Updated January 10, 2022

Click Above Graphic to Open File

Variants, Boosters & COVID Workplace Standards: The Road Ahead for Employers

Read Full Article Here: https://www.employers.org/blog/2021/12/09/default/variants-boosters-covid-workplace-standards-the-road-ahead-for-employers/

Workplace COVID-19 Reporting

• When non-healthcare employers identify 3 or more cases of COVID-19 at a worksite within a 14-day period, they are required to report this to the local health department within 48 hours.
• Employers are encouraged to contact the local health department regarding any laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace.
• COVID-19 Workplace Outbreak Reporting Requirements
• Multiple COVID-19 Infections and COVID-19 Outbreaks

December 15, 2021

Covid 19 Resource Links

Business Resources

• UPDATED: CDC Resuming Business Toolkit- designed to assist employers in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and lowering the impact in their workplace when reintegrating employees into non-healthcare business settings.
• Voluntary N95 Distribution– Please contact one of these distribution partners.
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)– Small Business Survival Resources Guide to help business owners.

Safer At Work, COVID-19 Roadmaps for Businesses– COVID-19 Employer Portal helps businesses navigate beyond-the-blueprint times.

San Diego County Telebriefing Presentation regarding employment law considerations on vaccinations etc.

Click Image to open document in new tab.

Cal/OSHA approves rules allowing fully vaccinated workers to go without masks

Julian Chamber of Commerce

In collaboration with San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson

Small Business Stimulus Grant

Grant Application Now Open – Check your Eligibility to Submit your Application.

Applications are now open for eligible businesses, subject to availability of funding.  If you have applied previously, you will need to reapply.

The Small Business Stimulus Grant Program is funded by Board of Supervisors allocated federal American Recovery Plan Act funding. The grant funding provides economic assistance to help businesses and nonprofit entities impacted by COVID-19. Financial assistance will be allocated to eligible, qualified small businesses and nonprofit entities with final award recommendations made by individual district offices based on the availability of funds, program guidelines, and the submission of all required information and supporting documentation.

Small Business Stimulus Grant Home Page

Supervisorial District Representative:

District 2 (Supervisor Joel Anderson)
(619) 531-5942; Marc.Schaefer@sdcounty.ca.gov

Answers to Questions Received:

1. Utilities can be covered under Invoices.
2. The 2020 tax return could be provided in lieu of January 1 through February 14, 2020 monthly financial statements.
3.  Under Employee Retention:  An applicant submit expenses for having added Health Insurance to protect and retain employees.
4.  Any marketing campaigns or business plans paid for MUST be shown to assist company get back on its feet after COVID shutdowns.
5.  Guidelines for Paying Vendor Invoices: Businesses must provide copy of invoice and proof of payment. Essentially, activities eligible for funding must be a direct result of supporting public health and response activities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which can cover a wide range of invoices.
6.  If grant is awarded, applicants can only use the funds between dates of March 3, 2021 through 60 days past the date of the grant agreement.  Applicants can estimate the future expense and add it to the expense already incurred and enter into the eligible activity in the application.
7. When asked on the application if previously received money or funding from the county the applicant should just provide previous small business stimulus grant(s) received.

San Diego County moves into California’s less restrictive yellow tier

Effective Wednesday, June 9, 2021, San Diego County has moved to the Yellow Tier, or Tier 4.  Below is a brief summary of allowable operations with modifications in the Yellow Tier or Tier 4:

• Restaurant indoor dining (maximum 50% capacity), outdoor dining, drive-thru, take-out, pick-up, and delivery.
• Wineries, breweries, and distilleries take out, pick up, delivery, outdoor dining, and open indoors with the modifications below:
  • Maximum 50% capacity indoors, or 200 people, whichever is fewer.
  • A meal is not required to be served at wineries, breweries, and distilleries when operating within the stated capacity modifications.
• Bars without food are allowed to open indoors with modifications (maximum 25% capacity indoors, or 100 people, whichever is fewer). Bars that serve a meal must continue to comply with the restaurant requirements.
• Shopping centers, including swap meets, open indoors with no capacity restrictions; however food courts must follow reduced capacity restaurant requirements listed above.
• Gyms and fitness centers, open indoors at a 50% maximum capacity and indoor hot tubs/spas, saunas, and steam rooms are allowed to reopen.
• Museums, zoos, aquariums, open indoors with modifications outlined in the State’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance for Museums, Galleries, Zoos, and Aquariums.
• Body art facilities and massage establishments may continue offering indoor services with modifications outlined in the State’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance for Expanded Personal Care Services.

