Public Health Orders | COVID Business Compliance | General FAQs
COVID BUSINESS COMPLIANCE – PHONE: 844 VC-OPENS (844-826-7367)| EMAIL: covidcompliance@ventura.org
Questions about business? Please contact public health at covidbusiness@ventura.org.
Business Information
Ventura County is currently in the Purple Tier
Business Outbreak Reporting
The following resources are provided for compliance with business outbreak reporting laws.
Business Attestation – Register to be Open
All Businesses within the County of Ventura must register to be open for business. Click this link to go to our registration site: www.vcreopens.org
What businesses are allowed to open? What are the rules I need to follow? Find the Answers at www.VCreopens.org
Financial Assistance Programs
SECOND ROUND OF PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) IS OPEN
The Paycheck Protection Program re-opened. Businesses that did not previously receive a PPP loan can apply. Contact your current bank to see if the bank is accepting applications. Any business that qualified and received a PPP loan in 2020 will now have the chance to apply for a second PPP loan. Contact your current lender to re-apply.
EDC is also offering webinars to help businesses apply for funding. Interesting in no-cost financial consulting? Call the EDC to set up your no-cost appointment to review your PPP questions and discuss financial opportunities available. 805.409.9159 (ENGLISH) or 805.309.5874 (SPANISH)
For updates on all other currently available COVID-19 resources visit our COVID-19 Business Resources Website CLICK HERE
SECOND ROUND COVID-19 BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
$5000 Grants Available for Eligible Business and Nonprofits
The County of Ventura is launching a second COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program to assist business and nonprofit organizations that did not receive a grant during the County’s first program in 2020. Qualified business and nonprofit organizations may receive a $5,000 grant.
The application window will open mid-March 2021. CLICK HERE to receive program updates.
SALES TAX RELIEF
The Governor directed the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to provide sales tax relief to businesses. The tax deferment up to $1 million is automatic; no need to apply. Businesses can use the money they would normally pay in sales tax to float other expenses, interest free for three-months. This is how the sales tax relief would apply:
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- Automatic three-month extension for taxpayers filing less than $1M in sales tax
- Extends the availability of existing interest and penalty-free payment agreements to companies with up to $5 million in taxable sales
- Provides expanded interest free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations based on COVID-19 transmissions
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EDD UNEMPLOYMENT AND PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA)
Unemployment benefits are available for self-employed individuals and employees. If you have lost hours or wages due to the impact of COVID-19. Apply for unemployment with the EDD here. For more information on self-employed unemployment benefits (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) click here.
EDD WORKSHARE PROGRAM
The EDD Workshare Program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs – retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Visit the Work Sharing Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply. Note: Nonprofits are not eligible to participate in EDD Workshare.
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 is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Tax credit agreements will be negotiated by GO-Biz and approved by a statutorily created “California Competes Tax Credit Committee,” consisting of the State Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Director of GO-Biz, and one appointee each by the Speaker of the Assembly and Senate Committee on Rules.
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 Womens 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.
Winter Guidelines for Outdoor Business Operations
- Click HERE for guidance on Use of Temporary Structures for Outdoor Business Operations (Updated November 25, 2020)
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 Tookit from the CDC
Chambers of Commerce are excellent resources for businesses to connect, promote, and find local resources for their businesses.
- Camarillo Chamber
- Greater Conejo Valley Chamber
- Ojai Valley Chamber
- Oxnard Chamber
- Santa Paula Chamber
- Simi Valley Chamber
- Ventura Chamber
Free COVID Testing
The County of Ventura’s new Mobile COVID-19 Testing Trailer can be requested at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/covid-testing.
Mobile Testing Team Onsite Testing Requirements
- Business or organization must have at least 100 people that would like to get tested for the COVID-19 virus.
- Outdoor location must include 100′ x 50′ open space suitable for parking a truck and 28′ trailer for our testing team.
- Host location must provide access to restroom facilities within 200′ walking distance of the testing location.
- Set up begins one hour before opening for testing.
COVID-19 testing is offered at high volume sites 7 days a week. More information at: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing/.
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.