Coronavirus (COVID-19) Small Business Resources

The Chamber recognizes the impact this outbreak has on small businesses in our region. The following are helpful resources we believe will be beneficial to our small business community. We will continue to update these as we receive more information:

Employer and Employee Resources

• The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has compiled resources for employers, employees and all Californians for updates on public health, and loan assistance: https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/

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• Labor & Workforce Development Agency compiled information for support services, entitlement, guidelines, and more for employers and employees: https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/

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• SBA Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), such as access to capital, SBA products and resources, exporting assistance, government contracting, and local assistance: https://www.sba.gov/page/guidance-businesses-employers-plan-respond-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19​

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• SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Program available for small businesses and non-profits: 

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• For businesses in the San Jose area, the City of San Jose Office of Economic Development has put together some suggestions to help lessen how the pandemic affects your business and your employees.

  • English version: http://bit.ly/2w293dT 

  • Spanish version: https://bit.ly/2Wa6D7x

  • Vietnamese version: https://bit.ly/2TPZsje

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• Resources for Employees of California Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: https://app.livestorm.co/small-business-majority/resources-for-employees-of-california-small-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19

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• Treasury, IRS and Labor announce plan to implement Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses to swiftly recover the cost of providing Coronavirus-related: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USIRS/bulletins/2826044?reqfrom=share

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• California Responds to COVID-19 Emergency by Providing Path to Coverage for Millions of Californians. Covered California expands special enrollment and medi-cal seeks waivers to encourage coverage. Learn more here.

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• U.S. Department of Labor enforces Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave

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• Murphy Austin provided a daily COVID-19 Employer Updates web page with information pertaining to coronavirus in the context of employment law: https://murphyaustin.com/news-events/covid-19-employer-updates

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• Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist: https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final_revised.pdf

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• Carranza Implements Automatic Deferment on Existing SBA Disaster Loans Through End of 2020: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/carranza-implements-automatic-deferment-existing-sba-disaster-loans-through-end-2020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

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• Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Guide: https://www.sba.gov/document/support--express-bridge-loan-pilot-program-guide

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• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARE): Learn more here

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• U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus Federal Small Business Stimulus Aid Programs: https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/federal-small-business-stimulus-aid-programs-guide

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• Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses: Learn more here

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• Q&A: Can you get worker’s comp if you get COVID-19 on the job?: https://www.kcra.com/article/qanda-can-you-get-workers-comp-if-you-get-covid-19-on-the-job/32073333#

Coronavirus Guidelines and Fact Guide

• Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/Health-Care-General-Industry.html

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• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)- FAQs on laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm

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• California Employment Development Department (EDD) COVID-19 resources and facts guide for workers and employers impacted by COVID-19:  https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm ​​​

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• State Public Health Officer designated a list of Essential critical Infrastructure Workers. Learn More: https://covid19.ca.gov/img/EssentialCriticalInfrastructureWorkers.pdf

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• Guidance from the Alcoholic Beverage Control to licensees on limitations of on-sale privileges. Read more here.

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• Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development FAQs for California Small Businesses: https://static.business.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CA-Small-Business-FAQ-COVID19.pdf

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• SBA Coronavirus Recovery Information in Other Languages: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-recovery-information-other-languages

News Updates

• Coronavirus Impact Highlights Need for Expanded Broadband in California article: https://cafwd.org/reporting/entry/coronavirus-impact-highlights-need-for-expanded-broadband-in-california

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• Southern California Edison announced that it is suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees, effective immediately for residential and business customers impacted by COVID-19. Read More

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• The Bay Area has implemented a Shelter in Place policy. The public health order is requiring Bay area residents to shelter in place except for the most essential outings. Shelter in place until April 7 and could be amended to be shortened or lengthened depending upon public health expert advice. Counties impacted include: San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties. Read More

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• Governor Newsom issued an executive order to permit vote-by-mail procedures to be used in three upcoming special elections, protecting public health and safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more here.

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• Franchise Tax Board extends filing and payment deadline for all California taxpayers until July 15, 2020, due to COVID-19. Read more here.

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• Insurance Commissioner Lara Calls for 60-Day Insurance Premium Grace Period Due to COVID-19 Outbreak: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2020/release030-2020.cfm

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• Governor Newsom  Announced He Will Pursue a "Workload" Budget Plan: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article241461911.html​​

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• ​Governor Newsom Said California Will Likely Remain Closed Through April: Read more here​​​​

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• Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Statewide Mandatory Stay at Home Order: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/19/governor-gavin-newsom-issues-stay-at-home-order/

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• Big banks will grant mortgage waivers to Californians stricken with coronavirus, Governor Newsom says: https://www.sacbee.com/article241507286.html

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• COVID-19 Update: First Glance at the Stimulus Bill: Read more here

General Resources

• AT&T has committed to not terminate the service of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer and waive any late payment fees that are incurred because of economic hardship related to the panedemic. Learn about AT&T's efforts here.

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• Comcast is offering 2 months FREE for Internet Essentials customers.You may qualify for the program if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others. https://www.internetessentials.com/

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• COVID-19 news and advice for 65+ years old: https://www.aarp.org/health/?CON-HEALTH-COVID19-031220

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• PG&E has announced they will not disconnect any customer’s power for nonpayment during this health crisis. They also offer a program called CARE that helps reduce bills for customers facing economic hardships. Learn more about PG&E's efforts here: https://www.pgecurrents.com/2020/03/13/our-commitment-to-serve-and-support-our-customers/

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• AARP has launched a new platform, “Community Connections.” This informal online organizing tool enables seniors to find and start virtual mutual aid groups. The platform offers a way to stay connected, share ideas, and help those most affected by the Coronavirus. Please visit their website at: https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/

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• Designed by Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council this business opportunity matchmaking portal immediately assist corporations, government agencies, small businesses and entrepreneurs in order to accelerate the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic: https://minoritysupplier.lpages.co/covid-19/

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• Small Business Majority released daily COVID-19 updates for small businesses: https://smallbusinessmajority.org/covid-19-daily-updates-for-small-businesses

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• Exempted Industries During COVID-19: https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19

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• Intel Foundation is making an additional $6M financial commitment to support coronavirus relief efforts: https://newsroom.intel.com/tag/coronavirus/#gs.339uxl

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• In response to the rise in Anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment, we at Hollaback! partnered with Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) to adapt our free bystander intervention training to meet this moment. Visit the website.​ 

• HUD issues new CARES Act Mortgage Payment relief for FHA single family homeowners: https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_048

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General Health Resources

To learn more information on health and public safety please visit the resources below:​

• CDC COVID-19 FAQs

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

• California COVID-19 Risk Screening and Testing

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)Disaster Distress Helpline 

• DHCS Medi-Cal Beneficiaries