There are a few options available for small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

The city has announced a $9 million Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund, which offers grants and loans to businesses seeking financial assistance. Read more about this opportunity here.

On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced a $100 million relief fund for small businesses across the state. The COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA) will provide loans up to $100,000 for businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees. For more information about this program, go here.  Continue Reading

All schools in Pennsylvania will remain closed until at least April 6th, according to a new order issued by Gov. Tom Wolf. This includes all schools in the School District of Philadelphia. The previous order shut down schools through March 27, but in light of the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state (644 total cases were reported on Monday) it was expected to be extended.

In Philadelphia, a $9 million small business relief fund was announced on Monday. The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) launched the fund, which will provide grants and loans to small businesses affected by the pandemic. The fund helps businesses with less than $5 million in annual revenue.  Continue Reading

Mayor Jim Kenney has issued a stay-at-home order for Philadelphians, effective at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 23, to help curb the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the city. According to this new directive, any public or private outdoor gatherings occurring outside a single household are prohibited unless they are related to essential business or essential personal activities.

All residents must stay at home unless they’re buying food or other essential items or seeking medical attention. Outdoor exercise is also permitted, with social distancing.

This latest order will remain in effect until further notice.  Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of UCD

UPDATE: The deadline for submissions to the Baltimore Avenue banner competition has been extended until Friday, March 27. Just a reminder that the winning designer will receive $500 in restaurant gift cards + see their artwork fly above Baltimore Avenue. 

It’s time to update Baltimore Avenue banners! Installed by University City District (UCD) in 2008, current banners (you can see them hung from lampposts along several blocks of Baltimore Avenue) have been in place since the 2012 design competition. UCD and the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA) have announced a new competition for local artists and illustrators to submit designs for new banners.

The winning designs will be incorporated in new banners hung in advance of the June Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (3/20/2020): The City has opened a drive-through testing site in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park in South Philly. The site is open daily from 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and individuals don’t need a doctor’s referral to receive a test. However, only healthcare workers and people over the age of 50 who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are eligible for testing at this site (at least for now). Please read more information here.

(3/18/2020): Penn has opened a COVID-19 drive-through testing site for people whose primary-care physician is within the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine). The exact location of the site hasn’t been revealed. You need a referral from your doctor, who will provide the address of the site. The site offers free testing  – no co-pays or deductibles will be charged.

Here are other free drive-through testing sites around the city, also by referral through their systems:  Continue Reading

All SEPTA City Transit service – buses, trolleys, Market Frankford, Broad Street, and Norristown High Speed Lines – will be operating on a Saturday schedule, starting next week (Sunday, March 22). This timetable will be in effect seven days a week until further notice.

SEPTA is reducing its service in the city due to a decline in ridership since many people are staying home amid the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier this week, SEPTA reduced Regional Rail service.

For more information and updates, visit: septa.org.