Reopening allowances for business sectors not listed above can be found on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. When the tier system ends in California, capacity and distancing restrictions will be lifted for most businesses and activities in the state. Further guidance is expected from the California Department of Public Health prior to June 15. Vaccination or negative test requirements will continue for large-scale indoor and outdoor events through at least October 1. We will provide another update via GovDelivery once restrictions of the tier system ends.

Read Channel 10 news Story – Click Here

CAL/OSHA Standards Board Tenuously Approves Updated COVID-19 Prevention Standards
Read Detailed Article – Click Here

BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT: JUNE 15 REOPENING GUIDELINES

California is getting ready to fully reopen. Last Friday state health officials provided additional insight on what the new rules will be starting June 15, including guidelines for mask wearing and physical distancing as well as defining and detailing the rules for so-called “mega events.”

Learn More By Clicking Here

Vaccination Forms Required At Vaccination Appointment for Minors 

Please see the attached forms for patients ages 12-17 receiving Pfizer. If a patient is under the age of 18 and a parent cannot be at the vaccination appointment with the child please fill out the Parent Consent Form. If a family member will bring the patient to the appointment please fill out the Caregiver form.

Newsom Announces the Largest Small Business Relief Program in the Nation

“Governor Newsom’s Plan expands the state’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant program to a total of $4 billion, representing the largest such program in the entire country. That’s in addition to Governor Newsom’s $6.2 billion tax cut for those businesses hit hardest by the pandemic, the largest state tax cut of its kind in history.” Read more.

4/26/21 – As California continues to gain ground against the coronavirus, the state is easing restrictions on private gatherings. This means weddings, quinceañeras and anyone else who’s had to cancel or postpone their big event due to the coronavirus can now start planning.

Read Article/Watch News Story – Click Here.

Pharmacies are providing COVID-19 Vaccines: Must be scheduled via website (links down below)

• CVS or Phone: 800-746-7287
• Rite Aid
• Walgreens
• Albertsons

Community Town Hall – Vaccines and COVID-19
Every Wednesday, 6:00pm

• The county will be hosting a virtual town hall on Facebook live
• Community Members can submit questions [here]
• Townhall can be viewed on these Facebook accounts: @SanDiegoCounty | @nathan.fletcher | @SupNoraVargas

To recap, we discussed the following highlights: 

Announcements (See attached PDF PowerPoint Slides for Resource Information)

Resource Links (at the bottom): 

Public Health Updates 

• Public Health Order

Cases & Trends (attached slides)

As of 3/23/21

• Confirmed COVID-19 cases by Date of Illness onset – SD county residents: 268,160
• Numbers are coming down, but we’re still in the substantial spread – RED TIER
• ICU Bed Occupancy and Capacity going down
• Total Number of Deaths =3,498
• Total Number of Community Outbreaks = 1,395
• 16 outbreaksin the last 7 days
• COVID-19 Percentage Positive
• Testing positivity is going down  4% 
• Adjusted Case Rate – down 5
• 3^rdweek of Red Tier

Blueprint for a Safer Economy – (attached slides)

• NEWBlueprint Refresh – 3/09/21 
• Activity and Business Tiers Chart– 3/5/21.
• No guidance on events from CDPH – expected this week
• Anticipate seeing the outdoor live events guidance this week
• As of 3/23, 2.9 million vaccinated in the state, goal is 4 million

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates – [See attached slides]

