has compiled reopening guidelines for manufacturers, service providers, cosmetology & fitness businesses, SCRLA has posted guidelines for restaurants, hotels and event venues, the National Retail Federation has issued an operation open doors checklist, and DHEC has issued guidance for hospitality, restaurants and retail
    • UPDATE (JUNE 29, 2020): Starting at noon Monday, masks were required inside grocery stores and pharmacies within the City of Spartanburg to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The ordinance also called for all employees at restaurants and retail stores in the city to wear masks.
  • Plan for cases: DHEC is providing this generalized guidance for use by employers and employees to determine the best practices to utilize in various scenarios involving COVID-19 in the workplace
  • South Carolina's response: Learn about the work of Gov. Henry McMaster's accelerateSC Task Force, designed to help the state recover from COVID-19.
  • Protect your team: Watch this webinar for Find Great People's human resources guidance on bringing staff back to the office, or this webinar where MAU panelists offer tips on implementing and communicating  actionable strategies
  • Educate your customers: Let them know what measures you're taking to ensure customer safety 
  • Keep innovating: Continue to offer online services, delivery and no-contact options, as well as identifying in-demand products
  • Economic outlook: Hear predictions from Wells Fargo Economist Tim Quinlan
  • What's next? Listen to this conversation with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham
  • Best practices for reopening: The SC Chamber unveiled “Business in the Era of COVID-19: A Guide for Moving Your Business Forward," detailing best practices, frequently asked questions and potential liability risks employers face in reopening and ramping up business during the pandemic. 
  • Real estate info for you and your business: See Part 1 and Part 2 of a webinar with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate for what you need to know.
  • Virtual Job Fairs: Click here for info from SC Works Greater Upstate on digital talent recruitment opportunities

 

Mask Guidance

Spartanburg's economic recovery is tied to our ability to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Experts have proven that wearing a mask significantly limits the spread of the virus. 

Please note: Businesses in the City and County may choose to enforce mask requirements that go above and beyond what is required.

  • The City of Spartanburg's Mask Ordinance requires masks for customers and employees in grocery stores, pharmacies and City facilities, where at-risk people are likely to be.
    • Although encouraged, customers are not required to wear masks while supporting the City's restaurants, retail stores and salons, however, employees in these businesses are required to wear masks.
  • Spartanburg County Council’s Mask Resolution strongly encourages the use of masks in grocery stores, pharmacies and County-owned buildings to protect at-risk populations. The resolution does not require the use of masks in these facilities.

financial Resources

business GUIDANCE

  • Get business guidance: The S.C. Department of Commerce has created an online resource center to engage the state's business community on what's available to deal with COVID-19 & the Small Business Administration has compiled small business guidance and loan resources
  • Get HR guidance: FordHarrison LLP recorded complimentary webinars to help businesses navigate COVID-19
    • "Coronavirus Update - Is Your Business Ready for the Employment and Employee Benefit Changes? - WATCH SESSION
    • "Coronavirus Update - Is Your Global Organization Ready? - WATCH SESSION
  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, funded at $105 billion, provides free testing, paid sick leave and unemployment benefits.
  • View this webinar for tips on avoiding scams from the Better Business Bureau
  • BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and its subsidiary BlueChoice HealthPlan have waived all out-of-pocket costs related to in-network COVID-19 medical treatments for members through June 1. Individuals who have lost insurance can contact BlueCross BlueShield to discuss individual coverage options. Click here for more.
  • Give us a call: Need to vet an idea or simply talk it out? Reach out to a team member

How Business can PROTECT SPARTANBURG

We are calling on businesses across the Upstate to protect the health of our community by implementing national CDC guidelines

  • Work from home: We ask that our employers do whatever they can to allow employees who can work from home, to work from home
  • Protect your workforce: We ask employers who cannot operate without employees in office to implement CDC recommendations to protect your workforce - DHEC and OSHA have also issued workplace guidance
  • Educate your employees: We ask you to educate your employees on the symptoms of COVID-19 and the right ways to seek medical assessment as symptoms arise, as we must protect our medical facilities and our emergency rooms
  • Protect our healthcare system: If legally possible, please do not require a healthcare provider's note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way - see FAQs from Spartanburg Regional

HOW SPARTANBURG CAN SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS

Many of our local small businesses will be impacted over the weeks and months ahead. We urge our community to band together and support small business like never before, while following critical recommendations to stop the spread of COVID-19.

  • Support local businesses: Need to buy supplies? Find a local business. If your employees are still on site, consider supplying meals
  • Purchase essentials from locally-owned stores: Spartanburg specialty stores include pharmacies, butchers, wine shops, and prepared foods, just to name a few
  • Patronize local restaurants: Order takeout, curbside pickup and delivery from local restaurants as often as you would go out to eat (or more!)
  • Participate in innovative digital offerings: Support small business offering online classes and entertainment 
  • Shop remotely with local merchants: Need to buy a gift? Choose to shop online at a local store, or purchase from a store offering delivery
  • Buy gift cards to spend later: Go above and beyond to benefit your favorite businesses
  • Choose local vendors: It's not just hospitality and retailers who are losing out on business - select local vendors for your business needs
  • Influence others to do the same: The more people who support local business, the stronger our local economy will be 

 

    

 

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