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The health and safety of customers and workers is retailers’ top priority. NRF is closely monitoring the situation around the developing coronavirus, known as COVID-19, keeping in touch with government agencies, health experts and retailers as the situation continues to evolve.
NRF is addressing the supply chain implications as well as developments related to the spread of the virus globally and domestically. Please come back to this page for regular updates.
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay joins CNBC's Closing Bell to discuss how retailers and consumers are responding to the coronavirus outbreak.
Thursday, March 12: U.S. Department of Labor announces New Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities during COVID-19 outbreak.
Wednesday, March 11: President Trump announced a 30-day ban on foreign travelers from many European countries beginning Friday at midnight. Cargo from the EU is not impacted by the travel restrictions.
The State Department issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory – Reconsider Travel which advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Read the WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19.
Tuesday, March 10: NRF will hold a conference call for the Health and Employee Benefits Committee on Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. Council members can register here.
The Department of Labor issued new guidelines and recommendations for preparing workplaces for COVID-19 along with links to more detailed information and resources.
Monday, March 9: NRF released results of a member survey on workplace policies surrounding COVID-19, including travel policies and personnel issues. (Members-only. Please log in to access.)
NRF's monthly Port Tracker shows the coronavirus outbreak is expected to have a longer and larger impact on imports at major U.S. retail container ports than previously believed.
NRF SVP of Government Relations David French attended a White House meeting with representatives from a small number of business trade associations that represent hotel and lodging, travel and franchise businesses to discuss tax relief for COVID-19.
NRF will hold a conference call for the NRF Strategic Supply Chain Council at 3 p.m. ET on March 10, 2020. Council members can register here.
Thursday, March 5: NRF published updated results to its member survey on the impact of the coronavirus on retail companies. This resource is members-only. Log in to access.
Wednesday, March 4: The White House Office of Public Liaison sent an email with new Administration Resources and Information on COVID-19.
Tuesday, March 3: NRF has compiled a comprehensive list of travel restrictions. View here.
The EPA issued a list of disinfectant products that work to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Saturday, February 29: President Trump held a press conference with the members of the Coronavirus Task Force, where new travel restrictions were announced for Iran effective immediately.
Friday, February 28: NRF hosted a retail members-only call on February 28 where representatives from the CDC addressed what retailers need to know about the coronavirus. Listen here and read an overview.
Tuesday, February 25: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a business sector conference call on February 21 providing a status update on COVID-19. The recording is available here.
The public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, both globally and to the United States. However, CDC notes that for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low in the United States.
The CDC has posted new travel notices for Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Iran and Italy.
The CDC recently issued Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
What retailers need to know about COVID-19
On February 28, NRF hosted a conference call for NRF members with Nancy Messonnier, MD, and Lisa M. Koonin of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listen to the call to learn more about what retailers need to know about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
How retail feels about the coronavirus (CNBC) - Mar. 5, 2020
CDC to retail industry: Now is the time to dust off preparedness plans (NRF Blog) - Feb. 29, 2020
NRF CEO: How retail is faring amid coronavirus (CNBC) - Feb. 27, 2020
NRF Monthly Economic Review: March 2020 - Feb. 28, 2020
Supply Chain Coronavirus Questions Loom (Women’s Wear Daily) - Feb. 6, 2020
U.S. retailers are taking steps to prepare for impact from the coronavirus (NRF Blog) - Jan. 31, 2020
Additional NRF Resources
- NRF Member Survey Results (Members only. Log in to access.)
- Workplace policies surrounding COVID-19 (travel policies, personnel issues)– March 9
- Perspectives on the current impact of COVID-19 on retail companies (supply chain and retail operations) – March 5
- NRF Port Tracker: Coronavirus impact on imports expected to be larger and longer than previously expected – March 9
- NRF Member Memos
U.S. Government Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Website
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- Practical advice to prepare your business
- CDC YouTube Channel - COVID-19 Information Videos
- COVID-19 Latest News
- Situation Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Know the Facts About COVID-19 and Help Stop the Spread of Rumors
- Interim Guidance on Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events
- Traveler Information
- Travel Notices - China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan and Hong Kong
- CDC Business Sector Call for COVID-19 – February 21
Department of Labor
- Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus
- Practical advice to prepare your workplace
- New Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities
Department of Health and Human Services
- Remarks at HHS Press Briefing on the Administration's Response to COVID-19 – February 25
- President's Task Force on Coronavirus Press Briefing – February 7
- Secretary Azar Declaration of Public Health Emergency
Department of Homeland Security
- Risk Management for COVID-19 (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) – March 6
- Outlines steps to help executives think through physical, supply chain, and cybersecurity issues related to COVID-19
- Inbound Flight Restrictions – February 2
U.S. Coast Guard
- Marine Safety Information Safety Bulletin – February 2
State Department
- OSAC Benchmarking Results: Coronavirus – February 4
- China Travel Advisory – January 29
- Hong Kong Travel Advisory – February 20
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
White House
- Administration Resources and Information on COVID-19 – March 3
- Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus – February 29
- Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Conference – February 29
- Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Conference – February 27
Environmental Protection Agency
- List of disinfectant products for use against COVID-19 – March 3
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Other Resources
World Health Organization
-
Getting your Workplace Ready for COVID-19 – February 27
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports
- Travel Advice
- Questions and Answers
Johns Hopkins CSSE
- Global Cases Dashboard
- A map and data visualization of the reported cases, created from multiple sources.
Workplace Safety and Employment Law Resources
- Webinar Playback: Coronavirus and Employment Law from Dorsey and Whitney LLP – March 4
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Business Preparedness prepared by Littler – March 4
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employer FAQs prepared by Littler – March 5