COVID-19 Resource Center

The Montana Brewers Association is here to help our members through the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding economic crisis. We created this page to provide a collection of valuable information, guidance and resources for Montana breweries and their employees.

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General Resources

Centers for Disease Control

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides helpful information for businesses, schools, health care professional, organizations and the general public regarding COVID-19 and how to prevent transmission.

Go to the CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) page for their resources and information on COVID-19.

The CDC recommends practicing good hygiene and taking the following steps to avoid contracting and spreading the disease:

• Clean your hands often. Wash for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Practice social distancing.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Cover mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. More details on How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask:
  • Wear masks with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19
  • Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
  • Masks should be worn by people two years and older
  • Masks should NOT be worn by children younger than two, people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance
  • Do NOT wear masks intended for healthcare workers, for example, N95 respirators
  • CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters or face shields. Evaluation of these face covers is on-going but effectiveness is unknown at this time.

More details on the CDC How to Protect Yourself page.

Brewers Association

The Brewers Association has also compiled resources and information specifically relevant to the brewing industry including cleaning and sanitation resources, guidance for businesses and legislative information. See the BA Coronavirus Resource Center for details.

Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force

Get the latest information from the Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force including links to relevant information from state agencies.

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Workplace Resources

OSHA Guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19  and the OSHA Fall 2020 Compliance Assistance Newsletter with details about the SafetyFestMT and additional Covid-19 resources, including How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask.

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

See MMEC notes from their March 16 Greater Gallatin Valley Manufacturing Partnership call regarding COVID-19 and Flu response by Montana manufacturers.

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Guidance for Reopening and Off-Premises Sales

Breweries may continue to offer packaged beer to-go, including “curbside sales,” and may engage in home delivery. Taprooms reopened to the public on May 4 with temporary rules in place to protect public health while allowing breweries, bars, restaurants and distilleries greater flexibility for outdoor seating, curbside and home delivery.

Reopening Guidance

See Department of Revenue – Phase II Guidance (updated Nov. 17, 2020) for details on the rules for operating under Phase II.

The Brewers Association put out this Checklist for Reopening to help breweries think through the reopening process.

Curbside and Delivery Guidance

Breweries may conduct off-premises sales of packaged beer following these rules:

• Beer orders may be placed by phone or electronically.
• Breweries may engage in “curbside sales,” bringing orders out to customers on the sidewalk or in the parking lot.
• Breweries may offer home delivery of packaged beer.
• No third party deliveries of beer. While delivery services like Uber Eats may deliver food, they may not be used to deliver beer.

Breweries must follow all applicable laws including the “Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service Act” (MCA 16-4-1001 through 16-4-1009):

• All staff serving to the public must receive Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training.
• No sales to persons under 21 years of age.
• No sales to persons who are intoxicated.
• Home delivery sales may not be completed if the person is underage or intoxicated.
• Ensure compliance with all state and local open container laws.

See Guidance from DOR for more details on curbside and delivery.

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Resources for Affected Businesses

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans

Low interest loans (3.75% for up to $2 million) are available to affected businesses in Montana. See the SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application for more details. The CARES Act also includes emergency grants of up to $10,000, providing immediate relief within three days. The CARES Act also provides small business debt relief to cover 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans. See the SBA Loan Resource Center and the SBA Loan Q&A on the BA site. The BA has also posted a replay of the Power Hour webinar SBA Assistance for Brewers During the COVID-19 Crisis; What’s Available.

Montana Business Assistance Programs

The State of Montana has a variety of grants available for businesses, nonprofits and individuals. More details on grants, requirements and deadlines are available at the Montana Department of Commerce Coronavirus Relief page.

Paycheck Protection Program

The CARES Act created a new $350 billion program for small businesses, providing loans up to 250 percent of average monthly payroll capped at $10 million. For details see the information sheet from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

• PPP EZ Loan Forgiveness Application
• Instructions for EZ Loan Forgiveness Application
• PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
• Instructions for Loan Forgiveness Application

Resources from WIPFLi

MBA Associate Member WIPFli has posted this COVID-19 Resource Center including information on the recent announcement from the Treasury of a 90-day tax payment extension, information on the CARES Act and how to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program.

See WIPFLi’s PPP Loan Forgiveness Memo

Resources from Avitus

MBA Associate Member Avitus has this COVID-19 Resources Page with information on government assistance for employers, the Payroll Protection Program, employee leave, and more. They also have a COVID-19 Virtual Hotline Form.

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Resources for Affected Workers

Unemployment Insurance

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced emergency rules that:

• Allow workers who are temporally laid off due to COVID-19 to be eligible for unemployment benefits.
• Waive the one-week to expedite benefits.
• Waive the requirement to apply for jobs if the unemployed worker maintains contact with the employer and intends to return to their job.
• Prevent claims from being charged to the specific employer’s account.

Additionally, the CARES Act:

• Provides an additional $600 per week to those out of work.
• Expedites benefits by including payment for the waiting week and provides emergency staffing flexibility to quickly process claims.
• Expands benefits to include independent contractors and the self-employed.
• Provides an additional 13 weeks of eligibility for those unable to find work after the crisis subsides

Brewery staff who have been laid off due to COVID-19 should apply for unemployment benefits online through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Additional Support for Affected Workers

• Bartender Emergency Assistance Program from the USBG Foundation