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Dear Friends,

The Key to NYC program, requiring proof of vaccination for indoor activities, went into effect on August 17. The mandate applies to indoor performing arts venues, nightlife establishments, movie theaters, restaurants and other venues listed in the guidance materials. Enforcement will begin September 13.

Today, the Mayor issued Emergency Executive Order No. 228, revising the previous Key to NYC requirements concerning proof of vaccination. The changes address indoor dining, indoor entertainment, and indoor fitness in residential and office buildings and amend the “Just Cause” Worker Protection Law for Fast Food Employees to address termination for failure to comply with the vaccination mandate, among other things. The full text of the Mayor’s Emergency Executive Order No. 228 is available on the main portal for Key to NYC--www.nyc.gov/keytonyc—which also includes links to the following resources:

• Key to NYC Frequently Asked Questions

• Key to NYC Guidance for Businesses on Equitable Implementation

• Key to NYC Business Flyer

• Key to NYC Written Implementation Protocol Template

• Vaccination Required Poster for Businesses

• Key to NYC: Vaccination Mandate Conflict Resolution Training for Businesses (video)

Note: The Key to NYC website will be updated regularly with new guidance and resources. The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) also will continue to provide additional updates as they become available.

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 UPDATES

Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which will now be marketed as Comirnaty. In addition, Mayor de Blasio announced that beginning September 27, the City will require proof of vaccination for all New York City Department of Education workers.

People ages 12 and older are eligible for the vaccine. (Note: People who are between 12 and 17 years of age are eligible only for the Pfizer vaccine.) In addition, the Centers for Disease Control announced that the COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (meaning they have a weakened immune system) are now eligible for a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine 28 days after the completion of their two-dose vaccine series. Find more information on the NYC Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine webpage.

On August 18, the CDC announced that it is prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose. (We will keep you informed as more information is available.)

Reminder: Labor Law section 196-b allows employees to use sick leave for the recovery of any side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination and section 197-c allows leave to receive vaccinations.

It’s never been easier to get a vaccination:

• You can find your nearest COVID-19 vaccine site online or call 844-VAX-4NYC.

• Vaccinations are available at some schools throughout August; see the list of dates and locations on the Department of Education’s website. (The first week of NYC public school starts on September 13!)

• There are now many walk-up vaccine sites throughout the City where appointments are longer required. See a list of sites where you can get a walk-up vaccination today.

• The NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses and Vans visit neighborhoods across the five boroughs to offer convenient, ADA-accessible COVID-19 vaccinations. The full schedule is available here. In-person interpretation in multiple languages and multilingual vaccine materials are available on site. Appointments are not required, but you can book in advance online or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC.

• Free transportation to vaccination appointments in NYC is available for city residents 65 and older and those with disabilities who have no other way to get to a vaccination site. To arrange for transportation, call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

• Anyone living in the five boroughs can sign up for an in-home vaccination online or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692). Even if you received your first dose of Pfizer or Moderna through a different program, such as a clinic or mobile vaccination site, you can still receive the second dose at home.

• Businesses and other organizations can request a temporary vaccination pop-up site in their facility or neighborhood.

New York City is offering incentives to encourage more New Yorkers get vaccinated. Adults who receive their first vaccine dose at New York City-run sites are now eligible to receive a $100 pre-paid gift card, free tickets, or memberships, and can enter a competition to win exclusive prizes. Anyone who has received a COVID-19 vaccine at any time can take advantage of discounts and giveaways from other NYC businesses by showing their CDC vaccination card.

To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, the Mayor and the NYC Health Department strongly recommend all people over age two to wear masks or face coverings indoors in public places in New York City, even if fully vaccinated. Also, please remember to keep doing what we know works: wash your hands; if you’re sick, get tested and stay home; and get vaccinated.

Travel

The New York State Travel Advisory is no longer in effect. Travelers arriving in New York are no longer required to submit New York State traveler health forms. All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all CDC travel requirements.

As of August 9, American citizens and permanent residents of the United States, who currently reside in the U.S. and who qualify as fully vaccinated travelers, will be able to enter Canada for discretionary travel. For more information, see Canada’s official website.

REOPENING UPDATES

Arts and Entertainment

Applications are open for the third round of grants from the NYC Women's Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, a program in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). Qualified applicants can apply for finishing grants through November 1, 2021.The NYC Women’s Fund was created to address the underrepresentation of female-identified creatives in the entertainment industries. Since the program’s launch in 2018, MOME has awarded $3.5 million to 157 film, theatre, and music projects. Information about the program, including a schedule of informational sessions, is available on the NYC Women’s Fund website.

The third and final cycle of applicants for City Artist Corps grants closed on August 10. A program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York Foundation for the Arts with support from MOME, City Artist Corps Grants are intended to support NYC-based working artists who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Keep an eye out for City Artist Corps activities throughout the five boroughs that are happening until October 31.

Open Culture performances continue to roll out in neighborhoods across the city. The program, which runs through October 31, allows ticketed, socially distanced, outdoor performances at nearly 200 street locations throughout the five boroughs. The NYC Open Culture Program Resources page offers tips for planning and preparation for Open Culture events, links to best practices and protocols for live performance developed by unions and performing arts organizations.

