Most IRS Returns, Payments, and Other Items Have Been Postponed to July 15

Below please find updated information from one of our community partners, Cherry Bekaert, regarding upcoming tax deadlines for 2020. If you have any questions concerning taxes feel free to email us at of****@na******.com and we will connect you with your local Cherry Bekaert office.

The IRS recently issued Notice 20-23, which amplifies the relief provided in earlier notices and provides for an almost comprehensive postponement to July 15, 2020, for federal income tax returns, payments, and other time-sensitive acts normally due between April 1, 2020, and July 15, 2020. The items, otherwise due between April 1, 2020, and July 15, 2020, that were noted in our last guidance that have now been postponed to July 15 include:

  • Estate Tax Return (Form 706)

  • Split-Interest Trust Information Return (Form 5227)

  • Corporation Application for Quick Refund of Overpayment of Estimated Tax (Form 4466)

  • Refund claims for which the refund statute of limitations expires between April 1 and July 15

  • Annual Return To Report Transactions With Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts (Form 3520)

  • Application for Change in Accounting Method (Form 3115)

  • Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990)

  • IRA Contribution Information (Form 5498 series)

  • Income Tax Return of a Foreign Corporation (Form 1120-F)

  • Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return (Form 1040-NR)

  • Fiscal-year or short-year returns

  • Second quarter estimates

The items that have NOT been postponed until July 15 are:

  • Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return (Form 941)

  • Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return (Form 720)

The IRS has provided guidance on additional tax acts that have been postponed, including Qualified Opportunity Zone investments, 1031 like-kind exchanges, applications for tentative refunds, and elections under section 163(j), and provided relief to partnerships to be able to file amended returns.

MORE INFORMATION ON TAX ACT EXTENSIONS

There are distinct advantages to starting your tax return preparation process now if you have not already done so, including the acceleration of any current-year refunds you may be due. Furthermore, recently enacted legislation has created significant tax planning opportunities to amend prior year returns for additional refunds as well as reduce current year taxes. Most of these tax planning opportunities require significant analysis and many require separate studies. We strongly encourage you to start now.

Note that you can still file your return but postpone the payment of any federal taxes until July 15.

What is Actually Due April 15?

Below please find some great guidance from one of our community partners, Cherry Bekaert, regarding upcoming tax deadlines for 2020. If you have any questions concerning taxes feel free to email us at of****@na******.com and we will connect you with your local Cherry Bekaert office.

The IRS has issued numerous postponements and extensions of deadlines for returns, payments, retirement plan contributions, and other items normally due April 15, 2020.

Below is a list of items that still have an April 15 deadline:

  • Estate Tax Return (Form 706)
  • Split-Interest Trust Information Return (Form 5227)
  • Corporation Application for Quick Refund of Overpayment of Estimated Tax (Form 4466)
  • Refund claims for which the refund statute of limitations expires on April 15

Additionally, there are certain items on which the IRS has yet to issue guidance. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that the following items, or an application for an extension of time, should be filed by April 15:

  • Annual Return To Report Transactions With Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts (Form 3520)

  • Application for Change in Accounting Method (Form 3115)

There are other deadlines occurring after April 15, but before July 15, that have not been extended. These include:

  • Payroll tax returns (Forms 941), due April 30
  • Excise tax returns (Form 720), due April 30
  • Tax-Exempt organization returns (Forms 990), due May 15
  • IRA Contribution Information (Forms 5498 series), due June 1
  • Fiscal-year or short-year returns due May 15 or June 15
  • Second quarter estimates, due June 15
  • Income Tax Return of a Foreign Corporation* (Form 1120-F), due June 15
  • Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return** (Form 1040-NR), due June 15

In addition to these federal due dates, some states still have not postponed or extended due dates for filing returns and/or paying taxes. To see the current list of state due dates, please click here.

There are still advantages to filing your return by April 15, including the ability to accelerate refunds, if applicable, receive important cash flow planning information, and carry back losses based on the recently passed legislation. Note that you can still file your return by April 15 but postpone the payment of any taxes until July 15.

Enjoy Your Weekend (Virtually)

We’re all working together to practice social distancing and stay safe these days. But social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t be social, and many businesses are offering new ways to do so virtually.

