Coronavirus: Suffolk Launches Unit To Address Merchant Struggles

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County launched a Business Recovery Unit in a bid to evaluate and address struggles merchants are facing during the new coronavirus. The unit aims to act as a merchant's one-stop shop for questions and resources related to COVID-19 impacts, and is collecting data on economic and workforce impacts.

Business owners are encouraged to take the COVID Business Impact Survey, which asks a series of questions including the type of business, location, operation status, employee status, and more. The county will gather data on how businesses are being disrupted by the coronavirus. Merchants in need of help can also call 311.

An statewide mandate forced restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos and racetracks to shutter on-premises service indefinitely as of Monday night. On Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced all "non-essential" New Yorkers would largely be forced to stay home starting Sunday night; exempt workers include those in health care, food supply and delivery, pharmacies and utilities.

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The federal government on Thursday issued an emergency declaration to provide economic injury disaster loan assistance to small businesses, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone told media.

The declaration opens the door for the U.S. Small Business Administration to make economic injury disaster loans available to both small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in the state of New York, including Suffolk, Rep. Lee Zeldin said.

The SBA's economic injury disaster loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue — the loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, account payable and other bills that can't be paid due to the disaster, Zeldin explained.

More than 7,100 New Yorkers have tested positive for COVID-19, with 3,000 new cases, Cuomo said Friday. The increase comes after a significant boost in testing capabilities across the state. New York has seen 35 deaths.

"This will hurt the economy," Cuomo said. "I understand that."

Businesses across Long Island have tried to adapt to sweeping lifestyle changes as much as possible. Many restaurants and bars are offering curbside pickup and delivery of both food and alcohol, made possible by the New York State Liquor Authority temporarily easing its restrictions.

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• New York State Of Emergency: What Does It Mean And Why?
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Patch staffer Lisa Finn contributed to this report.