Updated information about COVID-19
The health and safety of customers and workers is retailers’ top priority. NRF is closely monitoring the situation around the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating 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.
Pandemic recovery legislation
The White House and Congress cannot wait on new pandemic recovery legislation. The NRF expressed concern over President Trump’s decision in October to stop negotiating with congressional leaders on new legislation intended to help the economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full letter here.
Operation Open Doors
Guidance for retailers on safely operating stores
As retail businesses are now open to employees and customers, Operation Open Doors provides operational guidelines and considerations developed with input from hundreds of retail industry leaders convened by NRF. The effort prioritizes four functional areas for America’s retail sector:
- health and safety
- people and personnel
- logistics and supply chain
- litigation and liability
COVID-19 Resources
Workplace and employment law
-
NRF Briefing on ETS with Hunton Andrews Kurth (members-only) – November 5, 2021
- Webinar: The Workforce Shortage, An Economist’s Perspective with Upjohn Institute President Michael Horrigan (members-only) – May 24, 2021 PPT
- Webinar: NRF-Seyfarth COVID-19 Vaccines and Return to Work – What Employers Should Know (members-only) – May 10, 2021 PPT only / Recording
- Webinar: NRF-Littler COVID-19 Vaccination (members-only) – February 26 2021
- Webinar: COVID-19 Vaccination Updates (members-only) – January 13, 2021
- NRF Tracker: Status of State Unemployment Insurance Expansions under the CARES Act
- NRF Survey: Workplace policies surrounding COVID-19 – March 19, 2020
- Sample COVID-19 Emergency Leave and Pay Policy (members-only) – March 13, 2020
- COVID-19 FAQs for Employers (members-only) – March 13, 2020
Holiday shopping resources
Economic recovery and loan resources
- NRF Webinar PPP Small Business Update – January 12, 2021 (resource from Steptoe)
- How to Navigate the Main Street Loan Program (resource from Steptoe)
- COVID-19 – Federal Agency and State-by-State Survey Regulating Loan Forbearance – June 30, 2020 (resource from Seyfarth LLP)
- SBA Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
- Overview of the Small Business Relief program (resource from Steptoe)
- Federal Economic Recovery Programs Chart (resource from Steptoe)
- NRF Q&A on Federal Loan Programs
- U.S. Treasury Department Resources
State response
- National Governor's Association: Coronavirus: What You Need To Know
- NRF: State resources for retailers
Federal Response and Resources
White House
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Website
-
Guidance for Employers with Workers at High Risk
- Situation Summary
- Resources for Businesses and Employers
- COVID-19 Latest News
- Interim Guidance on Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events
- Traveler Information
- Communication Resources
Department of Labor
- DOL Coronavirus Resources Website
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Wage and Hour Division
- COVID-19 and the American Workplace Information
- COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers
- COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers
- Guidance to states on the unemployment insurance provisions of the CARES Act – April 2, 2020
- Updated guidance for Workers and Employers Explaining Paid Sick Leave, Expanded Family and Medical Leave Benefits
- Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus
- Practical advice to prepare your workplace
- New Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities
Department of Homeland Security
- DHS Coronavirus Information
- Fact Sheet: DHS Notice of Arrival Restrictions on China, Iran and Certain Countries of Europe
- Joint Statement on US-Canada Joint Initiative: Temporary Restriction of Travelers Crossing the US-Canada Land Border for Non-Essential Purposes
- Fact Sheet: DHS Measures on the Border to Limit the Further Spread of Coronavirus (updated June 16, 2020)
- Protecting Air Travelers and the American Public
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. Coast Guard
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Marine Safety Information Bulletin – Vessel Inspections, Exams, and Documentation
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Department of Transportation
- Coronavirus Resources at the Department of Transportation
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- FMCSA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources
- National Emergency Declaration for Commercial Vehicles Delivering Relief in response to COVID-19 – March 13, 2020
- FMCSA Guidance on Cross-Border Transportation and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- FMCSA CDL Waiver
- Three-Month Waiver in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency
Environmental Protection Agency
- EPA Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
- Frequent Questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
- EPA Administrator Wheeler Talks with Retailers and Third-Party Marketplace Platforms to Discuss Steps to Protect American Consumers from Fraudulent Coronavirus Disinfectant Claims
Companies hiring now
See job opportunities for displaced workers and post your company's careers link for free.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Tip sheet on health coverage options for employers helping their employees understand their coverage options, which also provides multiple places employees can go to receive assistance in making health insurance decisions.
- FAQ document with Marketplace information for businesses impacted by COVID-19
Other employment law resources
- Webinar Playback: Coronavirus and Employment Law from Dorsey and Whitney LLP – March 4, 2020
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Business Preparedness prepared by Littler – March 4, 2020
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employer FAQs prepared by Littler – March 5, 2020
NRF Action Alert
Tell Congress how to help retail keep our economy safely open.
Advocating for Retail
- NRF Action Alert: Tell Congress how to help retail keep our economy safely open.
- On September 30, 2020 NRF and 200 national and state trade associations formed the COVID Relief Now coalition and sent a letter to Congress urging them to provide additional economic relief to communities, businesses, workers and families.
- On July 30, 2020 NRF and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce submitted a coalition letter to Congress expressing support for S. 4317, the Safe to Work Act. The letter was signed by more than 480 national, state and local trade associations representing every industry sector.