We thought it might be helpful to share a few options to engage with while you are staying safe at home. From virtual museum tours to art classes to meal delivery services, here’s a list of activities happening now or coming soon.

Miami is ready to be explored – virtually that is .

https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/events/virtualmiami

Some of the best local museums have uploaded their exhibits to their websites, so you can peruse some of the world’s best art from your computer.

Perez Art Museum Miami Digital Museum https://pamm.org/digital-museum

The Bass Museum of Art Virtual Tours: https://thebass.org/education/virtual-tours/

For those with kids at home, we know being cooped up can be even more challenging. For those restless tots, check out virtual expeditions from Jungle Island.

https://www.instagram.com/jungleisland/

https://www.timeout.com/miami/news/eco-park-jungle-island-is-now-offering-free-virtual-workshops-for-kids-032320

Beaches are closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch some rays. TimeOut has the solution: You can now work on your virtual tan along 825 miles of the Florida coastline.

https://www.timeout.com/miami/news/find-your-beach-you-can-now-virtually-chill-on-825-miles-of-pristine-florida-coastline-033020

A bunch of local Miami restaurants and chefs are stepping up to offer amazing meal prep kits delivered straight to your door. Now you have no excuse to order pizza every night.

https://www.timeout.com/miami/news/buy-these-diy-meal-kits-and-cook-your-favorite-miami-restaurant-meal-at-home-032720

Wine tasting, happy hour, and cocktail classes have gone virtual. Check out this complete list of local virtual events for all thing boozy.

https://miami.eater.com/2020/3/27/21196741/best-online-happy-hour-classes-wine-tastings-miami

The most gorgeous natural light phenomenon, The Aurora Borealis (or, Northern Lights), has made its way to the small screen.

What better way to relax at home than by catching a light show from the comfort of your couch?

https://www.timeout.com/usa/news/live-stream-the-northern-lights-from-your-couch-tonight-032320

NAI Miami | Fort Lauderdale Pays It Forward South Dade Style

In efforts to keep our staff safe and healthy and give back to our community a group of amazing NAI Miami | Fort Lauderdale team members really stepped it up!

On Monday the NAI Miami | Fort Lauderdale team received this email from our CEO Jeremy Larkin:

We are fortunate to live in Miami and be part of a growing urban area which is so close to the largest winter vegetable and fruit farms in the United States. As a result of the pandemic, these farmers are unable to sell their crops to their usual clients, the local restaurants, airlines and cruise lines for obvious reasons. Rather than leave these crops in the fields, some farms are harvesting them and offering the harvest to the local community in bulk quantity. Bonnie and Jeff Buell volunteered to get up at the crack of dawn today and go wait an hour in line to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Please take what you and your families need. If you can, pay it forward so we can continue our NAI Miami Food Pantry.

Be safe. Be well. Take care of your families and yourself.

The response was incredible!

Together the NAI Miami | Fort Lauderdale team packed bags, coordinated deliveries and even collected enough money to do a second run!

CEO Jeremy Larkin also shared this quotes:

“And that is what the economy is really about: not stocks, not bonds, or corporate profits but human potential.” Umair

It is through challenging moments that your character is forged and one develops the characteristics required to evolve in our paths to personal and spiritual maturity. These are moments of clarity to understand what you are and are not. “Suffering introduces you to yourself and reminds you that you are not the person you thought you were.” Paul Tillich

We are so much more than we imagine ourselves to be.

We hope by sharing our experience we motivate others in our community to step up.

If you are, or know of any other farms or restaurants setting up distributions please contact us!

A Thank You To Our Superheroes!

We at NAI Miami would like to take a moment out of our busy lives to thank some of our heroes in the fight against Covid-19 within our own office, our property management department and maintenance personnel. These men and women are showing up to work every day working tirelessly out in the public to help keep our community and properties safe for all during these trying times.

Many people do not think of Commercial Real Estate as an essential business during times like pandemics and natural disasters. Yet, we are invaluable to our property owners, landlords, tenants and consumers who visit the properties we manage to pick up necessary supplies or to receive care in an emergency such as today.

