COVID-19 Survival Guide for Finnish SME’s operating in the US
Is your company doing or planning to do business in the US? Below you can find a list of valuable resources regarding the current pandemic and its impact on the United States.
Financial Support and Assistance due to Covid-19
U.S. Federal Government
- US Federal Government support for companies doing business in the US(Link to another website.)
- U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) information on financial support for businesses in the US (including Paycheck Protection Program, Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Grant, Express Bridge Loans, Debit Relief, and Loan Forgiveness(Link to another website.)
- Covid-19 Tax Relief(Link to another website.)
- Federal assistance and resources for employers and employees by U.S. Department of Labor(Link to another website.)
New York State
- New York State assistance and guidance for NY-state based businesses(Link to another website.)
- Receive updates from the Governor of New York(Link to another website.)
New York City
- Financial assistance and resources for NYC businesses (Link to another website.)
- Receive updates from the Mayor of New York(Link to another website.)
- For text alerts from NYC, text COVID to 692-692
Finland
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Guidance for businesses(Link to another website.)
- Business Finland: Funding During Pandemic(Link to another website.)
- Business Finland: Funding for Business Development in Disruptive circumstances(Link to another website.)
- Finnvera’s guarantee services(Link to another website.)
Legal Implications
- In the US, varying rules and regulations exist on different levels: federal, state, county, and even city level (you can read more here(Link to another website.)). Because of this, it is of essence to discuss with a legal expert about the impact Covid-19 may have on your business. In case your business, and the ability to perform as contracted, is impacted it is important to check the clauses in the contract. E.g. force majeure clauses may or may not be usable, depending on the type of your business and how they are stated in the contract.
- Eversheds Sutherland legal updates (Link to another website.)
- Crowell and Moring Corona resource center(Link to another website.)
- Federal and employment law FAQ(Link to another website.)
- Sick leave and business closings(Link to another website.)
- Negotiating M&A deals(Link to another website.) (Link to another website.)
- Force Majeure in contracts(Link to another website.)
Visas and Immigration
- General on visas including covid-19 updates(Link to another website.)
- Customs and border protection(Link to another website.)
- The Department of State has temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates(Link to another website.). Embassies and consulates have cancelled all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments as of March 20, 2020. As resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services.
- Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak(Link to another website.) (Issued on April 22nd)
- All travel advisories(Link to another website.)
Contacts in New York
- Consulate General of Finland in New York: sanomat.nyc(at)formin.fi (General inquiries), Imran Ahmed imran.ahmed(at)formin.fi, Sanna Andersson sanna.andersson(at)formin.fi
- Business Finland New York office: Niklas Kiviluoto niklas.kiviluoto(at)businessfinland.fi
- Finnish American Chamber of Commerce FACC: Marko Salonen marko.salonen(at)facc-ny.com