Weekly Message ~ May 2020
Business News
Reminder: Provide Your Feedback Today!
As part of the COVID-19 update, City Council will consider an  Emergency Resolution to temporarily close Santa Cruz Avenue to allow restaurants and retail stores to operate businesses, sell goods, and serve food in closed street areas consistent with the provisions and timing set by the San Mateo County Public Health Officer.

City Council will consider this action at the next Council Meeting tonight, on Tuesday, May 12th at 5:00 pm .

Please provide your feedback  as soon as possible  to three questions in the survey linked below which will be relayed to City Council.

New Health Order - Shelter-In-Place Extended with Modifications
On May 4th, San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow posted a statement regarding where we are in the fight against COVID-19 and what could be ahead. The revised  Health Officer Order  became effective May 4th and directs San Mateo County residents to Shelter in Place for another four weeks.

“If we continue to have the public’s cooperation, I have great hope that the indicators we are monitoring will continue to improve and this Order can be revised before May 31, 2020, in a manner that focuses more on behavior and risk of disease transmission,” wrote Dr. Morrow.

Some modifications have been made including the re-opening of some outdoor businesses such as construction and gardening services. Some County Parks have also reopened on a modified basis. See Dr. Morrow’s full statement here .
Water Quality Message for Re-Opening Businesses
If you are preparing to reopen building or business where there’s been little to no water use, please thoroughly flush water from the taps before using it. This precaution is necessary because prolonged stagnation of water in building pipes can impair water quality.
 
To flush properly, start from the faucet closest to the water meter and move outward toward the farthest faucet. If your faucet has both cold and hot water handles, run the cold water first, then the hot water.

Make a Donation to Help Local Small Businesses!
The  San Mateo County Strong Fund provides immediate financial support during these trying times for those in need. 

Your donation to  SMCU Community Fund  for the San Mateo County Strong Fund business grant program will help small local businesses, helping them avoid layoffs and stay open or reopen once feasible. All money donated will stay inside San Mateo County and not one penny will go elsewhere, so you can have confidence that you are helping your neighbors. 

Please click here  to donate.
C OVID-19 Resources

We understand that many in our community are facing unprecedented hardship related to COVID-19. Please know that your San Mateo County leaders are here to help. To learn about resources available to you, your family, or your business, go to   https://cmo.smcgov.org/covid-19-resources

Stay home and stay healthy. You will help save lives.

See FAQs or call 211 with any non-medical questions related to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing for Essential Services/Businesses
To help flatten the curve and support first responders and essential workers, Stanford Medicine has launched:

  • Drive-through testing sites.
  • Prioritized testing and results.
  • A smartphone app with the latest, most accurate information on COVID-19.

Testing is available to anyone working in a grocery store, gas station, restaurant or other business that remains open to provide services to the community.

Around Menlo Park
City Reopens Bedwell Bayfront Park; Other Recreation Facilities Remain Closed
Effective 7 a.m., Saturday, May 9, the City of Menlo Park will reopen Bedwell Bayfront Park  with limits on park capacity and with social distancing requirements and park monitors in place. The San Mateo County Health Officer’s shelter-in-place order remains in effect through May 31, even as some statewide rules are relaxed.

“We are excited to reopen Bedwell Bayfront Park for the benefit of our residents. It remains important for all of us to continue to follow the health officer’s order and the new safety protocols. This is for the protection of all park users and their loved ones. Help us maintain a safe environment for all so that we can keep the park open for everyone in our community,” said Mayor Cecilia Taylor.

Webinar: Digital Tools & Strategies for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
As businesses get ready for modifications, technology will become increasingly important and there are digital resources available.

Listen to the "Bridging Re-Opening: Digital Tools & Strategies" conversation to discover resources, strategies, and insights on how to adapt to the marketplace during COVID-19 with:

  • Nuria S. Wolfe - Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Encantos
  • Manal Richa - Business Consultant of Orange County SBDC
  • Moderator: Dilawar Syed CEO of Lumiata and Chair of the California Entrepreneurship Task Force
  • Hosted by: Isabel Guzman - Director of CalOSBA

Members at Work
Amici's May Deal
Enjoy 20% off Amici's Items of the Month:
NEW BBQ Chicken Pizza & NEW Southwestern Salad

Offer valid on pick-up & delivery orders during the month of May via amicis.com or mobile app. Use ' MAY20 ' at checkout.

Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce | (650) 325-2818 |  menloparkchamber.com