Our property management department displays unwavering commitment, dedication, care and concern for many people they do not even know. They are at the front lines, working on fixing up properties, securing cleaning services and/or security companies to help ensure the safety for the properties and the people within.

We at NAI Miami want to express our heartfelt gratitude. The words “thank you” are just not enough to express how much we all appreciate you. But it is a start. It has been said before, real heroes don’t always wear capes. And you all prove that over and over again, especially during the hard times such as these.

Thank you for being our Superheroes!

How Covid–19 Will Affect Selling a Property and Using the Proceeds for a 1031 Tax Deferral Exchange

Many of our NAI Miami clients have asked about how this Covid – 19 Virus pandemic will affect them when selling a property and then using the proceeds for a 1031 Tax Deferral Exchange. Though the IRS has not issued a proclamation of a federally declared disaster, we believe the IRS will make the proclamation shortly. The IRS during a federally declared disaster will allow the Seller to extend the time periods so long as the sale was completed before the IRS News Release stated in the information below. The time period extensions have to meet several conditions to be allowed extensions outlined in the information. This is a guide and NAI Miami recommends that you contact your accountants and other financial advisors on how to proceed with your 1031 exchange. Please contact us with any questions.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) provides insight into this question in its Revenue Procedure 2018-58 (the “Revenue Procedure”). The Revenue Procedure allows extensions to such 1031 deadlines in cases of federally declared disasters, but only if the IRS releases an IRS News Release or other guideline authorizing the Revenue Procedure to go into effect. So far, no such publication has been released, but it is possible that will change if the outbreak continues and markets become more unstable. So, for now the 1031 deadlines are still in effect, but real estate investors may want to pay close attention to IRS news releases to see if that changes.

In the event the IRS releases a publication effecting the Revenue Procedure, taxpayers may anticipate the following extensions to go into effect. If the end of a 45 or 180 deadline period falls on or after a date a federal disaster has been declared, the deadline can be extended until the later of: (i) 120 days and (ii) the last day of the general disaster extension period as indicated by the IRS News Release or other guidance which announced tax relief for victims of that particular federally declared disaster. However, it is important for taxpayers to recognize that the above extensions can be cut short; they may never extend beyond: (x) the taxpayer’s tax return due date, including any extension, for the year in which the transfer took place or (y) one year.

To qualify for the above extensions during federally declared disasters, sellers of real property also must meet one of the following criteria:

  • The sold property must have been sold on or prior to the date of the federally declared disaster
  • The taxpayer seeking the extension must be defined as an “affected taxpayer” as will be defined in the IRS News Release or other guidance announcing the tax relief
  • The taxpayer has difficulty making the 45- or 80-day deadline due to the federally declared disaster for the following, or similar, reasons:
  • The sold or replacement property is in the area covered by the disaster
  • The principal place of one of the parties in the transaction is in the disaster area
  • A party to the transaction is killed, injured or missing due to the disaster
  • A document prepared for the transaction is destroyed, damaged or lost as a result of the disaster
  • A lender decides not to fund the closing due to the disaster; or
  • A title insurance company is unable to provide the required title insurance due to the disaster.

If the federal government declares a disaster and the Revenue Procedure goes into effect, the entire United States will likely be within the federally declared disaster area, and some of the other reasons above may also be applicable. Therefore, many involved in 1031 like kind transactions may find some relief from the normally tighter deadlines imposed on them during such transactions.

Shopping & Other Resources for Seniors & Vulnerable Adults: Groceries & Other Items

NAI Miami has put together a list of stores with specialty information for our most vulnerable population. Please share this with anyone who might need to know.

If you know of other places that we don’t mention here, please add a comment below and we will add it!

Remember, we’re all in this together.

Walmart

Delivery to your home:

  • Go to grocery.walmart.com. Shop through departments. Mark favorites to make it easier to shop next time.
  • Reserve delivery time.
  • $30 minimum order. Delivery memberships are $12.95 per month/$98 annual. Single use fee is up to $9.95. Prices are the same as in the stores. $10 off first order of $50 or more. Use code WOWFRESH

Drive Up Option: Purchase is delivered to your vehicle in the parking lot.

