The Alexandria/Arlington Emergency Layoff Aversion Assistance Program will award 11 grants to local businesses in order to retain their employees during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, according to a news release from the Chamber ALX.

Businesses or nonprofits with employees located in Alexandria or Arlington with 250 or fewer employees can apply for the grants by submitting an application at https://workforcecouncil.arlingtonva.us/covid19.

The grants will only be awarded to businesses that will use the funds to benefit their employees. Acceptable uses include hiring a cleaning service and purchasing software, online programs or laptops that employees can use to work from home, according to the release.