Business – Latest Updates
COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave 2021
Covered Employees in the public or private sectors who work for employers with more than 25 employees are entitled to up to 80 hours of COVID-19 related sick leave from January 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021, immediately upon an oral or written request to their employer. If an employee took leave for the reasons below prior to March 29, 2021, the employee should make an oral or written request to the employer for payment. More information here. Fact sheet linked here.
Horas de Enfermedad Pagadas Suplementarias 2021 de COVID-19
Los empleados cubiertos en los sectores público o privado que trabajan para empleadores con más de 25 empleados tienen derecho de hasta 80 horas de enfermedad pagadas relacionada a COVID-19 desde el 1 de enero 2021 hasta el 30 de septiembre 2021, inmediatamente después de una solicitud oral o escrita a su empleador. Si un empleado tomó el permiso por los motivos indicados a continuación antes del 29 de marzo 2021, deberá solicitar el pago al empleador de forma oral o por escrito. Más información aquí. Hoja Informativa aquí.
What do California employers need to know?
Most employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS).
Guidance for Face Coverings Released by the California Department of Public Health
Effective July 28
What changed in the new mask guidance?
- Recommends indoor mask-wearing for everyone
- Adds recommendation for universal masking indoors statewide
- Adds Adult and Senior Care Facilities to settings where all individuals must wear masks indoors
- References new requirements for unvaccinated workers in the State Health Officer July 26 Order
Read the updated Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings HERE.
Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors
Effective June 15
What will California look like after June 15th?
California is fully reopening its economy with businesses resuming normal operations (with limited exceptions for mega-events). The new Health Order, effective June 15, replaces previous health orders issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Click Beyond the Blueprint to learn more.
Key Points to Beyond the Blueprint
- The Tiers, guidance documents, and prevention plans are no longer in effect. Most businesses can resume normal operations (how they conduct business with their customers.)
- There are no limitations on capacity or physical distancing of attendees, customers, or guests.
- Businesses with employees must continue to follow the Cal/OSHA Covid-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). This includes mask-wearing and other preventive measures. Click to read the ETS.
- Mega Events are characterized by large crowds greater than 5,000 (indoors) and 10,000 (outdoors) attendees. These events must still follow limited guidance and prevention guidance.
Have more questions about the Beyond the Blueprint June 15th health order? Read the CDPH Frequently Asked Questions Section HERE.
Business Outbreak Reporting
The following resources are provided for compliance with business outbreak reporting laws.
Financial Assistance Programs
CALIFORNIA RELIEF GRANT
Notice: The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program announced on July 29 three additional rounds of funding. The full announcement can be read HERE. Visit the California Relief Grant website for more information www.CAreliefgrant.com.
Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds
Selection Window: Tuesday, August 3 through Thursday, September 16
Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds. Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.
Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000
Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted.
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Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only
Application window: Friday, August 27 through Wednesday, September 8
Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
Details: Approximately $16 million remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5 or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to reapply. Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.
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Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds
Application window: Thursday, September 9 through Thursday, September 30
Eligible applicants: Current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.
CALIFORNIA STATE FEE WAIVERS
On February 23, 2021 the Governor signed a legislative package that included fee waivers.
ABC License Fee Waivers provide two years of fee relief for roughly 59,000 restaurants and bars licensed through the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control can range annually from $455 to $1,235.
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- Restaurants, bars, and other specified on-sale licensees will be eligible for fee waivers of licenses with expiration dates between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2023.
- This renewal fee waiver program does not apply to licensees with expiration dates prior to March 31, 2021.
- Eligible licensees whose licenses expire in January or February 2021 may request a waiver of their future applicable renewal fees due in January 2022 or February 2022 when they receive the renewal notices for that year.
- The annual license renewal process will continue as normal and licensees will need to request a waiver for each of the two years authorized. A second waiver request must be completed when the licensee receives the renewal notice for 2022.
