The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals is monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 concerns on public safety.
The Governor and the State of Washington has issued Proclamation 20-25 regarding “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers”.
WALP has created this page to keep you informed and updated as we move forward.
COVID-19 Washington State Proclamation 20-25 and Updates
- Washington Essential Critical Infrastructure Proclamation
- Construction Guidelines
- Guidance Bulletin – Proclamation 20-25 03.31.2020.pdf
- WALP Essential Service Advocacy Letter sent to Governor Inslee, state legislators and state representatives.
- Inslee signs new COVID-19 order for phased re-opening of Washington’s economy dated May 5, 2020
- Phase 1 Construction Restart COVID-19 Job Site Requirements – effective April 24, 2020
- General Coronavirus Prevention Under Stay Home-Stay Healthy Order Date: April 7, 2020
- Implementation of Phase 1 Construction Restart – Proclamation 20-25 – Dated April 29, 2020
- Phase 1 Landscape Services and Outdoor Maintenance Industry COVID-19 Requirements
- FAQS ON THE GOVERNOR’S APRIL 29, 2020, MEMO ON CONSTRUCTION
Washington State Resources
- Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19) Business & Workers webpage
- Policy Brief April 2020: SAFE RETURN TO PUBLIC LIFE IN WASHINGTON STATE
- New agriculture industry guidance from L&I spells out safety and health requirements during pandemic
- Washington State Dept of Commerce Bulletin – State launches web form to clarify “essential” businesses under COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation
- Washington State Dept of Commerce Bulletin – Commerce and Employment Security Department leaders partner for economic resilience and recovery effort during COVID-19 outbreak
- Washington State ESD Shared Work Program
- Resources and Information for Washingtonians and Small Businesses Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis from Senator Cantwell
- WA Department of Health COVID-19 page
- Washington State Department of Health Resources and Recommendations
- Health insurance enrollment: WA Special enrollment period Health Benefit Exchange
- WA State Hospital Association
Federal COVID-19 Resources
- CISA Guidance
- US Department of Commerce – Coronavirus Emergency Loans – Small Business Guide and Checklist
- Emergency funding to offset coronavirus impacts on your business
- Federal programs helpful for many businesses
- Assistance for Small Businesses: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- EPA Cleaning/disinfecting guidelines
- OSHA’s Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (PDF)
- Higher risk people: follow this Centers for Disease Control guideline.
National Association of Landscape Professionals Resources
- NALP – https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/Coronavirus
- State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance
- The Landscape Industry and COVID-19 Statement
- COVID-19 Operating Guidelines for Landscape Industry Companies
- Letter stating that lawn and landscape are essential services
Other Association Resources
- AmericanHort Coronavirus Resource Center
- Association of Washington Businesses COVID-19 Resources
- National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Coronavirus Resources – included member shared documents for plan implementation
- National Association of State Department of Agriculture Resources
- Illinois Green Industry Association (IGLA) Coronavirus Resources
- Irrigation Association Resources
- Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) COVID-19 Resources
- Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) COVID-19 Resources
Resources for Businesses
COVID-19 Resources for Your Business: www.business.wa.gov/site/alias__business/1561/covid-19.aspx
Tax Relief
- IRS Extends 2020 Tax Filing Date: The tax-filing deadline will remain July 15, but the IRS will waive penalties and interest on tax payments for 90 days. Click here for more.
- Excise Tax Filing Assistance: The Washington State Department of Revenue will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their excise taxes on time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Affected businesses may qualify for filing extensions or penalty waivers. Click here for more.
- The Washington State Department of Revenue: A helpful guide that outlines frequently asked questions about how to file and pay online, audits, and more. Click here for more.
- B&O Tax: The Washington State Department of Revenue is allowing businesses to request a one-time, 24-month penalty waiver if you have not owed a late penalty in the last 24 months. Also, businesses can request a 30-day extension of B&O taxes without payment or 30+ days with deposit. For more information, call (360) 705-6705.
Financial Relief
- Loans
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering disaster loans up to $2 million (flyer), with an interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere. Nonprofits can apply too, at a 2.75% interest rate. Click here for more. Click here to apply.
- Other Small Business Administration loans. Click here for more.
- Grants
- Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund: Details expected by end of March. Click here to read more.
- Facebook is soon offering small business grants. Click here to read more.
- Snohomish County Coronavirus Response Fund grants
- Seattle Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund – for community based organizations helping priority populations at the front lines of the crisis
- Grant County COVID-19 Loan Fund
- The city of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development has been allocated $1.5 million to help qualifying small businesses. These businesses must be located within Seattle and have five employees or less, among other criteria. Businesses may receive grants up to $10,000. Click here to learn more and apply for these Seattle Small Business grants.
- Amazon has created a $5 million Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund to help small companies located within a few blocks of its Seattle headquarters. Click here to learn more and apply for the Amazon neighborhood small business relief fund.
- Insurance
- If employers have bought the right endorsements, insurance policies may cover cancelled events or businesses losses. Contact the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner at 1-800-562-6900 or go to www.insurance.wa.gov for more information.
Managing Employees
- SharedWork Program: SharedWork is a voluntary business sustainability program that provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. This is a little known but powerful program to help workers stay employed while drawing needed benefits. Learn more »
- The US Department of Labor (DOL): More information will be coming out with further guidance for granting small business exemptions from the Response Act that require employer-paid sick and medical leave. NAHB will be voicing our ideas for this guidance with the agency and will keep you in the loop as DOL develops and publicizes its criteria. Learn more »
- Workers’ Compensation: For questions about Workers’ Compensation and Coronavirus (COVID-19), click here.
WA State Department of Agriculture
Washington State Department of Agriculture: The situation around COVID-19 in Washington State continues to develop. A website capturing statewide efforts has been created and is a good resources for general COVID-19 information. Click here for more.
Foreign Worker Processing Updates
AmericanHort is advocating for our industry. They have created a special page to keep you up to date as developments occur. Click here.
Resources for Employees
- Washington State Unemployment: If you or an employee is affected by COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that may be able to help. The agency has adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation, and quarantine for workers and businesses. Learn more »
- Paid Family and Medical Leave: If you are sick with COVID-19, as with any other illness, a healthcare provider must certify that you are unable to work in order to qualify for Paid Family and Medical Leave. Quarantine (and school closures) are not qualifying events under this program. It is recommended that you use employer-provided paid sick leave if available. Learn more.
- Employment Security Department (ESD): Download an easy to read flyer for COVD-19 Scenario & Benefits Chart. Download flyer »
Graphic Resources
Please use the below flyers to distribute as you see fit in your community and business.