COVID-19 Small Business Resources

Santa Clara County has updated its stay-at-home order in some key ways that affect business, and we want you to be aware of it.

These changes include the types of “essential” businesses allowed to operate, and also require posting of social-distancing plans at those businesses. The revisions were made as part of an extension to the stay-at-home order, which now runs through May 3. It was originally scheduled to end April 7, but is being extended to further help slow the spread of Covid-19. Your cooperation during the stay-at-home order is critical to saving lives in our community. Thank you.
 
Here are some key points:
  • All “essential” businesses that remain open (such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations) must prepare, post, and implement a Social Distancing Protocol and health checklist by 11:59 p.m. April 2. Access sample protocol documents in English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese. Essential stores must also provide hand sanitizer and limit the number of people in a store at one time.
  • Most construction must cease. Under the previous order, residential construction of all kinds was allowed. Now, construction is limited to affordable housing only, as well as several exceptions necessary to health care and public works.
  • A new category of “essential business” has been created: Service providers that enable residential transactions (including rentals, leases, and home sales), including, but not limited to, real estate agents, escrow agents, notaries, and title companies. Restrictions on in-person viewings and appointments apply; read the Order for more details.
  • The exception for “stores that sell products to allow workers to work from home” has been eliminated.​

The City of San Jose wants you and your employees to have important information about the COVID-19 pandemic and is sending this email to the emergency contact address that you gave the City when your business registered in the San Jose tax system. If you would like to receive these notices at an additional address you can subscribe to one or more of the following distributions:
  • BusinessOwnerSpace.com Notices – Small businesses can keep informed about workshops and other services offered by over 30 small business assistance organization programs through this subscription.
  • SJ Economy Notices – The City of San Jose Office of Economic Development sends out a regular notice about issues of interest to San Jose businesses
  • City of San Jose COVID-19 Flash Reports – Updates and announcements from the City of San Jose about COVID-19 are distributed in the morning and late afternoon to subscribers.
 
Federal, state, and local programs for businesses and workers are quickly ramping up, and it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Some programs include:
  • The Santa Clara County Office of Public Affairs has compiled a convenient list that you and your constituents can access here.
    • Cash grants and advertisement credits for small businesses from Facebook.
    • Layoff alternatives for businesses by utilizing partial claims and work share.
    • Guidance on the extended July 15 deadline for filing and paying federal taxes.
  • The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits has also compiled resources specifically for nonprofit organizations.​
  • The City of San Jose’s has created a website to serve as a centralized resource for employers, employees, and small businesses. Click here to access the COVID-19 Guidance webpage. There you will find alerts, updates, various resources, and tips to keep businesses running smoothly and free of problems. 
  • The United States Small Business Administration has posted guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on their website. Click here to learn more. 

Business eBlasts Links:

Employers should remember the following tips to lower the risk of disease transmission:
  • Ensure sick employees stay home. 
  • Separate employees who become sick at work until they can return home.  
  • Allow employees to telecommute if possible. 
  • If holding events, take precautions by asking those who are ill not to attend, and remind attendees to take actions to protect themselves and other attendees. 
  • Suspend nonessential employee travel. 
  • Provide additional accommodations to at-risk employees – such as those with existing medical conditions or who are more than 50 years old. 
  • Hang informative posters around your workplace.  
  • Give people physical space, such as allowing six feet between employees. 
  • Don't shake hands; cover coughs and sneezes; and wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. 
  • Wipe down surfaces touched by employees and customers with disinfecting products. 
  • Ask employees not to share phones, desks, or other work equipment, if possible. 
  • Change employee start and end times to avoid large numbers of employees coming in together. 
  • Cancel unnecessary meetings or events if attendees can’t keep their distance.