Tuesday, April 21, 2020
COVID-19 Special Edition #3
This edition of the monthly newsletter important information and resources related to COVID-19 that may be helpful to our entire business community, not just current subscribers. If you received this email and are not already subscribed to our monthly Newsletter, but would like to receive our monthly Newsletter, please sign-up  here . 
COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCES
County Updates Stay Well At Home Order
On Saturday, April 18th, The County of Ventura issued an update to its  Stay Well At Home Public Health Order. The revised Order is currently in effect until May 15, 2020.  

The updated Order revises and enhances definitions and conditions regarding permissible and restricted business activities and operations. Perhaps most significant, the modified Order allows exceptions for limited business operations allowing nonpublic serving businesses to operate using no more than 10 employees, allows for gatherings of up to 5 people, modifies some essential businesses, allows for gatherings in motor vehicles, reopens golf courses and other forms of recreation with appropriate restrictions, allows bike shops to open and permits in-person sale of vehicles. 

Residents and businesses alike are strongly encouraged to read the full Order  here . You can review the County’s Press Release  here .  

If you have any questions, please contact County COVID-19 Business Compliance here:   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. 
City Activities and Resources
In addition to ongoing coordination with the County on COVID-19 response efforts, the City has also taken its own important steps to adapt to the current situation to continue providing excellent service to our residents and businesses.

Here are some highlighted updates and resources that may be beneficial to our local business community. 

City of Thousand Oaks COVID-19 resource webpage: The City continues to update its webpage dedicated to COVID-19 with helpful information for businesses and residents alike. Find video updates from the Mayor, relevant City Council Resolutions and Executive Orders, City Services information, and Business Resources, and other details. See the webpage   here . 

Ongoing Coordination with City business community partners : The City continues to work with its business and community partners to increase awareness and support for our local businesses. For example:

  • Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) has developed an excellent COVID-19 guide for businesses, and provides free weekly informational webinars, business consultation, and application assistance for Small Business Administration (SBA) and other business relief programs. You can check it all out and make an appointment with EDC online here.  

  • Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce has compiled some helpful COVID-19 information and resources, hosts frequent informational webinars, and has developed a list of local restaurants offering takeout and delivery services. See the list the Chamber has compiled here. If your restaurant is offering takeout or delivery service, but is not yet listed, please contact the Chamber to have your restaurant added.

  • Ventura County Community Foundation's Rapid Response Fund is extending support to individuals, non-profits, and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Learn more here.
State-level Resources and Update
California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-BIZ) COVID-19 resources: The Governor’s Office has developed a webpage to help California businesses understand the resources available to them during this health emergency. 

On April 13th, Governor Newsom announced a pact between California, Oregon and Washington outlining conditions for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future. See the press release here .

On April 17th, the Governor also announced a Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery . You can see the press release here .
Federal Update
The recent $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included $376 billion to support small businesses through emergency grants, forgivable loans, and relief for existing loans administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

On April 16th, the SBA announced it was unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program due to a lapse in appropriations.

Congress is currently discussing additional appropriations for small business assistance programs.
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