The state provided its weekly update this afternoon, and Ventura County is still in the purple tier because of the high number of new COVID cases in the county. To move to the red tier, Ventura County must operate within the red tier criteria for two consecutive weeks. That means that the soonest Ventura County can move to the red tier is now September 29.

According to the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the state will report the color tier for each county every Tuesday. Additional categories of businesses will be allowed to reopen, and open businesses will be allowed to have higher occupancies, as Ventura County moves to better tiers.

Ventura County health officials report the number of cases every weekday afternoon at www.venturacountyrecovers.org. To progress to the red tier, Ventura County must report in the red tier for two consecutive weeks, which translates to approximately 60 new COVID-19 diagnoses per day, for a two-week period. For reference, yesterday's County report indicated 67 new COVID-19 cases per day over the prior three days.

To see what can types of businesses can open in the different tiers, visit covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ and select Ventura County and your business type.

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While state legislation is providing some eviction protections to residential tenants, it is not extending those protections to commercial tenants. If your business is facing eviction, or if you are at risk of being evicted, here are some resources available for you:

1. Talk to a Financial Advisor. Tenants that are experiencing economic hardship should look at all financial counseling options available. Small Business Development Center financial advisors are available to assist. To schedule an appointment, please call (805) 409-9159.

2. Register for Next Week's Webinar. The Economic Development Collaborative is hosting a free webinar titled "Creative Solutions for Commercial Landlords and Tenants During COVID-19" on Thursday, September 24, at 12:00 PM. Register Here

3. Seek Legal Aid. Free legal assistance is available through the Ventura County Self-Help Legal Access Center. They can assist you with unlawful detainer actions and provide resources to assist with landlord/tenant negotiations. If your finances permit, businesses should also consider hiring an attorney to work as an intermediary between you and your landlord.

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Tuesday, September 22, 10:00 AM | Register Here

Learn about Google My Business, a free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps. Get hands-on help creating or updating your business profile or a simple website.

Wednesday, September 23, 9:00 AM | Register Here

A live interactive webinar focused on answering your questions on working with QuickBooks or your other financial resources to understand, monitor, and improve the financial health of your business.

Thursday, September 24, 12:00 PM | Register Here

Join associate attorneys and partners from Meyers, Widders, Gibson, Jones, & Feingold in discussing commercial leasing and finding creative solutions to tenant-landlord disputes during COVID-19. The panel will review lease provisions during COVID-19, the recent eviction moratorium, effect of bankruptcies on commercial tenancies, and strategies to achieving win-win solutions for both tenants and landlords.