Resources for Small Businesses and Residents
Last updated April 18 at 8:45 pm EDT
Continuing Guidelines:
The FDA has extended the expiration date on some at-home rapid Covid tests. You can find a list of expiration dates by brand name here. Insurance coverage for free at-home rapid Covid tests ends May 11! Order yours today!
Restaurants & Bars, Fitness and Entertainment:
Many workplaces have a vaccination requirement, and individual businesses have the right to require proof of vaccination from their patrons. The Mayor’s office discontinued the Key to NYC vaccination and mask requirements.
Workers’ Rights:
See multi-lingual information on workers’ rights or call the hotline: (212) 436-0381
Outdoor Dining and Drinks To-go:
Order takeout and delivery directly from restaurants if possible, or enjoy outdoor dining: enclosures should be at least 50% open.
Drinks to-go: Restaurants and bars that offer substantial food for takeout can sell wine (by the glass only) and cocktails to accompany a food order. Restaurants and bars cannot sell bottles of wine or liquor to-go.
Amplified sound in sidewalk or roadway outdoor dining setups, while not uncommon, is not allowed under the Outdoor Dining program guidelines.
Outdoor speakers and abandoned outdoor dining structures can be reported to the DOT for inspection. The agency will issue a cure order and give the establishment time to comply.
Our local businesses may not be aware of all of these rules. If you feel comfortable doing so, try sharing the guidance and FAQs with them before making an outdoor dining complaint and/or filing a STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY online complaint form.
Retail merchants may vend on the sidewalks within 3 feet of their shops as of right. Many offer online ordering and shipping or curbside pickup!
Personal Care: many salons are working by appointment only, with limited accommodations for walk-ins. Please tip generously!
Health Care: Local health care providers are open by appointment. Please stay current with routine care!
Legal Assistance:
If you’re behind on rent and being pressured with eviction, call or email Cooper Square Committee 212-228-8210 or GOLES (Good Old Lower East Side) 212-533-2541. Please leave a message if you reach a recording, they will respond.
Financial Aid for Small Businesses:
Sign up to receive the latest information from NYC Small Business Services.
Phase One of the New York Forward loan fund has been exhausted, but expects more funds in the coming months. Please check back.
The SBA EIDL loan fund is closed. Call the SBA Hotline 800-827-5722 with questions about applications in progress. SBA continues to offer other funding options for small businesses including traditional SBA loans.
Nonprofit Online Lender Fundera.com also has a wealth of information and answers to FAQs.
FREE expert one-on-one assistance is available to help match businesses with targeted grant opportunities. Check with SBDC technical assistance at Pace, Baruch or Columbia to learn more!
Help us help small businesses!
Fill out this form to get your East Village business on the map or update your hours!
We’re here for our local businesses and residents! Please let us know how we can help you: info@evccnyc.org.
Please check back with this page for updates and sign up for our email list!