  • Select your store. Choose pick up time. They will text you when your order is ready. Drive to store. Park in designated spots. Call number on sign. They will load everything into your car. Notes: They email you if they need to make substitutions. If a substitution they made is not acceptable, just tell the person loading your car and they will remove that item and adjust your bill. No charge. No tipping permitted.
  • $30 minimum order. Prices are the same as in the stores.

In-store shopping for seniors: Tuesdays March 24 -April 28, Walmart stores will open one hour before regular hours for seniors aged 60 and older. Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time.

Publix

Delivery to your home:

  • Go to delivery.publix.com to shop. (Facilitated by Instacart.) select your items. Check out & and select delivery time.
  • Prescriptions cannot be delivered.
  • The Instacart “shoppers” will text you if product or quantity substitutions are necessary due to availability.
  • You will be texted an estimated arrival time when the delivery is on the way.
  • Yearly membership $99 or $3.99 per delivery. First delivery fee is waived.
  • Minimum purchase $10. (Note: Instacart prices are slightly higher than in-store prices. Also, availability is the same as in the stores so they don’t have toilet paper either.)

Drive Up Option:

  • Order at delivery.publix.com. Choose pick up time. Drive to Publix at selected time, park in the designated Publix Curbside parking space, and call the store using the number on the sign. Give the Publix associate your name, and they will bring out your order and load it into your car.

In-store shopping for seniors: Publix will be opening for Seniors only for one hour at 7am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning Tuesday March 24, 2020. The pharmacy will also be opening at 7am on those days.

Winn Dixie

Delivery to your home:

  • Delivery through Shipt. Membership required. $99 annually or $14 monthly. Orders over $35 are free with membership. Smaller orders are welcome but will incur a $7 service fee. Prices are the same as in the stores
  • Prescriptions cannot be delivered.

In-store shopping for seniors: They have a “suggested” seniors only shopping hour from 8 to 9AM, but aren’t enforcing it.

Aldi

Delivery to your home:

  • Go to https://www.aldi.us/en/shop-now/grocery-delivery/ (Delivery facilitated by Instacart)
  • Check out & and select delivery time.
  • The Instacart “shoppers” will text you if product or quantity substitutions are necessary due to availability
  • You will be texted an estimated arrival time when the delivery is on the way
  • Yearly membership $99 or $3.99 per delivery. free delivery on first 3 deliveries of $35 or more.
  • Minimum purchase $10. (Note: Instacart prices are slightly higher than in-store prices. Also, availability is the same as in the stores.)

No dedicated hours for seniors at this time

Fresh Market

Delivery to your home:

  • Go to https://delivery.thefreshmarket.com/ (Delivery facilitated by Instacart)

  • Check out & and select delivery time.

  • The Instacart “shoppers” will text you if product or quantity substitutions are necessary due to availability

  • You will be texted an estimated arrival time when the delivery is on the way

  • Groceries and prepared foods are available

  • Yearly membership $99 or $3.99 per delivery. Free delivery on first order of $35 or more.

  • Minimum purchase $10. (Note: Instacart prices are slightly higher than in-store prices. Also, availability is the same as in the stores.)

Drive-Up Option:

In-store shopping for seniors: Monday through Friday, first hour of business.

Target

Delivery to your home: Have purchase shipped to you using Shipt or Target.com. Go to Target.com.Select “Same Day delivery” on the red bar near top of page. Then select Grocery or other subtopic.

Drive-Up Option: Purchase is delivered to your vehicle in the parking lot.

  • NOTE: Drive Up is NOT available for perishable food, flowers, adult beverages and other select items.
  • Shop using the Target App; select Drive Up at checkout; wait for notification that order is ready for pick up; tell them when you’re on your way; park in the designated spot & let them know you’re there so they can load up your car.

In-store shopping for seniors and other vulnerable guests: First hour Wednesdays.

Order ahead to pick up quickly in store: They’ll have it waiting at store for you.

Whole Foods / Amazon

Go to https://www.amazon.com/alm/storefrontalmBrandId=QW1hem9uIEZyZXNo

  • Free 2 hour grocery delivery (Food comes from Whole Foods Market) with Amazon Prime membership $12.99 per month / $119 annual membership. *Prime membership also includes video/music/reading services. First 30 days of annual subscription free. Grocery prices are a little higher than other markets.
  • Not available to all locations in Broward.

