Online COVID-19 resources available for aftermarket businesses

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — Several national trade associations are offering support to their members during the pandemic with links to federal agencies, articles, webinars and other resources they could use regarding sanitizing their businesses, applying for financial aid and navigating stay-at-home orders.

Some of the websites with COVID-19 resources include:

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has added a coronavirus (COVID-19) resources page to its website for use by TIA members and others as they navigate the impact of the pandemic, TIA said.

The TIA COVID-19 page contains links and documents from relevant federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The resource page also provides:

• links to TIA’s benefit partners, Federated Insurance and SESCO Management Consultants;
• a template with an accompanying document the industry can use to help identify employees of essential services. “The Essential Service Travel Document is an easy and effective way to give every employee something in writing that identifies them as working for a company that provides an essential service to the transportation industry,” it said;
• a document that identifies employees of tire dealers and retreaders as essential That document can be used in conjunction with the Travel Document to satisfy most questions from local, state and federal authorities, according to TIA; and
• links to pertinent state legislation and other resources.

TIA said it will update the COVID-19 page as new documents and information become available.

The Auto Care Association (ACA) and Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) are collaborating to provide the auto care industry with real-time updates through their respective websites and are working together on members’ behalf at the local, state and federal levels.

The associations are offering several webinars on COVID-19 issues, including:

• COVID-19: Industry Data Resources and Implications;
• Guide to COVID-19 Loans for Small Businesses;
• Understanding COVID-19 Employee Leave Requirements Aand Unemployment Expansion; and
• Virtual Town Hall: COVID-19 and the Auto Care Industry as an “Essential Service.”

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) website offers industry best practices for auto service businesses during the pandemic and provides articles and news on federal programs and information for businesses and members.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has compiled resources on the association’s Coronavirus Updates & Resources page to ensure that SEMA members have the latest information regarding small business loan programs, state shelter-in-place requirements, paid leave requirements for employees, OSHA worker protection requirements and more, SEMA said.

The site also includes links to key information on new laws and guidance from federal and state government agencies that may impact businesses, including:

• Database: How Each State Defines “Essential” Business for Auto Industry Activities;
• Federal Resources and Loan Programs;
• Paid Sick and Family Leave: New Federal Law Requirement for Small Businesses;
•  Department of Labor Guidance on Employee Rights Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act;
• OSHA: Protecting Workers From Potential Exposure;
• SBA: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources;
• IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief; and
• IRS, Treasury & Labor — Coronavirus Related Paid Leave For Workers & Small Business Tax Credits

SEMA has free webinars to help members navigate small business loan programs, including the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), in addition to labor and employment requirements resulting from the coronavirus. The webinars, broadcast on April 8–9, are now available as recordings:

• Understanding New Leave Requirements, Expanded Unemployment Benefits and Key Labor and Employment Laws; and
• Understanding How to Apply for PPP and Small Business Administration Loans.

Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) — which represents automotive aftermarket retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers — has created a COVID-19 support page on its website with weekly updates for members.

The site offers links to Canadian government agencies, including the Canadian Payroll Association and the Ministry of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

Other links:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website offers an Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers with updated cleaning and disinfection guidance; best practices for conducting social distancing; and strategies and recommendations that can be implemented to respond to COVID-19.

The U.S. Department of Labor‘s Wage and Hour Division is providing information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, including effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administratio— (OSHA) provides information for workers and employers about the pandemic, including links to interim guidance and resources for preventing exposures.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers information on loans and debt relief options under the CARES Act and other resources.

Article courtesy of: Tire Business Staff https://www.tirebusiness.com/