COVID-19 Weekly Update: March 11, 2020
Pioneer Square Stakeholders-

The Alliance for Pioneer Square is working diligently to support the Pioneer Square community through the COVID-19 virus outbreak. This is the first of a series of weekly messages to the Pioneer Square community to ensure all are well informed of the impacts and resources available pertaining to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Each week, we will provide a recap of the past week's COVID-19 news and provide a forecast of impacts to come.

The COVD-19 virus outbreak is an evolving, unprecedented situation, with new information coming to light hourly. Between weekly messages please review our website, which features a series of resources intended to assist small business owners, managers, and employees impacted by the COVID-19 virus crisis, along with public health recommendations. We will revise this page as more information becomes available, so check back often.

What's Happened the Past Seven Days



  • Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-123)
  • The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-123; introduced as HR 6074, 116th Congress), provides funding to various federal government agencies to specifically respond to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak in domestic and international contexts.
  • As part of HR 6074, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) will soon provide an application and fact sheet for US small business impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. If your business has incurred economic loss and hardship due to COVID-19, please complete this form and send it to KC.ECC@kingcounty.gov. Please note: This is just a preliminary asset to show need; once the SBA decides that relief is necessary and warranted, businesses will need to apply for the program directly. OED will provide direct technical assistance to local small businesses and nonprofits to ensure they can immediately access the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) federal loan program once it becomes available.

  • Seattle Public Utility and Seattle City Light Deferment Program
  • Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and Seattle City Light (SCL) will provide immediate utility relief for customers, both residential and commercial, financially impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Effective immediately, all SPU and SCL customers can set up deferred payment plans if their financial stability has been jeopardized by COVID-19.

  • Deferral of B&O Taxes
  •  Effective immediately, the department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) will defer business and occupation (B&O) tax collections for eligible business owners, allowing small business owners increased flexibility during a period of financial duress caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • Governor Jay Inslee Proclaims Prohibition of Gatherings of 250 People or More
  • Gatherings of 250 people or more for social, spiritual and recreational activities including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities.
  • This measure applies only to events in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties through the month of March.

  • King County Public Health Provides Guidelines for Gatherings of 250 People or Less
  • Gatherings of 250 people or less must meet the following guidelines:
  • Older and vulnerable individuals have been encouraged not to attend
  • Recommendations for social distancing and limiting close contact are met
  • Employees or volunteers leading an event are screened for symptoms each day
  • Proper hand washing, sanitation, and cleaning is readily available
  • Environmental cleaning guidelines are followed (e.g., clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily or more frequently)

What is Anticipated to Happen

  • April First Thursday Art Walk will still proceed as planned. We recommend that all participating venues adhere to the King County guidelines for public events with fewer than 250 attendees.

  • T-Mobile Park and CenturyLink Field events, including sporting events will be impacted by the large crowd restrictions. There will be no March to the Match March 21st.


Please let us know how we might best support you. Feel free to contact any of us with comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns.
Sincerely,

ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE