Joint Communication to Carlsbad Businesses Regarding COVID-19
The rapidly evolving situation around the coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting all of us. We know that this is disrupting our business community. The City of Carlsbad, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Carlsbad Village Association are united in keeping our businesses informed during this difficult time.
Recent guidance from federal, state and county public health officials are crucial to keeping our community safe and trying to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The city will continue to provide updates on our local efforts at our website
www.carlsbadca.gov
.
One important recent development is regarding public facilities. As of this morning at libraries and all other city buildings are temporarily closed to the public. City employees will continue to work, maintaining a 6-foot distance between each other and following all other health guidelines.
Among the facilities affected are:
- Libraries
- Senior Center (M-F meal service for those 60 and older will continue outside on a pickup basis and by delivery)
- Community centers, aquatic centers and all parks buildings except restrooms
- Faraday Administration Center
- City Hall
Today at 4:30 p.m. the City Council will be convening to consider the declaration of a local emergency. More information on this Special City Council Meeting can be found
here
.
Many city services can be accessed online or by phone. For more updates please go to our
dedicated webpage
.
Yesterday, the County of San Diego issued an emergency order that went in effect at 12:00 a.m. today Tuesday, March 17 and continuing until March 31, 2020. You can access the full order and other updates from the county at
coronavirus-sd.com
. Key provisions of the order include:
- All public or private gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited and all non-essential gatherings of any size are strongly discouraged.
- All bars, adult entertainment establishments, and other business establishments that serve alcohol and do not serve food must close.
- All restaurants and other business establishments that serve food are required to close all on-site dining though food may be served by delivery or through pickup or drive thru.
- All businesses are required to enact social distancing, increased sanitation standards, and make every effort to use telecommuting for its workforce.
- All businesses shall suspend any policy or procedure that requires doctor verification for sick or other leave approval.
- All public or private schools, colleges, and universities shall not hold classes or other school activities where students gather on the school campus.
- A strong recommendation is made to all persons who are 65 years or older, have chronic underlying condition, or have a compromised immune system self-quarantine themselves at home.
- Non-essential personnel are prohibited from entry into any hospital or long-term care facility.
- A strong recommendation is made for persons exhibiting mild to moderate systems of COVID-19 to self-isolate themselves in their place of residence unless seeking medical treatment.
It is important that we all do what we can to ensure compliance with public health orders to keep our community safe.
As we pull together during this uncertain time here are some resources that may be valuable.
The governor of the State of California’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) has put together
a helpful website
for employers and employees as it relates to COVID-19.
For workers and employers, the state Employment Development Department has compiled
important information
on issues such as disability insurance claims, paid family leave, tax assistance, and workplace safety.
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has
various resources
you may want to check out including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and guidance for businesses and employers.
You are probably familiar with the Innovate78 initiative which is an economic development collaboration between the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido.They recently stood up
a website
with information on the coronavirus and are continually updating as new resources come in.
The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the San Diego North Economic Development Council also are regularly updating their coronavirus resource
webpages
.
It is possible that your business may face a hardship and SDG&E is trying to
do their part
.
The utility will waive late payment fees for businesses facing hardship.
The city and our business organization partners are committed to supporting our companies during this time. We need your help at this critical moment in our city, state, nation and world. If we work together and help each other out, we will demonstrate the best our community has to offer – the resilience of its people.
Carlsbad knows how to pull together in a time of crisis. We have done it time and time again. Thank you for all that you do for our community. Together we will see our way through this difficult time.
