Businesses – COVID-19 Issues
Last updated Sep. 13, 2021
General COVID-19 Information for Businesses
Loans and Other Financial Assistance
Forms and Technical Assistance
What Businesses Can Do to Help
UPDATE:
On March 4, 2021 Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order extending authorization for local governments to halt evictions for commercial renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through June 30, 2021.
The order also extends protections against price gouging for emergency supplies and medical supplies amid the ongoing emergency response to the pandemic. For more, click here.
General COVID-19 Information for Businesses
Small Business Resource – Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has compiled helpful information for employers, employees and all Californians as it relates to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
COVID-19 Updates for Businesses- San Diego Workforce Partnership
This link from the San Diego Workforce Partnership provides information to business that have been forced to lay off workers, access to capital, consulting services, avoiding layoff information, protecting workers from COVID-19, and disaster preparedness.
https://workforce.org/businesses/
San Diego County Stimulus Grant for Small Business
Funds have been fully allocated for this program. The application is now closed. Per their website “The Small Business Stimulus Grant Program is funded by Board of Supervisors allocated federal CARES Act funding. The goal of the Small Business Stimulus Grant Program is to provide a lifeline grant to many local small businesses to get them open, keep them open, and help prevent more from going out of business.”
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/stimulusgrant/
Small Business COVID-19 Resources – San Diego North Economic Development Council
Better Business Bureau
The BBB released an article on customer relations, employee relations, and business relations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21714-business-tips-how-to-navigate-the-coronavirus-crisis
San Diego Employers Association
The San Diego Employers Association has COVID-19 helpful links for employers that are regularly updated, including Coronavirus Frequently Asked HR Questions.
Office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
A list of links to assistance for Californians affected by COVID-19, including benefits for individuals and benefits for businesses:
https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/coronavirus-casework
US Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division)
Information for employers from the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the impact of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on sick leave, family leave, wage and hour issues, and more.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic
National Conference of State Legislatures
General information from NCSL on the impact of COVID-19 on employment and labor, including licensing, sick leave, unemployment insurance and teleworking.
https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/covid-19-impact-on-employment-and-labor.aspx
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – OSHA
This guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. In addition, the Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
San Diego County Safe Reopening Plan
The following document contains San Diego County’s reopening plan. “This plan does not need to be submitted at this time. This plan is to be used to prepare when businesses open per the Governor’s Order.
California’s Coronavirus Response Resilience Roadmap
We are now in early Stage 2, where retail (curbside and delivery only), related logistics and manufacturing and essential businesses can open. The state is issuing guidance to help these workplaces reopen safely.
https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/
California Lawyers Association Videos
For employer concerns see:
For employee health and safety see:
For essential insolvency questions and concerns for business owners see:
This website covers information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans; EDD for business owners; EDD for business employees; Business Interruption Insurance; the finance center; taxpayers relief; Families First COVID-19 Response Act; Technology products/ Teleworking tips; force majeure clause
Small Business Resource List – California State Treasurer
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s Small Business Resource List
Stanford Law School Compilation of Legal Memoranda Related to COVID-19:
Stanford Law School created a searchable database of memos written by top U.S law firms on a variety of COVID-19 related legal issues including those of interest to businesses and employers.
http://covidmemo.law.stanford.edu/
Loans and Other Financial Assistance
San Diego Small Business Grants Update, February 9 2020
The Board voted to provide additional stimulus funds to small businesses that have suffered economic hardship due to the pandemic. The Board voted to allocate at least $30 million to the Small Business Stimulus Grant Program once the federal and state government appropriate funds to the County in the coming weeks. Read more about it here.
Round of State COVID-19 Grants for Small Business, December 30 2020
From December 30, 2020 to January 8, 2021, California small businesses and nonprofits can apply for the latest round of grants from the state’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. Use this link for more information about the program and how to apply.
CARES Act:
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. Among other things, this Act provides funding for forgivable bridge loans, grants and technical assistance for businesses; establishes limits on the amount of paid leave that employers must provide; and postpones payment of payroll taxes. The link below provides a summary and full text of the Act:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3548
Resources for Funding and Growing Businesses (City of San Diego)
“The City of San Diego offers business incentives that are aligned with City Council Policy 900-12 (see the second link), giving companies an edge in the marketplace and helping them expand and prosper.”
https://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/industry
https://docs.sandiego.gov/councilpolicies/cpd_900-12.pdf
City of San Diego Business Relief and Support
The City of San Diego has released an application for economic assistance for San Diego Businesses affected by COVID-19.
https://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/resources/relief
Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Per their website “Small business owners in the [State of California] are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
Small Business Finance Center
Per their website “The SBFC helps businesses create and retain jobs, and encourages investment in low- to moderate-income communities. The SBFC has a Jump Start Loan Program, a Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, and a Farm Loan Program”.
SDG&E Helping Small Businesses
Per their website “SDG&E will also waive late payment fees for business customers whose finances have been hit hard by the coronavirus. The company does not charge residential customers a late payment fee”.
San Diego County COVID-19 Small Business & Nonprofit Loan Program
The San Diego Foundation, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and other partners have formed a public-private partnership to create the San Diego County COVID-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Loan Program (SBNLP), an initiative to provide low-interest and no-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofit organizations and aid in the region’s economic recovery from the coronavirus.
https://www.countynewscenter.com/loan-program-to-help-small-businesses-in-unincorporated-area/
To Apply See: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7UOFecKNP-6XpJN79EQL1dDGo_2xUCiAdfYtIo1l3VOSN3A/viewform
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2
Are you a farmer or rancher whose business has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? You may be eligible for financial assistance through this program from the USDA. Applications are being accepted from September 21 through December 11, 2020.
Forms and Technical Assistance
SDVLP – COVID-19 Small Business & Nonprofit Brief Legal Advice Clinic:
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program has launched a clinic to provide free legal help to eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Volunteer attorneys will provide remote consultations on legal issues arising out of the pandemic, including questions relating to employment law, tax law, commercial leases, insurance, contracts, bankruptcy/restructuring, applications for financial assistance, reopening procedures and more.
Online Tools for Small Businesses
The San Diego Regional EDC is offering online tools for small businesses having trouble dealing with COVID-19. Contact them now to get started.
Small Business Crisis Communication Help
This organization is offering free crisis communication help to small business and non-profits. Fill out their questionnaire to get started.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkwzv-q4kpbtr9E5av5W98U5FXaKmg8Mfj20spL1v1e4cU0Q/viewform
Sample Language and Templates for Employers – Coronavirus in the Workplace
The law firm Fisher Phillips has created some sample language and templates for employers dealing with issues related to Coronavirus in the workplace that they are making available for free on their website (including COVID-19 Talking Points for Managers, Model Announcement to Employees about Positive Test, Authorization to Disclose COVID-19 Diagnosis, and What You Should Know About Coronavirus and Your Employment)
Public Relations Pros Offer Guidance to Small Businesses Impacted by Virus
A group of a 13 public relations professionals who operate solo consultancies across the country have joined together to offer a free communications strategy session to any small business impacted by the coronavirus economic shutdown.
What Businesses Can Do to Help
COVID-19 Community Response Fund
This is a place business can donate funds. “The San Diego Foundation, the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund “will receive donations and make emergency grants to nonprofit organizations that have deep roots and strong experience supporting impacted communities, particularly those that are disproportionately affected by this global pandemic and its economic consequences”.
