On the news, you constantly hear about the different organizations and administrations that have the latest information or regulations related to the coronavirus. Many of these administrations are referred to by acronyms which can make it confusing when trying to recall the names of each one. Not to mention, with so many organizations out there, it can be hard to know what each one does. In order to help you learn more about these organizations, we’ve compiled a list of organizations every restaurateur should be familiar with so you can stay up-to-date with the latest information.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA is a federal agency that helps small businesses get started and grow. It provides monetary aid, contracts, and counseling. The SBA offers many COVID-19 relief programs in order to keep entrepreneurs in business such as:
- Debt relief
- Grants
- Loans
Link: https://www.sba.gov/
The White House
If you want to find out what the executive branch’s plan is to tackle the virus, you can visit the official White House website. There you can learn about the current administration’s strategies and response to the virus. Laws related to COVID are constantly being passed and it’s important to understand how they will affect your business.
Link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/priorities/covid-19/
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Whether there’s a crisis or not, the latest news from the Food & Drug Administration should always be on your radar. It offers guides on food safety, educational resources, they announce outbreaks of foodborne illness and recalls of contaminated products. The administration is currently conducting inspections and investigations in order to prevent unsafe food products from entering the market.
Link: https://www.fda.gov/
U.S. Department Of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor oversees working conditions, benefits, rights in the workplace, and develops employment opportunities. Here you can learn about the rights of your employees during the outbreak, such as sick leave. If you should lay off your employees due to COVID, you can also learn about what relief programs are available for them to make things easier.
Link: https://www.dol.gov/
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Because the pandemic originated in China, Asians living in the United States have suffered discrimination in the workplace. The EEOC enforces anti-discriminatory laws to protect job applicants and employees from being denied employment and mistreated based on their:
- Race
- Sexual orientation
- Religion
- Nationality
- Age
- Disability
Read the many resources this site offers to make sure everyone in your establishment is treated equally.
Link: https://www.eeoc.gov/
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC)
The CDC focuses on keeping domestic and foreign diseases from reaching and spreading in the United States. This organization’s site has the answers to many questions employers ask about COVID while also providing guides about testing, contact tracing, sanitation, and many more topics. You can keep your establishment in tip-top shape with all the information available on this site.
Link: https://www.cdc.gov/
Occupational Safety And Health Administration (OSHA)
A part of the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA was created in order to enforce safe and healthy working conditions and offer training to make sure their requirements are met. You should consider checking the website regularly to ensure your establishment follows all of its regulations and requirements. For restaurants, it offers guidance for dine-in, take out, and curbside pickup services.
Link: https://www.osha.gov/
Get Connected
With so many organizations to check in on, it can be difficult to keep track of them all at the same time. Luckily, most of these organizations have social media accounts you can follow, email subscriptions, and even podcasts. This way, you can be immediately alerted when any information or requirements are posted. If you have any questions or concerns, each of these organizations can be contacted by phone or email.