- If a licensee pays their renewal fee, and later find that they were eligible for a waiver, unfortunately, they will not receive a refund. ABC is not authorized under this law to provide any refunds. A fee waiver request can be submitted for the 2022 renewal at the appropriate time next year.
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For more information on ABC Fee Waivers click HERE.
Barbering and Cosmetology Fee Relief for more than 600,000 barbering and cosmetology individuals and businesses licensed through the Department of Consumer Affairs
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- Board of Barbering and Cosmetology license renewal fees will be waived for all licenses that expire in calendar years 2021 and 2022.
- Every establishment/salon owner pays a renewal fee of $40 every 2 years, and individuals performing services at each establishment pay a license renewal fee of $50 every 2 years.
- The fee waivers will be automatic for all license renewals. There is no application. The Board will issue new licenses prior to the license expiration date.
- During the first week of March 2021, the Board will begin sending out renewed licenses for licensees that had license expiration dates in January 2021, February 2021, March 2021 and April 2021, and have not paid the fees. For licenses expiring from May 2021 through December 2022, the renewed licenses will be mailed out approximately 83 days prior to the expiration date. Licensees are encouraged to update their address but do not need to do anything in order to receive the renewed license.
- For individuals who already paid their fee for a license that expired in 2021, the renewal date will be extended until January 1, 2025 so they will not have to pay for your next renewal period.
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For more information on Barbering and Cosmetology license renewal fee relief, click HERE.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE DISASTER LOAN FUND
EDC is offering 4.25% interest loans from $5,000- $50,000 and a 48 month term through our Disaster Loan Fund to give a cash flow boost to businesses impacted by reduced sales, supply chain disruption or other challenges related to COVID-19. Email loans@edcollaborative.com for more information.
WOMEN’S ECONOMIC VENTURES (WEV) RESTART LOAN
WEV’S Restart Loan provides capital to Santa Barbara County and Ventura County businesses who are now open or eligible to open under the most current government orders. Visit WEV’s website for more information.
CALIFORNIA COMPETES TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including the number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region. You can find informational webinars, FAQs and other resources to apply here: https://business.ca.gov/california-competes-tax-credit/
Business Recovery Resources
If your business has been negatively impacted by Covid-19, visit the Economic Development Collaborative’s Covid-19 Business Resources webpage. The EDC will guide you through the fundamental steps every business should be following:
- Get financial consulting to find the right assistance for your situation.
- Connect with your landlord. If you are a commercial tenant and unable to pay rent due to Covid hardship, the EDC has information to preserve your rights as a tenant.
Other information available from our Partners:
- Webinars to gain the skills business thrive, grow and/or recover
- Financial resources including SBA loan programs
- Links to partner organizations such as Women’s Economic Ventures and SCORE that help businesses navigate the current environment
Covid Compliance Hotline and Questions
The County of Ventura launched a Covid Ambassador program for our citizens and businesses to ask questions or to report possible violations of the County’s health orders.
CovidCompliance@Ventura.org or call (805) 202-1805 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Spanish speakers will also be available to return calls.
Quick Access Links for Tools and Resources
Helpful Quick Links
- What to do if an employee has Covid-19 – Guide from Ventura County Public Health
- Employer Playbook for Covid 19 – Supporting a Safer Environment for Workers and Customers
- California GO-Biz – California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
- U.S. Small Business Administration – Loan programs for small businesses
- CDC Guidance for Business and Employers – Centers for Disease Control
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Resources, news, tools for small businesses
- California Department of Public Health – Read the latest health orders that impact your business
- Blueprint for a Safer Economy – At a glance, what can be open in each Tier (Purple, Red, Orange, and Yellow)
- Industry Guidance from the State of California
- Resuming Business Toolkit from the CDC
- Flyer: Updated 8/4/21: Resources for Fam Workers of Ventura County – English / Spanish (JPG)
Chambers of Commerce are excellent resources for businesses to connect, promote, and find local resources for their businesses.
Eviction Moratorium
Eviction moratoriums provide protections from eviction due to Covid hardships. Read this summary of what these moratoriums mean for you and your business.