• Vaccination works! 
• US is doing pretty good in comparison to the world
• Real world data
• UCSD and UCLA published data
• From December 16, 2020 through February 19, 2021, a total of 36,659 health care workers received the first dose of vaccine, and 28,184 of these persons (77%) received the 2^nd
• People still can get infected with COVID-19 after the first dose, takes at least 2 weeks or later to be effective
• Importance of getting both doses (for a 2-dose vaccine)
• Importance of the timing of waiting 2+ weeks for being fully vaccinated
• Vaccinations prevent COVID-19 hospitalizations
• This data shows that the vaccines are almost 100% effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations
• Vaccinations likely reduces transmission
• Seven studies to date showed COVID-19 vaccines reduce asymptomatic infection (transmission)
• Vaccination Motivators
• No need to quarantine if exposed after vaccination if no symptoms
• Fully Vaccinated People Guidance – CDC
• COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization
• Vaccinations are being provided to priority groups based on available federal and state guidance and recommendations from the County of San Diego.
• Phase 1C – Eligible High-Risk Medical Conditions and Disabilities – Now Vaccinating
• People ages 16-64 deemed to be at the very highest riskto get very sick from COVID-19
• Goal: 70% Fully Vaccinated by July 2021 
• 6% percentage of population that has received at least the first dose
• 8% percentage of population fully vaccinated
• Vaccination Dashboard
• Vaccine Updates
• CDC workplace vaccine site added
• CDPH Vaccine equity metric
• Two new COVID-19 vaccination clinics are opening in the region
• Project SAVE has expanded to Oceanside and City Heights
• New video and radio ads with trusted messengers
• Learn the Vaccine Facts
• Nurse Williams – Learn the Vaccine Facts 
• MyTurnavailable in 12 languages
• Why should younger adults get vaccinated? 
• Safest way to acquire immunity
• Still suffering for some, even if less likely
• Younger adult age groups get infected first and spread the infection to more vulnerable settings and populations

COVID-19 Variants 

• A US government interagency group developed a Variant Classification scheme that defines three classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants:
• Variant of Interest– Currently 3
• Variant of Concern– Currently 5 – B117, B1351, P1, B1427/B1429
• B117 – 300 confirmed cases
• Deaths – 1
• Variant of High Consequence– currently 0

Other Updates 

• CDPH/CalOSHA interim guidance for ventilation, filtration, and air quality in indoor environments(2/26/21) 
• CDPH Mask Guidance(last updated 3/09)

Followed by Questions asked from the community, and answers:

Events Guidance

• CDPHis developing event guidance and hope to release it later this week. [Posted 3/24/21]

Bars vs. Breweries/Wineries/Distilleries Guidance 

• CDPHguidance was updated on March 13, 2021 and remains in effect. Under this guidance bars remain closed; facilities that serve food can open following the current restaurant guidance (beverage must be served as part of a meal). Guidance differs for bars due to the operation and social setting. Wineries, breweries and distilleries (where meals are not served) can open outdoors with modifications. [Posted 3/24/21]

Collection of Employee Vaccination Data

• There is no guidance from CDC or CDPH asking employers to collect vaccination data from employees/staff. Employers cannot mandate or ask employees for this information. [Posted 3/24/21]
  • After further review, our Business Sector team recognized that there was additional guidance from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing regarding the question titled Collection of Employee Vaccination Data. Thank you to a partner who shared the following additional resource. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing details its Employment-Information-on-COVID-19-FAQ additional guidance regarding the Collection of Employee Vaccination Data.

Reporting COVID-19 Data

• COVID-19 data is reported from several laboratories that share information at different rates/days. Data is also based on several variables such as timing of testing, reporting time, when a person becomes symptomatic, etc.
• San Diego County still has substantial spread, and we need to focus on layered intervention.
• Physical distancing
• Wearing a mask
• Handwashing
• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid gatherings, especially indoors
• Testing
• Quarantining after exposure
• Ventilation
• Contract tracing
• Vaccines

[Posted 3/24/2021]

Use of Equipment and Facilities in Shopping Malls

• The use of equipment/facilities could be considered permissible provided routine sanitation of the equipment between use was followed in accordance with a safe reopening plan and shopping center guidance. The risk to use such items rests with the owner/operator. [Posted 3/24/2021]

Curfew for Restaurants, Bars, Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries Customers

• Per the Public Health Order(section 11.e), “All restaurants, bars, wineries, distilleries and breweries that are otherwise permitted to be open shall be closed from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. every day except for delivery, take-out, and drive-thru. Guests already in the establishment at 10:00 p.m. may remain in the establishment until 11:00 p.m.” [Posted 3/24/21]

Accelerated Progression in Blueprint for a Safer Economy

• Per CDPH, in order to advance in the Blueprint for a Safer Economyeach county must meet the Adjusted Case Rate, Test Positivity, and Health Equity Metric criteria for a less restrictive tier. Accelerated progression is eligible when the Health Equity Quartile Test Positivity Rate meets threshold for two tiers less restrictive. For a County in Red Tier, if the case rate has declined or has not increased more than 5% the County can move to a less restrictive tier if the Health Equity Quartile HPI has met the <2% threshold of the Yellow Tier for two consecutive weeks.
• When the health equity metric is in the yellow tier for 2 straight weeks then San Diego County can move into the orange tier. [Posted 3/24/21]

COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments

• Doctors, pharmacies, community clinics, and other healthcare providers are working to provide vaccinations to San Diegans in the priority groups. While vaccines have arrived in the region, supplies remain extremely limited.
• Please be patient—as supply increases, providers will be able to perform more vaccinations and offer more appointments.
• If you have a healthcare provider or are enrolled with a local healthcare system, please contact them to schedule a vaccine appointment. If you do not have a doctor or other healthcare provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected with one.
• For those unable to get a vaccination from a healthcare provider, the County of San Diego and it’s partners are offering vaccinations to individuals in eligible priority groups. Appointments and proof of eligibility are required at all sites. Space is limited and appointments are updated regularly. See Vaccination Locations and Vaccination Schedule online herefor more details.
• Appointments can be made online at vaccinationsuperstationsd.comor by calling 2-1-1. [Posted 3/24/21]

Live Performances

• Per state, effective April 1, 2021 additional activities will be permitted. Guidance from the state is forthcoming. Check CDPH’s activity and business tiers tablefor information about the upcoming changes. [Posted 3/24/21]

Individuals Fully Vaccinated at Work

• At this point in time, CDC guidancefor individuals fully vaccinated pertains to private residences. Guidance for workplaces from Cal/OSHA have not been released. [Posted 3/24/21]

General Public Vaccination

• No tentative date has been determined for public vaccination. Everyone is encouraged to tune into the County’s media press briefings and visit coronavirus-sd.com/vaccinefor updates. COVID-19 live press briefings are held Wednesday at 2:30pm. These are streamed LIVE on the County’s Facebook and Twitter [Posted 3/24/21]

Websites/Resources mentioned: 

• Blueprint for a SaferEconomy
• Activity & Business Tiers
• County of San Diego Emergency Rental AssistanceDeadline: 3/31 
• COVID-19 Response Toolkit: Resources for Partners | Covid19Toolkit (ca.gov)
• COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov
• UPDATED 2/06/21: Public Health Officer Order
• Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports
• Cal Notify App: Add your phone. Step the spread. Get COVID-19 exposure notifications.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage
• Vaccination Dashboard
• COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Metric
• SanGISRegional GIS Data Warehouse Open Data Portal
• CDPH/CalOSHA interim guidance for ventilation, filtration, and air quality in indoor environments(2/26/21)
• Immediate Relief Funds for Businesses w/ FAQs
• Notifying the County of San Diego of a Lab-confirmed Case of COVID-19
• Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Diagnosis
• CDC Long-Term Effects of COVID-19(Updated 11/13/2020)
• CDPH Travel Advisory for All Californians(Updated 1/06/2021)
• CDPH Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission for Gatherings(Updated 11/13/2020)
• CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings(Updated 11/16/2020)
• People in California must wear face coverings when they are outside of the home, unless one of the exemptions applies.
• Business Sector Website
• Business Sector email address: COVID-Business@sdcounty.ca.gov
• COVID-19 E-Toolkit
• State COVID-19 Page
• Blueprint for a Safer Economy
• Safe Reopening Plan
• Positive Employee Flowchart
• Health Officer Order – Quarantine
• To report health order violations, call (858) 694-2900 or email SafeReopeningComplianceTeam@sdcounty.ca.gov.
• COVID-19 Employer Playbook for Safe Reopening
• CalOSHA Infection Control Online Training For Employers

We will be meeting again for the next Business Sector telebriefing on Wednesday, April 14^th, 2021 from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM. To request resources, ask questions, or address concerns, please contact COVID-Business@sdcounty.ca.gov

Effective Wednesday, March 17, 2021, San Diego County  moved to the Red Tier, or Tier 2. Below is a brief summary of allowable operations with modifications in the Red Tier or Tier 2 which include:

• Restaurant indoor dining (maximum 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer), outdoor dining, drive-thru, take-out, pick-up, and delivery.
• Wineries, breweries, and distilleries take out, pick up, delivery, and outdoor dining only with the modifications below:
  • Use of reservations
  • 90-minute time limit
  • Seating/tables only
  • Limited hours (service for on-site consumption closed by 8pm)
  • A meal is not required to be served at wineries, breweries, and distilleries when operating within the stated modifications.
• Bars that serve a meal and comply with the restaurant requirements. (Bars without food must remain closed)
• Shopping centers, including swap meets, open indoors (maximum 50% capacity and closed common areas).
• Gyms and fitness centers, open indoors at a 10% maximum capacity.
• Museums, zoos, aquariums, open indoors with 25% maximum capacity.
• Body art facilities and massage establishments may continue offering indoor services with modifications outlined in the State’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance for Expanded Personal Care Services.

