COVID-19 RESPONSE
Apple has developed a coronavirus screening tool in partnership with the CDC, the White House, and FEMA. Access it here.
UPDATE: April 16, 2021
The AARP keeps an up-to-date list of coronavirus-related restrictions in every state. Access it here.
UPDATE: July 1st, 2020
AAMA has created the Health & Safety PSA Video below for the industry to use in their family fun centers and offices. Please contact our office if you would like the actual file. The video’s message includes the CDC’s recommended guidelines for protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.
- Practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet from people you don’t live with.
- Wear a face covering as feasible.
- Stay home if you are sick with, tested positive for COVID-19, or were recently (within 14 days) exposed to COVID-19.
UPDATE: June 4th, 2020
As the country moves slowly through the stages of reopening, AAMA has been made aware that in states where restaurants, retail stores, salons, and even state-sponsored gaming devices are being allowed to reopen/be put back in service, amusement games and arcades are not.
Knowing the diligent work being done to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the playing public by our industry’s owner/operator community, we find these continued restrictions on amusement games to be overly onerous on us, and inconsistent with other, similar consumer interaction devices and venues.
Our lobbyist at Dentons in Washington D.C. has recommended we place a call to action to our members to make their voices heard in the halls of their state government where these unilateral restrictions are still being imposed.
The Statement of Compliance link below will give you access to a letter we published on our social media platforms and industry trade journals. I encourage you to print this letter out, and add your own cover letter stating how the actions you’re taking within your facilities are in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the letter from AAMA.
As an industry, we understand how vitality important it is that when we reopen, we do so in as safe and responsible a way as possible. We’re not asking for any special favors and agree to do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We’re asking to be treated in a similar manner as other businesses so we can start the process of getting our community, industry, and country back on their feet again.
The leadership at AAMA and AMOA want you, our members, to know we are in ongoing communication with our Washington-based lobbyist, Dentons compiling the latest information on programs the federal government will put in place to assist small businesses like yours. We have compiled a list of resources, stories, and programs in the following tabs.
We strongly urge you to make sure the information you’re consuming related to COVID-19 comes from reliable sources, which should include the Center for Disease Control, (CDC). Click here to find the latest information directly from the CDC on this outbreak, and the steps you can take to help limit the extent and duration of this pandemic.
As more information related to federal aid programs becomes available, we’ll be making it available to all our members. If you have any questions, please email info@coin-op.org.
Join AAMA for our webinar series tackling the challenges our industry is facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each webinar is free to members and non-members.
- 04/21 – A New SOP: Sanitization & Cleaning Protocols WATCH HERE
- 04/28 – Financial Assistance & Loans WATCH HERE
- 05/05 – Preparing to Re-Open WATCH HERE
- 05/19 – Leading Through Crisis WATCH HERE
- 05/28 – Reopening – We’ve Begun! WATCH HERE
- 06/02 – Alternative Financing WATCH HERE
- 06/25 – PPP Flexibility Act and What We Now Know Q&A WATCH HERE
- 06/30 – We’re Open – Here’s What It Look Like WATCH HERE
- 01/18 – SBA Opens Door to New PPP Funding WATCH HERE
- 03/09 – Real Estate Success WATCH HERE
- 04/27 – Group Sales: Post Covid WATCH HERE
- 06/15 – An Insider’s View on the Global Supply Chain WATCH HERE
Dentons has prepared a “return to work” guide. You can access the guide here.
Follow this link for Denton’s COVID-19 Resource Hub
The leadership at AAMA and AMOA have drafted a letter for Dentons to deliver to the leadership on Capitol Hill. We are urging Congress to provide relief to our industry in the form of opening lines of liquidity for small businesses to meet payroll until COVID-19 is no longer a threat.
Our members participated in a webinar hosted by our Washington-based lobbyist, Dentons. “The Paycheck Protection Program, and You.” The conversation was led by Dentons Partners, Randy Nuckolls and Michael Zolandz along with Dentons Principle, John Russell, IV.
Follow this link for the powerpoint: https://bit.ly/2R24Pdl
For the audio: https://adobe.ly/2Jv6Met
The CDC regularly updates this page with guidance for Businesses and Employers on how to plan and prepare for COVID-19
>> Here are some great tips on how to effectively work from home
>> COVID-19 and the HR Questions it Poses from Porte Brown
>> Federal CARES Act presentation
>> Paycheck Protection Program information prepared by Dentons
Employee Retention Credit Under the CARES Act
The Employee Retention Credit is a fully refundable tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of qualified wages (including allocable qualified health plan expenses) that Eligible Employers pay their employees. This Employee Retention Credit applies to qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The maximum amount of qualified wages taken into account with respect to each employee for all calendar quarters is $10,000, so that the maximum credit for an Eligible Employer for qualified wages paid to any employee is $5,000.
>> For more information and eligibility requirements, go to IRS.gov
UPDATE: Senate Approves US$350 billion for Small Business Grants
The Senate has passed a bill that will provide up to US$350 billion in forgivable loans to small business concerns, non-profit and veterans organizations and self-employed individuals to cover their expenses during the COVID-19 crisis.
What employers need to know about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (United States)
On Wednesday afternoon, March 18, 2020, the Senate voted 90-8 to send the revised Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), H.R. 6201, to President Trump’s desk for approval. President Trump signed the bill into law late Wednesday evening. This bipartisan legislation dedicates billions of dollars for paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, free testing, and other provisions to aid Americans affected by COVID-19. Below are some highlights of the employment-related provisions of the bill that is set to take effect no later than April 2, 2020.
UPDATE: June 4th, 2020
The Senate has passed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010) which provides more flexibility for participants in the PPP program, including allowing those participants to defer the payment of certain payroll taxes that the CARES Act prevented them from deferring.
More information here
Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
The SBA is offering a loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Click here for more information, how to apply, and a sample form if you wish to start your application.
Click here for the required document checklist for the PPP application
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.
For more information, go to SBA.gov or watch SBA’s webinar
This guide comes from Kevin Williams and Beth Standlee of TrainerTainment in a series of guides for operators of amusement and attractions venues in the changing landscape after lockdown.
Is it Time to Reopen Your Business? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself from Porte Brown
A powerpoint provided by GameTime showing employees the importance of eye contact and body language while wearing masks
11 Social Media Changes to Make in a Coronavirus World from Jay Baer
Harden Your Zoom Settings to Protect Your Privacy and Avoid Trolls from the Electronic Frontier Foundation
Video from Hownd on Best Practices: Cost Savings, Communications, and Taking Care of People during the COVID-19 pandemic
How Your Attraction Can Cope with COVID-19 from blooloop.
Engage Guests When the Gates Are Closed. IAAPA shows 5 ways to continue positive brand promotion during quarantine.
Six Flags Magic Mountain donated 800 pounds of excess food to a local charity while they are temporarily closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Check out the full story here!
Webinar on Actionable Marketing Tips to Prepare for a Successful Comeback hosted by Party Center Software & Hownd
Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here are some tips to avoid scams.
The impact of virtual entertainment experiences during the lockdown on the post-pandemic entertainment landscape from Randy White
How to create a successful virtual event for your company from Jay Baer
Emergency preparedness guide to help your FEC overcome the unexpected
Developing Your Marketing Crisis Plan with Speaker Aleya Harris
FEC International Community Slack Channel Created to Foster Support Among Entertainment Center Owners and Operators
REGIONAL RESOURCES
- Candid has organized funding resources by state and other regions
- Dentons has prepared a COVID-19 US state tracker which is being updated regularly
- Financial Assistance for Small Business from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
- IAAPA has resources listed out by region. Check it out on their “Member Resources” page here