Update to our Members: COVID-19 & Our Downtown Community

This is the eighth COVID-19 update from San Jose Downtown Association. They are sent on Thursdays.

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Dear Members and Downtown Stakeholders:

We have heard from many of you about the impacts you are facing right now and we are here to help. Our team has organized around realigning our communications and marketing, focusing on small business support and advocacy and gearing up for a downtown recovery campaign.

Let's keep the conversations going! Please let SJDA staff know how we can best support you.

We are in this together.

County extends shelter in place through May 31

To minimize the spread of the coronavirus, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department revised its health order, effective May 4 through May 31. The revised order keeps most current restrictions in place including shelter in place and social distancing.

Here is what's new:

Construction activities can be resumed under a set of project safety protocols.
Outdoor business activities can re-open where social distancing can be monitored, such as nurseries, landscaping, agriculture and other recreational facilities. Outdoor businesses do not include restaurants, cafes or bars with outdoor seating.
Commercial as well as residential real estate transactions can resume, but with continued restrictions on in-person viewings and appointments.
Childcare facilities serving less than 12 children can operate to provide care and supervision for children which allow their parents to work in essential services. All of these operations must comply with restrictions specified in the order.

In every other case, state and local orders are in effect – and between the two where they might overlap, we’re asked to follow the stricter order. This could be true in the matter of playing golf. Bay Area Courses -- including Santa Clara County -- are unclear if they can open Monday. Looking for clarity, Gov. Newsom said Thursday that people could play golf if they play alone and walk, which discourages more than half the golfers out there who may want to play in a socially-distance two-, three- or foursome or ride a cart alone.

At a press conference Wednesday to announce the new order, Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Health, warned that a resumption of normal life is a long way off, and a vaccine is the best indicator of when business as usual may return. As for the easing of restrictions, as long as the number of cases indicates the public remains safe, more restrictions may be eased; however, they may be tightened again if cases increase and influx of patients in hospitals also increases, clear indications that we are being too lax. View the press conference.

Financial Resources

Federal loans for small businesses and nonprofits reopen
Funding is again available for the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. Nonprofits and small businesses can now apply. The funds are not expected to last long, so apply as soon as possible. Some downtown businesses have been successful securing PPP loans.

Federal arts funding opportunities for nonprofits and commercial arts organizations and individual artists (as of April 23).

Salesforce granting $3 million to small businesses
Salesforce has announced its Salesforce Care Small Business Grants Program, offering grants up to $10,000 to 300 small businesses across the United States. Applications are due before 11:59 p.m. (PDT) May 4.

Applicants must meet these criteria: Be a for-profit business; Employ between 2-50 staff; Have been in business for 2 years as of March 2020; Have annual revenues of $250,000 to $2 million; Have experienced challenges from COVID-19; Meet all other eligibility criteria as stated in Grant Program Terms. Apply Here.

Assistance and Resource pages for nonprofits, businesses, and workers impacted by COVID-19

New COVID-19 Information for Businesses

Help the state create a roadmap for community resiliency
The State of California invites you to help develop future guidance for different sectors of the economy. The guidance documents will provide the private sector with a framework of how to safely reopen. To participate, fill out the form.

Monthly parking accounts in PARK SJ garages not billed in April and May
City of San Jose PARK SJ sent out notices to its monthly parking account holders that it would not collect any fees in April and anticipated not charging monthly fees during the duration of shelter-in-place orders. Once shelter-in-place is lifted, monthly fees will be prorated.

Some accounts with automatic credit card payment were inadvertently charged and work is ongoing to reverse those charges. Questions about your account? Call (408) 794-1090.

Street Sweeping Continues
Here’s a reminder during shelter in place to clear the parking spaces in front of your businesses for street sweeping if you can. City street-sweeping services are continuing, keeping debris out of our creeks, rivers and bay. Though parking enforcement is suspended, allowing for free street parking, the public is encouraged to move their vehicles for the sweepers to be most effective. To find out when the sweepers cruise your business, plug your address in here.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided updated guidance for workplaces for cleaning and disinfecting their facilities. This includes everyday steps, steps when someone is sick, and considerations for employers. The growing list of products deemed effective can be found here.

Unemployment Hotline Now Open 7 Days a Week
We’re seeing reports that only one in eight people applying for unemployment Insurance actually received payment in April. Nonetheless, the California Employment Development Department is trying to handle the large load of applicants.

A call center is now open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents are encouraged to use UI Online for the fastest and most convenient way to file or reopen a claim, certify for benefits, and get up-to-date claim and payment information. Smartphone and tablet users can use UI Online Mobile. Customers can call 833-978-2511 for technical help with accessing UI Online and other general unemployment insurance questions. Representatives will not have access to your claim or payment information. New claims can be filed at 1-800-300-1516.

EDD also started on Tuesday assisting residents with the new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. PUA benefits are distinct from unemployment benefits and cover the self-employed, employees who lack sufficient work history, gig workers, and independent contractors. Read the FAQ about eligibility and benefit amounts.

Upcoming Webinar

Friday, May 1
Privacy Laws Are Alive and Well Even Under COVID-19
10-11 a.m. | Register
Hosted by SVO
With most activity in the workplace, schools and home shifting online, privacy and security, ensuring your business is not compromised, should be a top priority. Hopkins & Carley updates current regulatory activity and noteworthy privacy and security news.

Keeping our streets in good shape

Use the Groundwerx Everywhere App or call 408-287-1520 to report a mess on the sidewalks that needs immediate attention. Download the Groundwerx Everywhere App for iPhones and Android.
Use the San Jose 311 app, to report streetlight outages, graffiti, and potholes.
For fallen trees or branches, call the tree emergency hotline at: (408) 497-4062. Please have a nearest address available to share with the operator.

Let us know how else we can help by replying to this email. We’ll have another message next Thursday. We're in this together.