July 23, 2020
JULY 16 – WEEKLY UPDATE
Federal:
Congress heads back to Washington, DC next Monday to resume negotiations on a Phase 4 COVID-19 recovery package. The House has two weeks left in July to pass a bill before the August recess begins.
Hospitals and states are now required to report COVID-19 data (such as hospitalizations, personal protective equipment) to the Department of Health and Human Services. Previously hospitals and states were required to report this data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
International:
City of Tijuana Mayor Arturo Gonzalez announced the use of face coverings is now mandatory. In addition, fines have been imposed for individuals organizing or attending large meetings and events.
Health and safety checkpoints have been set up at the Ensenada and Mexicali city access points to ensure adherence to stay at home orders. This includes the Calexico West, Calexico East, and Andrade/Algodones land ports of entry, where checkpoints will be operating from Friday, July 17 at 2:00pm to Sunday, July 19 at 8:00pm. Authorities will verify the use of face coverings, confirm that the trip’s purpose is essential, and conduct temperature checks for each passenger. Please note that there is also a limit of two passengers per vehicle crossing southbound through Mexicali’s land ports of entry.
The temporary restrictions on non-essential travel across shared ports of entry between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico have been extended for an additional thirty days to August 20. Please visit the DHS official web and social media pages for updates on port operations.
State:
Monday, Governor Newsom announced the state-wide closure of bars and indoor operations of restaurants, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, and museums. Additionally, he instructed counties on the monitoring list (which includes San Diego) to close the indoor operations of gyms/fitness centers, places of worship, offices for non-essential sectors, personal care services (including hair salons, barbershops, nail salons), and shopping malls.
Tomorrow, the Governor is expected to release guidance on school reopening.
Local:
Monday, the county announced COVID-19 testing would be focused on high priority groups, as the nation faces testing supply shortages. The high priority groups include individuals experiencing symptoms and high-risk groups such as health care workers, first responders, older adults, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and residents in group living situations, like long-term care facilities.
Monday, San Diego Unified School District announced that the new school year will start with online-only classes. Instruction will resume on August 31 as previously scheduled. This announcement comes as school districts in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco agree to do the same.
This week, San Diego City Council approved a $900 million housing bond for the November ballot in a 6-3 vote. The bond would require a two-thirds majority approval from voters and would use the funds raised by a property tax increase to fund the construction of approximately 7,500 subsidized affordable apartments.
City Council also rejected a proposed ballot measure in a 5-4 vote that would have used public funds to finance candidate campaigns in city-wide elections. Meanwhile, a third proposed ballot measure designed to reverse the existing ban on project labor agreements (PLAs) was withdrawn by the sponsors of the measure for undisclosed reasons.
Following the Mayor’s Executive Order last week, the City Council unanimously approved the Interim Urgency Ordinance for Temporary Outdoor Business Operations. This ordinance allows businesses to expand outdoor dining and retail into the public right-of-way, parking lots, and public spaces. Information on how to apply for a Temporary Outdoor Business Operations Permit can be found on the Development Services Department’s website. Tomorrow at 10am, the City is holding a webinar on how to apply.
Capital Opportunities & Resources:
- NEW City of San Diego Temporary Outdoor Business Operations Permit – Businesses can now expand outdoor dining and retail into the public right-of-way, parking lots, and public spaces. Information on how to apply for a Temporary Outdoor Business Operations Permit can be found here.
- San Diego County Small Business Stimulus Grant – Businesses must have fewer than 100 employees, be headquartered in San Diego County, have 1-year operating history, and have experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to be eligible. Apply here.
- Calling All Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocal – A new state-wide website with resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs, including a digital medial toolkit, quick links to industry guidance, direct access to PPE, and free business consulting through the Small Business Development Center network.
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – PPP funds are still available. The deadline to apply for a PPP Loan was extended to August 8. Find a financial lender to apply for funds here.
- The San Diego and Imperial SBDC has developed a webinar on PPP Loan Forgiveness. Watch it on-demand here.
- Businesses can also reach out to their nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which has developed the Small Business Survival Resources Guide to help business owners navigate through the chaos COVID-19 is having on our communities. SBDC can help with applying for relief, guiding you through available resources and assisting with cash flow concerns, supply-chain interruptions, workforce capacity, insurance coverage, and more–all at no cost.
- The State Treasurer’s Office has published this list of Federal, State, Local, Private, and Non-profit resources available to small businesses.
- Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce Relief Fund – Black-owned businesses can apply for funding and technical assistance here. Email questions and concerns to info@sdblackchamber.org