Costco

Delivery to your home:

  • Membership not required, but 5% surcharge applies to non-members.
  • Go to https://delivery.thefreshmarket.com/ (Delivery facilitated by Instacart)
  • Same day delivery. Select delivery window. Instacart shopper will text or call to discuss a substitute, or refund you for that item. Instacart shopper will deliver your order. You must be present to accept delivery.
  • The order minimum is $35.
  • Yearly membership $99 or $3.99 per delivery. Free delivery on first order of $35. No separate delivery fee for orders of $75 or more.

Online orders shipped and delivered like any other package.

In-store shopping for seniors: Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 – 10:00 Coconut Creek location.

BJ’S Wholesale Club Instacart

Delivery to your home:

  • Go to https://www.bjs.com (Delivery facilitated by Instacart)
  • Instacart Yearly membership $99 or $3.99 per delivery. Free delivery on first order of $35 or more.

Drive Up Option: Shop through Instacart. Purchase is delivered to your vehicle in the parking lot.

Dollar General

Daily, first hour of business.

Big Lots

“First hour each day reserved for senior citizens and those most vulnerable to this virus.”

Amazon

Delivery to your home: Order non-perishable foods and other items at https://www.amazon.com

Restaurant Deliveries

Multiple delivery services will allow you to order from local restaurants that wouldn’t previously have had delivery service. (Fast food restaurants, full-service restaurants, etc.)

Here are 5 similar delivery services. (While each service does multiple restaurants, and most restaurants are served by more than one of these delivery services, not all restaurants are serviced by all services, so check to see which service your favorite restaurants.)

Note: Delivery fees combined with service fees can add up; check before you order.

Ubereats.com

  • Service fee (15% of order) + small order fee ($2) on orders under $10 + delivery fee (varies based on distance/time of day, but is currently $0 on many restaurants) + tip. Fastest delivery time.

Grubhub.com

  • Delivery fee (based on distance from restaurant) + small order fee on orders under $10 + tip.

Postmates.com

  • Delivery fee + service fee (percentage-based), + small order fee + “blitz pricing” during busy periods + tip.

Doordash.com Order fee and delivery fee

  • The standard delivery fee is $5.99. This can go up as high as $8 depending on distance or the agreement DoorDash has with the restaurant. During certain promotions, you can get discounts on delivery orders over $15.

Deliverydudes.com Order fee and delivery fee

  • delivery fee: $5 when paid in cash and $7 paid by credit card.
  • This service does NOT have you pay in advance. The delivery driver accepts your payment and usually has the Square card reader.

To order:

  • Go to the selected Delivery Service site.
  • Enter your zip code or address to see what restaurants are in their database in your area.
  • Select a restaurant. It will indicate the minimum order- each restaurant is different.
  • Delivery fees are additional (and may vary depending on time of day and demand), and tips for the driver are highly recommended.

Struggling to Make Meals as Well as to Obtain Ingredients?

Meals on Wheels of South Florida

  • Delivery to your home.
  • Regular and Kosher options available
  • Call (954) 731-8770

Aging & Disability Resource Center of Broward County

NAI Miami Challenges You to Reposition Yourself and Learn Something New!

If you had all the time in the world what would you do?

NAI Miami challenges everyone to reposition themselves and learn something new as we quarantine to keep ourselves and loved ones safe and healthy.

Stay busy the smart way and pick up a book, listen to a podcast or do a deep dive into the “How To” world on Youtube.

Use the hashtags:

#LearnSomethingNew

#LearnSomethingNewChallenge

#ChallengeYourself

#StayBusy

#NAIMiami

#NAIMiamiStepsUp

To show us what you’re learning and how you are stepping up.

Challenge your friends and family to learn something new with you!

Things our NAI Miami family are learning:

  • How to create a podcast
  • How to edit using Adobe Premiere Pro
  • How to speak French
  • How to get more involved and help others

What are you going to learn?

#LearnSomethingNewChallenge to let us and your friends and family know that your staying busy the smart way.

