

Downtown Ithaca COVID-19 Resource Page
Downtown Ithaca is committed to helping provide helpful information and resources to its downtown businesses and property owners. This page is devoted to providing updated links and information as we gather it from various sources nationally, statewide, and in the community that we think will benefit our downtown businesses, property owners, offices and residents.
Daily Updates on the COVID-19 Pandemic:
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance recommends the following pages for daily updates and announcements.
New York State Governor's Office - Watch Governor Cuomo's daily press briefings.
Tompkins County Department of Health - providing daily updates on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the county.
City of Ithaca - Emergency Preparedness Response Plan for COVID-19 and daily updates.
The Ithaca Voice COVID-19 Dashboard - providing daily news from around the county
Noteworthy COVID-19 Updates
Sales Tax Deadline Pushed to June 22
New York State announced on Thursday, May 21st that sales tax interest and penalty relief are being extended through June 22, 2020. The state previously provided relief through May 19 for returns due March 20.
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Governor Cuomo issued executive orders 202.17 and 202.18 requiring all people in New York to wear masks or face coverings in public, including when taking public or private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles.
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IRS extends tax filing through July 15th
Re-Opening Your Business Resources
On Monday, May 11th Governor Cuomo announced the Southern Tier, which includes Tompkins County, is on track to begin a regional, phased reopening.
The following guidance was provided by the State of New York as part of Governor Cuomo's NY Forward Reopening Plan as well as Tompkins County Health Department and other useful guidelines. Please check back often for updates.
New York Forward Reopening Guidance
Tompkins County Health Department
Local Resources
Industry Playbooks
We have collected playbooks from various industry associations. They may serve as a helpful resource for developing your own re-opening plan.
Helpful Q & A Sessions
The following videos are Q&A Sessions organized in Tompkins County to help answer questions and navigate the guidelines set forth by the State of New York in the New York Forward Reopening Plan.
Downtown Ithaca Alliance
On Monday, June 15, 2020 the Downtown Ithaca Alliance hosted a Phase 3 Reopening Q&A webinar with restaurant owners. Watch here:
Tompkins County Health Department
On Friday, May 15, the TCHD hosted a town hall style Q&A so they could review the steps of Phase I and answer questions people in the community might have.
Downtown Ithaca, Chamber of Commerce & City of Ithaca
On Monday, June 3rd, the 3 partners hosted a quick session outlining key steps for office spaces re-opening. Watch it here:
On Friday, May 15, the 3 partners hosted a quick session outlining key steps for retailers to start offering curbside and in-store pickup in Phase I.
Economic Relief Funds and Loan Support for Small Businesses
PPP Forgiveness
The Small Business Development Center for the Southern Tier hosted a Lunch & Learn session dedicated to filing PPP forgiveness on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
Small Business Administration(SBA) Loan Programs: EIDL & PPP
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Business Impact Survey for Tompkins County
The Tompkins Chamber, Tompkins County Area Development, the City of Ithaca, and Downtown Ithaca Alliance seek your input about the impacts you're seeing on your business or organization due to the Coronavirus, what actions you’ve taken, and what resources you’ve availed yourself of thus far (or plan to).
We will continue to survey our stakeholders regularly to more effectively measure the economic impacts from COVID-19, and to better understand the needs you have that require the most attention.
We are asking that the key decision maker only at your place of business or organization take this survey.
Unemployment and Relief Funds for Workers
Resources for Employees & Businesses
Unemployment Insurance & Job Opportunities
The State of New York has announced a waiver to the 7-day waiting period for unemployment insurance for people who have been laid off due to the virus.
Ithaca Tip Jar
Helpful Business Articles & Websites
Recommended Articles on Economic Relief
Recommended Websites
Health & Safety
On April 14, 2020, the New York State Department of Health released updated health & safety guidelines to essential businesses for the workplace and their staff.
Storefront Security
NY State Mandates for Business
Effective Wednesday, April 15 at 8 p.m.
For all essential businesses or entities, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees. This provision may be enforced by local governments or local law enforcement as if it were an order
pursuant to section 12 or 12-b of the Public Health Law.
In anticipation, Tompkins County Health Department is collaborating with TST BOCES to initiate a cloth mask production effort in order to provide cloth masks to essential
businesses that need them for employees.
Marketing Support for Downtown Businesses
List Your Business Online
A Directory of Directories
Locally and statewide, there are a number of directory listings built during the pandemic to specifically list your unique forms of service when storefronts must be closed. We've compiled a list of free placements to help spread the word about your services.
Our Hearts Beat As One Downtown Ithaca
Weekly Merchant/Business Meetings
Has Your Business Model Changed?
Downtown Ithaca is actively updating all business and services offering during COVID-19
Let us know if your hours of operation or types of service change.