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Dear Friends,

This week, Mayor de Blasio announced “NYC Homecoming Week” to celebrate New York City’s resilience. Between August 14-22, the City will host concerts in each of the five boroughs, culminating with an historic Homecoming Concert in Central Park on August 21. NYC Homecoming Week events will also include free film screenings hosted by Rooftop Films, NYC Restaurant Week, Summer Streets, iconic events, cultural activities, public art, and more. The week-long celebration will drive support for the mom-and-pop businesses and local organizations that define our neighborhoods and that kept the heart of our city beating throughout the COVID pandemic. To sign up for email updates on NYC Homecoming Week events and tickets, visit the NYC Homecoming Week website. And to get into the spirit of celebration, check out this latest promotional video from our friends at NYC & Company.

REOPENING UPDATES

New York’s state of emergency expired June 25. The following key State requirements remain in effect: regulations for face coverings and social distancing, the State’s guidance concerning the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People, and for indoor venues with attendees exceeding 5,000, the NYS DOH Interim Guidance for Large Scale Performing Arts and Entertainment during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear face coverings in most public settings. And everyone, whether vaccinated or not, must wear face coverings on public transit and in certain settings, such as health care, nursing homes, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters.

“Fully vaccinated” means two or more weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or full doses of the COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (e.g., AstraZeneca, Oxford).

Arts and Entertainment

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced the launch of the $100 million New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit. This two-year program is designed 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.

The New York State Department of Health regulations state that "large-scale indoor event venues with more than five thousand attendees shall require patrons who are not fully vaccinated to wear face coverings consistent with this section; may require all patrons to wear a face covering irrespective of vaccination status; and may deny admittance to any person who fails to comply." Venues must apply this requirement consistent with the ADA and NYS and NYC Human Rights Law, and other laws, meaning that people who are not medically able to tolerate a face covering must be provided a reasonable accommodation. Individuals or entities that violate the regulations are subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation.

The application for City Artist Corps grants is live and applications for Cycle 3 open on July 27 at 10am and close on August 10 at 10am. 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. The program will distribute one-time $5,000 grants to over 3,000 artists to help sustain their practice and engage the public across New York City’s five boroughs this summer beginning July. Artists working in any discipline are eligible to apply. For information on upcoming information sessions from July 22 to August 3 and one-on-one application assistance, please refer to NYFA’s technical assistance schedule.

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. MOME has updated the Open Culture Roadmap: Tips for a Successful Performance in the Street to reflect recent changes in State law and guidance.

Media Production

MOME has rescinded its Commissioner’s Directives on film permits during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 New York State Department of Health regulations state, "Employees of food service establishments who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask or face-covering at all times while at their place of work. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees." Individuals or entities that violate the regulations are subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation.

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).

STATE ASSISTANCE

Applications for the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program are live. 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.

The NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) began accepting applications on June 1. 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. 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: The ban on commercial and residential evictions, foreclosure proceedings, credit discrimination and negative credit reporting related to the effects of the pandemic extends until August 31, 2021. The moratorium that prevents utility companies from disconnecting utilities to residential households and small businesses that are struggling with their bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic extends until December 22, 2021.

FEDERAL 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.

The National Endowment for the Arts is providing American Rescue Plan Grants to eligible organizations nationwide. These funds are intended to help support jobs in the arts sector, keep the doors open to arts organizations nationwide, and assist the field in its response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike other Arts Endowment funding programs that offer project-based support, Rescue Plan funds are intended to support specific operating costs only. Cost share/matching funds are not required.

The Arts Endowment encourages applications from a variety of eligible organizations including: organizations that serve populations that are underserved, such as those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by ethnicity, economics, geography, or disability; organizations with small and medium-sized budgets; organizations from rural to urban communities; and organizations that may be applying for federal support through the Arts Endowment for the first time. For more information and to apply, visit the NEA’s webpage.

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, the Targeted EIDL Advance and Supplemental Targeted Advance.

As of July 19, 2021, SBA awarded Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG) to roughly 650 New York City applicants. A list of recipients is available on SBA’s website. According to SBA’s latest report, SBA is actively reviewing 588 applications and has not begun review of an additional 91. 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.

NYC live-performance venues, businesses, and non-profit organizations applying for SVOG and other federal assistance can access free technical assistance through Curtains Up NYC, a program partnership of MOME and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). Trained counselors are also available for virtual, one-on-one sessions. Information is available on the Curtains Up NYC webpage or 888-SBS-4NYC.

COVID-19 UPDATES

People ages 12 and older are eligible for the vaccine, and it’s never been easier to get a vaccination. You can find your nearest COVID-19 vaccine site online or call 844-VAX-4NYC.

• 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 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).

• NYC residents who cannot leave their home can sign up for an in-home vaccination online or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

New York City is offering incentives—including gift cards, staycations, and free tickets to sports and cultural programs—to encourage more New Yorkers get vaccinated. Adults who receive their first vaccine dose on or after May 25 at New York City-run sites are eligible to choose an incentive and enter a competition to win exclusive prizes. New Yorkers who were vaccinated before May 25 can take advantage of discounts and giveaways from other NYC businesses by showing their CDC vaccination card.

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.

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.

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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 cool, 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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