Hear about the guidelines for opening up America safely.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a solicitation to immediately make 30 million barrels of the SPR’s oil storage capacity available to U.S. oil producers that are struggling with catastrophic financial losses due to the combined impacts of COVID-19 and the intentional disruption of world oil markets by foreign actors. The Department currently intends to make an additional 47 million barrels of storage capacity available thereafter.

DOE is coordinating closely with the White House and our interagency partners in the unified response to the Coronavirus.

We have been in communication with our employees across the country throughout this event and have encouraged them to take appropriate precautions and follow CDC guidance. DOE leadership will be issuing further guidance as the situation evolves.

Please follow the Coronavirus Hub and its resources for updates.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a solicitation to immediately make 30 million barrels of the SPR’s oil storage capacity available to U.S. oil producers that are struggling with catastrophic financial losses due to the combined impacts of COVID-19 and the intentional disruption of world oil markets by foreign actors. The Department currently intends to make an additional 47 million barrels of storage capacity available thereafter.

The Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program will offer loans of up to $100,000 to Louisiana small businesses of fewer than 100 employees that are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. To help Main Street and rural businesses sustain operations, the loans will require no payments for 180 days and carry below-market interest rates of no more than 3.5 percent.

The Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program, or LPGP, is a partnership of Louisiana Economic Development, which will provide a loan guaranty fund; the Louisiana Bankers Association, whose membership will provide the loans; and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, which will administer the program. A total loan pool of $50 million will be quickly disbursed to eligible small businesses across Louisiana.

“Time and again, Louisianans have demonstrated the desire and commitment to help their neighbors in times of crisis,” Gov. Edwards said. “The Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program is another great example of that service. So far, we have commitments from more than 30 banks across Louisiana who have agreed to participate in this program. We believe it will be instrumental in helping our small businesses recover from the COVID-19 crisis.”

The Louisiana loan program partners — LED, LBA and LPFA — envision helping small businesses meet critical needs for operating their firms during and beyond the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The beauty of this program is we are not competing with the essential financial products offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration — we are complementing SBA,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “Our bankers know their customers well. They have confidence in the LPFA to administer this program in a professional, proactive manner; and they have the further confidence of an LED loan guaranty fund that will enhance the security of these loans.”

LPGP loans will provide up to $100,000 in immediate financing to help small firms impacted by COVID-19 meet their payroll, retain employees, pay their rent and mortgages, and keep their lights on and their doors open. Interested businesses may find loan details at OpportunityLouisiana.com/covid19, and a list of participating bankers will be posted at the site by Friday as banks complete their participation agreements.

“Louisiana banks play an important role in economic activity, and continue to do so during disaster recovery,” said Louisiana Bankers Association CEO Robert Taylor. “The work Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority have done on this loan guaranty program for small businesses is great. We appreciate the opportunity to get the program details out to all the bankers in the state. The can-do spirit of everyone involved has been very positive.”

“The LPFA has an extensive history of assisting the State of Louisiana in some of its most challenging times,” said President and CEO James W. Parks II of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority. “I am pleased that LPFA’s experience and capacity has allowed us to quickly bring this program forward. Access to funding for Louisiana businesses is a priority, and by working with our Louisiana banking community we can make loan decisions here in Louisiana. This state guaranty program will leverage available funds and enhance eligibility.”

Through the program, bankers will have the flexibility to extend loan terms for up to five years, while interest rates will be below conventional commercial lending rates and no higher than 3.5 percent. To date, participating banks have requested allocations for about two-thirds of the $50 million in loan capacity available through LPGP.

Other lenders interested in participating should contact LED by calling Business Development Manager Kelly Raney at 225.342-0411 or by emailing LEDSmallbizloans@la.gov.

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One of the most important components of the CARES Act is the "Paycheck Protection Program" whereby companies with fewer than 500 workers can access forgivable loans from the SBA through their existing lenders.

Businesses, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and 501(c)(3)s that were in operation on February 15 - and paid salaries and payroll taxes for their employees - are eligible. The new loan will be able to fund employee salaries or compensation; the continuation of group health benefits and insurance premiums; rent or payments of interest on mortgages; utilities; and interest on debt obligations incurred before February 15, 2020. The maximum amount of the loan will be the lesser of $10 million or 2.5 times the average monthly payroll based on the prior year's payroll.

Lenders will have delegated authority to allow the bank to process, close and service a loan without SBA review. All borrower and lender fees will be waived, along with collateral and personal guarantee requirements. Principal, interest, and fees will be automatically deferred for six months.

Businesses that maintain payroll continuity from February 15 through June 30 can request forgiveness on a Paycheck Protection loan. The program provides flexibility for businesses that re-hire workers that were previously laid off. To receive forgiveness, a business will have to work with a lender to document the maintenance of their payroll.

A business can obtain a new Paycheck Protection loan AND an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan so long as they are used for different expenses.

For loan guidance from LABI's national partners at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, including information about eligibility, lender questions, calcuating payroll costs, and forgiveness, click below.

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One-stop webpage for coronavirus-related state tax extensions

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) has extended the filing and payment due dates for several state taxes. LDR has developed a one-stop webpage with information about each extension, organized by tax type, including links to the relevant Revenue Information Bulletins. Visit www.revenue.louisiana.gov/COVID19Extensions.

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Small business owners in the following designated states are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

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Click here to apply.

Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster.The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Avoid scams rampant during COVID-19

If you spot a Coronavirus scam or a deceptive claim about a cure, alert the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint.

More information about these scams and what the FTC is doing to prevent them can be found at FTC.gov/Coronavirus.

Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, you are at risk—and your activities can increase the risk of contracting the Coronavirus for others.

Everyone can do their part. The new recommendations are simple to follow but will have a resounding impact on public health.

‍Download the guide here.

We are working urgently with members of the Louisiana legislature, the state government, our federal delegation in Congress and the federal government to find and develop the best ways to help our industry.
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Please take our survey that will give us crucial feedback to communicate with them.

Find out more and take the survey here. Please share it with your business peers in the industry so we can get as many responses from the oil and gas industry as possible.

Lawmakers need to hear about the full weight of how the price crash is impacting you. If you have not completed the survey, please do so here at your earliest convenience.
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‍Phase2 Labs offers a saliva-based PCR technique to test for COVID-19. This pain-free, highly reliable option is a proven solution for schools, workplaces, and other areas where regular testing is critical to health and safety.

Phase2’s saliva-based RT-PCR tests are:

• As accurate as the invasive deep nasal swabs, but morecomfortable and convenient.
• Self-administered, so they minimize risk to medicalpersonnel and reduce the demands for protective equipment.
• Appealing for kids because the tests are not irritating orintimidating.
• Able to detect the virus in asymptomatic patients, which canhelp protect co-workers, family, and others from exposure.
• Reimbursable by insurance and HSAs.

Phase2 is a CLIA-certified lab based in Nashville, TN, that was recently featured by The Tennessean for its innovative operations and offerings. The lab operates a testing system, developed by Fluidigm, that is one of the only saliva-based, RT-PCR testing techniques that has won Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Louisiana Office of Public Health continue to closely monitor this outbreak. 

The disease has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). This situation poses a serious public health risk. The federal government is working closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this situation.

To prevent the spread of infection, the Louisiana Department of Health is heavily engaged in priority public health actions. These actions include, but are not limited to:

- working with healthcare facilities with presumptive patients to identify exposed healthcare workers and make appropriate recommendations
- ensuring all recommended infection control precautions are implemented in the healthcare facilities until we determine that the patient is no longer infectious, notifying and monitoring close contacts
- coordinating with CDC

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‍All information on this website reflects the most current information provided to the State. It is subject to change based on further investigations, and will be updated accordingly.

CDC is responding to a pandemic of respiratory disease spreading from person-to-person caused by a novel (new) coronavirus.  

The disease has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). This situation poses a serious public health risk. The federal government is working closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this situation.

COVID-19 can cause mild to severe illness; most severe illness occurs in older adults.

Visit the CDC's website for full information.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a memorandum for guidance on the identification of critical infrastructure.

The announcement highlights the following guidelines to help clarify the scope of critical infrastructure and identify key personnel. Critical infrastructure sectors and its essential workers are needed to maintain the service and functions Americans depend on daily and need to operate resiliency during the COVID-19 response.

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Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) identifies 16 critical infrastructure sectors, including the Energy Sector

Specifically, the petroleum, natural, and propane gas industry. This includes emergency response, operations, and maintenance personnel as well as employees needed for end-use fuels, electricity or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing (Employees involved in drilling, extraction, processing, refining, transporting).

Hear about the guidelines for opening up America safely.

Email, hotline support from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; more resources at opportunitylouisiana.com/covid19   Gov. John Bel Edwards and Secretary Don Pierson of Louisiana Economic Development have established an LED help desk that provides email and hotline support for Louisiana businesses impacted by COVID-19.  For COVID-19 business questions, LED may be reached at LEDbiz@la.gov or via the toll-free hotline, (833) 457-0531. The COVID-19 hotline is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Be aware that high call volumes might result in delays. Callers are encouraged to keep trying, leave a voice mail or contact LED via email.

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If a worker at an industrial facility tested positive, is there any kind of protocol to certify the workplace clean before other workers returned to work? In other words is there a certified clean requirement or protocol? The following provides guidance.

Training standards to be followed:

Employers should develop policies for worker protection and provide training to all cleaning staff on site prior to providing cleaning tasks. Training should include when to use PPE, what PPE is necessary, how to properly don (put on), use, and doff (take off) PPE, and how to properly dispose of PPE. (CDC)

Employers must ensure workers are trained on the hazards of the cleaning chemicals used in the workplace in accordance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). (OSHA)

Employers must comply with OSHA’s standards on Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030external icon), including proper disposal of regulated waste, and PPE (29 CFR 1910.132). (OSHA)

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To reduce the impact of COVID-19 outbreak conditions on businesses, workers, customers, and the public

It is important for all employers to plan now for COVID-19. For employers who have already planned for influenza pandemics, planning for COVID-19 may involve updating plans to address the specific exposure risks, sources of exposure, routes of transmission, and other unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 (i.e., compared to pandemic influenza viruses). Employers who have not prepared for pandemic events should prepare themselves and their workers as far in advance as possible of potentially worsening outbreak conditions. Lack of continuity planning can result in a cascade of failures as employers attempt to address challenges of COVID-19 with insufficient resources and workers who might not be adequately trained for jobs they may have to perform under pandemic conditions.‍

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed this COVID-19 planning guidance based on traditional infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices.

It focuses on the need for employers to implement engineering, administrative, and work practice controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as considerations for doing so.