All posts in Flatbush Avenue BID News

The Flatbush Ave. BID will be holding our street fair Sunday, June 12.

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Key to NYC Requirements Suspended Beginning Monday, March 7 – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced several changes to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that will continue to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, while simultaneously boosting the city’s economic recovery. In the face of quickly declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and more than 17 million doses of vaccines administered, Mayor Adams announced the suspension of the Key to NYC program.

Beginning Monday, March 7, indoor venues, including restaurants, fitness facilities, and entertainment spaces will no longer be required to check for proof of vaccination before customers enter. Businesses previously covered by Key to NYC rules will still have the flexibility to require proof of vaccination or masking indoors if they choose.

If the number of cases and/or hospitalizations increase, the City will reconsider whether Key to NYC or other vaccine requirements need to be implemented again.

All other COVID-19 mandates will remain in effect. Under the rules, employees will still be required to be vaccinated unless they have received a reasonable accommodation from their employer.

Clarification of Remaining Mask Mandates – Although masks are no longer required in businesses or schools (K-12), they are still required in the following settings:

• All healthcare settings regulated by the Department of Health
• Nursing homes and adult care facilities
• Correctional facilities and detention centers
• Homeless shelters
• Public transportation hubs
• Trains, planes, and airports (Federal regulation)

New COVID-19 Alert Level System Announced – Early Friday, Mayor Adams released a new color-coded system that tracks COVID-19 alerts and keeps New York City residents apprised of the risks they face in New York City. This new system will better help New Yorkers understand the current level of COVID-19 risk and how they can best protect themselves and others based on the current risk. The system consists of four alert levels that outline precautions and recommended actions for individuals and government based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Community Burden Indicator.

• Understanding COVID-19 Alert Levels in NYC (PDF)

• COVID-19 Alert Levels: Definitions and Recommended Actions (PDF)

New York City is currently at a low alert level (green).

Following is the guidance just released from the City about the proof of vaccination (called Key to NYC) that begins Tues. Aug. 17, 2021 for certain types of businesses. Enforcement will begin Sept. 13, 2021. Below are links to Frequently Asked Questions, the City’s Checklist for Businesses, and the flyer which you can print or create your own.

A few important highlights which address questions we’ve been hearing (more details are in the FAQ):

• Children under age 12 (not yet eligible for vaccination) are able to enter all the listed establishments as long as they wear a face mask, except when eating or drinking, whenever they are unable to maintain six feet from other people.
• If your business is covered by Key to NYC, you are required to:
  • post a sign notifying employees and patrons about the vaccination requirement. You can make your own sign (which must be at least 8.5″ x 11″ and at least 14-point font) or post the attached sign.
  • keep a written record of how you will verify proof of vaccination for employees and patrons. This must be on site and available for inspection.
• People who refuse to show proof of vaccination can enter for a brief purpose, like picking up take-out food or paying a bill, as long as they wear a mask whenever they are unable to maintain six feet from other people.

Here is the guidance…

Today, Mayor de Blasio released additional information about the recently launched “Key to NYC” program, which requires indoor entertainment, indoor dining, and indoor fitness establishments to check vaccination records of patrons, full- or part-time employees, interns, volunteers, and contractors with the following two exceptions:

• individuals entering a covered establishment for a quick and limited purpose (using the restroom, placing or picking up an order or service, changing clothes in a locker room, or performing necessary repairs)
• visiting performing artists or athletes (including any members of the team accompanying the performer or athlete), so long as the visiting performer/athlete is in the premises to perform/compete.

Establishments can accept the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record (including photograph or copy of the Vaccination Card), the NYC COVID Safe Pass, the New York State Excelsior Pass or an official immunization record from outside NYC or the United States as proof of vaccination.  Establishments will be required to maintain written records so that inspectors can review how they are implementing and enforcing this mandate.

In addition, establishments must post the attached sign (or a similar sign following specific design requirements) in a conspicuous place near the entrance(s) of the establishment.

The following business are required to check vaccination records under the Key to NYC program:

Indoor Entertainment:

• Movie theaters
• Live music
• Concert venues
• Museums & galleries
• Aquariums and zoos
• Professional sports arenas
• Stadiums
• Convention centers
• Exhibition halls
• Performing arts theaters
• Bowling alleys
• Arcades
• Pool and billiard halls
• Recreational game centers
• Casinos
• Adult entertainment

Indoor Dining

• Restaurants
• Catering halls
• Event spaces
• Hotel banquet rooms
• Bars
• Cabarets
• Nightclubs
• Cafeterias
• Grocery stores with indoor dining
• Bakeries
• Coffee shops
• Fast food / quick service with indoor dining

Indoor Fitness Establishments:

• Gyms
• Fitness centers
• Fitness classes
• Pools
• Indoor studios
• Dance studios
• Sports classes

The “Key to NYC” program kicks off tomorrow and the City will begin assessing fines to establishments that fail to comply with the vaccination mandate on Sept. 13, 2021. Failure to comply will result in violations of not less than $1,000 per offense, and could result in fines of up to $5,000 per offense if the entity is found to repeatedly fail to check for vaccination within a 12 month period.

FAQ

Checklist

Flyer

PPP and EIDL Updates

Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021

11 AM – 12:30 PM

Click here for the recording.

Join us to learn the updated information on PPP and EIDL including the PPP Second Draw Loan Application and PPP Forgiveness Application update. PPP forgiveness is not granted automatically. It is the borrower’s responsibility to submit the correct form with the accurate calculation and information with all required documentation to PPP lenders.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021. Interest rate 3.75% for business and 2.75% for non-profit, 30 years term and one-year deferment. Apply now and you do not have to accept it when your application approved.

Speaker: Ms. Man-Li Lin, Economic Development Specialist, SBA New York District Office