If you’re interested in any Real Estate topics like:

  • How to invest in Real Estate?
  • How to get into Real Estate?
  • How to protect your Real Estate?

NAI Miami can hopefully teach you something new.

Check out our podcast Getting on the Greenwith Craig Merlin

Or find us on Youtube at NAI Miami

SBA Loan information for your Small Business

We understand what all Small Businesses are going through, if you’re in need of financial assistance. Please make sure you check out these resources.

SBA Disaster Assistance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now providing up to $2 million in low-interest Disaster Loans in designated states and territories for business impacted by COVID-19.

The loans are available for economic injury caused by COVID-19. Small businesses can use loan proceeds to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Eligible uses include paying fixed debts, payroll, accounts receivable, and other bills that cannot be paid because of COVID-19 impacts.

Loan terms can be up to 30 years and the interest rate is 3.75% for businesses determined to not have credit available elsewhere. Nonprofits are eligible for loans at 2.75%. You can apply online today at this website: https://www.sba.gov/disaster

On March 26th, Florida SBDC at FIU is hosting a 30-minute webinar titled “SBA Disaster Assistance & COVID-19”. This webinar will discuss the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and provide a walkthrough on the online application process. Register for this short but insightful webinar today at: go.fiu.edu/assistance

Florida Emergency Bridge Loans

On Monday, the State of Florida activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Eligible business applicants can apply for an interest-free, one-year loan up to $50,000. Loans up to $100,000 can be made in special circumstances.

To be an eligible business applicant, all of the following must be true:

  • The business must have been established and actively operating a business physically located in Florida prior March 9, 2020.
  • The business must be a for-profit, privately held small business that has or had a minimum of two (2), but no more than one hundred (100), employees within the previous year of the date of the declared disaster (March 9, 2020). For purposes of this eligibility requirement, a minimum of two employees means the aggregate number of W-2 employees, “1099 employees” (i.e. independent contractors), and leased employees.
  • The business must have repaid, in full, any previous Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan.
  • The business applicant must demonstrate that the business has suffered significant economic injury and is unable to pay current operating expenses as a result of COVID-19.

More information on the program is available at: https://floridadisasterloan.org/ and you can now apply online here: http://floridajobs.org/rebuildflorida/businessrecovery

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

Facebook announced it will be providing $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in 30 countries. Applications are expected to roll out in a few weeks. In the meantime, more information on this program can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/business/grants

The company also has a Business Resource Hub that includes free information for small businesses on how to deal with impacts from COVID-19, best practices, and a self-assessment tool that you can download. That site is here: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/resource

How Do You Maintain a Safe Workplace? Coronavirus (COVID -19) in the state of Florida

Dear Community Member,

There are a slowly growing number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID -19) in the state of Florida. We continue to monitor and be proactive in connection with the Coronavirus. We are sending this communication to help connect people to resources and make each of us aware of steps we can take.

Below is a list of official websites to contact to be informed of the latest recommendations:

General info from the CDC : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

General info from the WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The CDC Recommends:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Follow CDC ’s recommendations for using a face mask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID -19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID -19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. o If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

How Do You Maintain a Safe Workplace?

U.S.-based employers may have concerns about compliance with workplace safety laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Under OSHA, workers have the right to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm; to receive information and training about workplace hazards, among others. Employers should monitor the development of the coronavirus and analyze whether their employees could be at actual risk of exposure.

Employers may refer to OSHA’s Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic. While not written to address coronavirus specifically, this guidance does provide steps employers can take to address public health crises.

Employers should take some basic steps to help prevent the spread of disease and keep employees healthy

  • Educate employees on the signs and symptoms of the coronavirus and the precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk of contracting the virus. At present, the CDC believes symptoms appear within two to fourteen days after exposure, with some infected individuals showing little to no signs.
  • Provide hand sanitizer and hand washing stations, flu masks and facial tissues; encourage employees to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Minimize unnecessary meetings and visitors.
  • Assess the risks of exposure by identifying workers who may have recently traveled to, come in direct contact with, or are scheduled to go to areas where there are confirmed Corona virus cases.
  • Implement and/or evaluate workplace emergency response protocols.
  • Implement travel guidelines and procedures for approvals for travel.
  • Allow sick employees to work from home or take leave as appropriate.