Media Production

Film permittees must follow State regulations on face coverings and social distancing, but the NYS DOH Interim Guidance for Media Production During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is now optional. Please read MOME’s updated FAQ on Production Activity on Public Property in New York City During the COVID-19 Pandemic for answers to questions about remaining health and safety requirements and limitations on film permits. If you have questions about these changes after reading the film permit webpage, please call the Film Office at (212) 489-6710.

Nightlife

The State recently amended Alcoholic Beverage Control Law section 110(1)(g), allowing New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) licensees participating in the Open Restaurants Program to continue serving alcohol on City property for an additional year.  The SLA issued important guidelines that require SLA-licensees that are participants in the Open Restaurants Program to take action.

• Restaurants participating in the Open Restaurants Program before July 7, 2021, must follow the SLA’s instructions for “Licensees Already Utilizing Municipal Property” by providing notification that includes a copy of the authorization from NYC DOT and a diagram of the restaurant’s use of City property

to SLA by October 5, 2021

.

• Restaurants applying to participate in the Open Restaurants Program on or after July 7, 2021, must follow the SLA’s instructions for “New Applicants for Municipal Property.” Specifically, new applicants must provide notice to the applicable community board. Thirty days after providing the notice, a new applicant must send proof of receipt of the notice along with a copy of the authorization from NYC DOT and a diagram of the restaurant’s use of City property.

The legal process to make the Open Restaurants Program permanent is now underway. You can read more about the process on the NYC Department of City Planning’s website.

NYC BUSINESS QUICK START

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has launched a new interagency initiative to cut red tape and support NYC businesses with opening or reopening. NYC Business Quick Start provides small businesses a sole point of contact to help navigate City regulations, guarantees a 48-hour response to all small business inquiries and will cut processing time by 50 percent. The program is a collaboration between several key agencies including SBS, Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). For more information, visit the NYC Business Quick Start website or call 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).

STATE ASSISTANCE

On August 25, Governor Hochul announced an expansion to the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program that will allow more businesses to apply. The Grant Program provides $800 million in assistance for small businesses (including small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations), experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexible grants up to $50,000 can be used for operating expenses, including payroll, rent or mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, personal protective equipment, or other business expenses incurred during the pandemic. Over 330,000 small and micro businesses are potentially eligible for this program, including 57 percent of the State’s certified MWBEs. Application help is available by phone at 877-721-0097.

New York State has launched the New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit to support the entertainment and tourism industries in New York City. The program will offset some of the costs associated with producing a show, including production costs for sets, costumes, wardrobes, makeup, technical support, salaries, sound, lighting and staging. Eligible companies can receive tax credits of 25% of qualified production expenditures. First-year program applicants can receive up to $3 million per production, with second year applications being eligible for up to $1.5 million. More information on the program, including the program guidelines and application, is available on Empire State Development’s website.

On August 24, Governor Hochul announced that the state is expanding outreach under the NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). ERAP began accepting applications on June 1. Applicants to the program automatically receive protections from eviction while their application is pending. Eligible low and moderate-income households can get up to 12 months of their back rent paid, three months of future rent, and other assistance. There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program, and the State recently announced a new streamlined application process for New York’s rent relief program to help eliminate potential barriers for eligible New Yorkers to receive funding. NYC’s Human Resources Administration website offers information about the program, as well as a list of organizations that can help New Yorkers with their applications.

Moratorium Updates: There are many eviction protections available to NYC Tenants. Up-to-date information and resources are available on NYC’s 311 portal.

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant applications closed on Friday, August 20, 2021—the SBA is currently reviewing the remaining 4% applications. Later in August, the U.S. Small Business Administration will open the program for supplemental SVOGs for 50% of the original award amount, capped at a total of $10 million (initial and supplemental combined). Details will be announced at a later date. As of August 23, New York State applicants received more funding than any other state: 1297 grants totaling $1,372,494,128. A complete list of grant recipients is available on SBA’s website. See SBA’s FAQ if you have applied but have not yet been notified of an award. For more information and to view applicant resources, visit the SVOG website. For SVOG application portal technical support such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts to SVOG assistance.

The American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses. Find out more on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website.

Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, sole proprietors and independent contractors can still apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Learn more about EIDL and the Targeted EIDL Advance and Supplemental Targeted Advance.

Borrowers may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. The SBA launched a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA. The new forgiveness platform will begin accepting applications from borrowers on August 4, 2021. Information about PPP loan forgiveness is available on SBA’s website.

The arts, entertainment, and hospitality industries were hit hard by the pandemic, with high unemployment rates. Many workers are experiencing housing insecurity and challenges with rent and mortgages. Please visit the federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s webpage to find help, whether you are a renter, homeowner, or landlord.

***

For the latest updates, sign up for MOME’s newsletter, follow our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or visit our website at www.nyc.gov/mome.

Stay safe and stay NYC strong,

Anne del Castillo

Commissioner

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

www.nyc.gov/mome

@NYCMOMECommish

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

nyc.gov/mome

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