Together, as a community, we can work proactively to slow down or eliminate the potential risk to our community.

—————————

Estimado miembro de la comunidad:

Hay un número creciente de casos confirmados de Coronavirus (COVID -19) en el estado de Florida. Continuamos monitoreando y siendo proactivos en relación con el Coronavirus. Estamos enviando esta comunicación para ayudar a conectar a las personas con los recursos y hacernos conscientes de los pasos que podemos tomar.

A continuación se muestra una lista de sitios web oficiales para contactar para estar informado de las últimas recomendaciones:

Información general de los CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Información general de la OMS: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

El CDC recomienda:

Evitar el contacto cercano con personas que están enfermas.

  • Evitar tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca.
  • Quédese en casa cuando esté enfermo.
  • Cúbrase la tos o estornude con un pañuelo desechable, luego tírelo a la basura.
  • Limpie y desinfecte los objetos y superficies que se tocan con frecuencia con un spray o toallita de limpieza doméstica.
  • Siga las recomendaciones de los CDC para usar una máscara facial.
  • Los CDC no recomiendan que las personas que están bien usan una máscara facial para protegerse de las enfermedades respiratorias, incluido COVID -19.
  • Las personas que muestran síntomas de COVID -19 deben usar máscaras faciales para ayudar a prevenir la propagación de la enfermedad a otras personas. El uso de mascarillas también es crucial para los trabajadores de la salud y las personas que cuidan a alguien en entornos cercanos (en el hogar en un centro de atención médica).
  • Lávese las manos con frecuencia con agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos, especialmente después de ir al baño; antes de comer; y después de sonarse la nariz, toser o estornudar. o Si no hay agua y jabón disponibles, use un desinfectante para manos a base de alcohol con al menos 60% de alcohol. Siempre lávese las manos con agua y jabón si las manos están visiblemente sucias.

Cómo mantener un lugar de trabajo seguro?

Los empleadores con sede en los EE. UU. Pueden tener inquietudes sobre el cumplimiento de las leyes de seguridad en el lugar de trabajo, incluida la Ley de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (OSHA). Bajo OSHA, los trabajadores tienen derecho a condiciones de trabajo que no presenten un riesgo de daño grave; recibir información y capacitación sobre riesgos laborales, entre otros. Los empleadores deben monitorear el desarrollo del coronavirus y analizar si sus empleados podrían estar en riesgo real de exposición.

Los empleadores pueden consultar la Guía de OSHA para preparar los lugares de trabajo para una pandemia de influenza. Si bien no está escrito para abordar el coronavirus específicamente, esta guía proporciona los pasos que los empleadores pueden tomar para abordar las crisis de salud pública.

Los empleadores deben tomar algunas medidas básicas para ayudar a prevenir la propagación de enfermedades y mantener saludables a los empleados:

  • Educar a los empleados sobre los signos y síntomas del coronavirus y las precauciones que se pueden tomar para minimizar el riesgo de contraer el virus. En la actualidad, los CDC creen que los síntomas aparecen dentro de dos a catorce días después de la exposición, y algunas personas infectadas muestran pocos o ningún signo.
  • Proporcionar desinfectante de manos y estaciones de lavado de manos, máscaras contra la gripe pañuelos faciales; alentar a los empleados a lavarse las manos con agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos; y limpiar y desinfectar objetos y superficies que se tocan con frecuencia.
  • Minimice las reuniones y visitas innecesarias.
  • Evaluar los riesgos de exposición mediante la identificación de los trabajadores que pueden haber viajado recientemente, entrar en contacto directo o programar visitas a áreas donde hay casos confirmados de virus Corona.
  • Implementar y / o evaluar protocolos de respuesta de emergencia en el lugar de trabajo.
  • Implementar pautas de viaje y procedimientos para la aprobación de viajes.
  • Permita que los empleados enfermos trabajen desde casa o se despidan según corresponda.

Juntos, como comunidad, podemos trabajar de manera proactiva para frenar o eliminar el riesgo potencial para nuestra comunidad.