Reopening allowances for business sectors not listed above can be found on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Please continue to take all the following necessary precautions to slow the spread of COVID‐19:

Review your onsite Safe Re‐opening Plan or Food Facility Protocols, and if necessary, update it to be consistent with the new requirements.

We appreciate your continued commitment to protecting public health. If you have questions regarding this information or your operation, please contact our duty information specialist at (858) 505‐6900 or email at fhdutyeh@sdcounty.ca.gov.

For updated information about COVID‐19, including resource documents such as frequently asked questions, informational posters, and guidance, please visit www.coronavirus‐sd.com. You can also text COSD COVID19 to 468-311 to get text alert updates or follow SDCountyHHSA on Facebook or @SDCountyHHSA on Twitter.

Sincerely,
Department of Environmental Health and Quality
Food and Housing Division

Provided By San Diego County – COVID 19 LINKS:

• What You Need to Know About Getting Vaccinated for Covid, From Side Effects to How Long Immunity Lasts
• On-stop-shop for materials and information to share
• San Diego County Vaccination Website
• Fully Vaccinated Guidance 
• Common Questions About COVID-19 Vaccinations
• Free MTS and NCTD Rides to Vaccination Appointments: More info [here]
• V-Safe after Vaccination Health Checker – available in multiple languages

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/what-to-know-about-coronavirus-in-san-diego-county/2283544/

Click Here for Additional Information

San Diego County – BUSINESS SECTOR TELEBRIEFING

Next Telebriefing: February 24th, 2021 | 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Join us for another online forum Q&A and Public Health Order Updates.
You can ask questions during the call through the online chat feature. Speakers will answer as many questions as possible during the one-hour telebrief.

To listen-in only, call: 1-669-900-6833 or enter the meeting ID provided below.
https://zoom.us/j/157409037
Meeting ID: 157 409 037
Submit Telebriefing Questions

2/1/2021 -Reminder – Take The Safe Destination Pledge –

Learn More Here:  https://www.sandiego.org/about/safe-destination-pledge.aspx

Our Safe Destination Pledge is designed to let you know how are hotels and hospitality businesses are ensuring your health and well-being during every phase of your visit—from the airport to the hotel to dining out to visiting our beaches and other attractions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 2021

Public Health Officials Lift Regional Stay at Home Order for All Regions

SACRAMENTO – Officials with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today ended the Regional Stay at Home Order, lifting the order for all regions statewide, including the three regions that had still been under the order – San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area and Southern California. Four-week ICU capacity projections for these three regions are above 15%, the threshold that allows regions to exit the order. The Sacramento Region exited the order on January 12 and the Northern California region never entered the order.

Supporting Documents:

22 Grants, Loans and Programs to Benefit Your Small Business

When you know where to look, help for your small business is there for the taking.

01/15/21 – COVID BUSINESS CONFERENCE CALL – Questions asked from the community, and answers:

• Reporting Positive COVID-19 Cases
• Under Section 12 of theSan Diego County Public Health Order, if an employer becomes aware that an employee is diagnosed with COVID19: Promptly notify the County Department of Public Health that there is an employee that is laboratory-confirmed diagnosed with COVID-19, together with the name, date of birth, and contact information of the employee. It is recommended for employers to report all suspected COVID-19 cases to prevent outbreak elsewhere. To notify the County of a person (employee or student) with COVID-19 at your site, complete the online COVID-19 Notification Form. [Posted 1/13/21]
• Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards
• Per the state’sEmergency Temporary Standards (ETS), employers are required to contact Cal/OSHA if an employee contracted COVID-19 at work. Employers should contact Cal/OSHA directly with questions about ETS. [Posted 1/13/21]
• What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
• According to CDC guidance, COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may feel like flu and may even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. [Posted 1/13/21]
• COVID-19 Symptoms VS. Vaccine Side Effects
• Waiting for CDC guidance. COVID-19 vaccine side effects should go away in 3 days.[Posted 1/13/21]
• COVID-19 Vaccine & Essential Workforce
• The County of San Diego is following federal and state guidelines for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine that will be done in phases. Currently only Phase 1A, healthcare personal and long-term care staff and residents, is eligible to receive vaccine now. See the state webpage for information about essential workforce. [Posted 1/13/21]
• Youth Sports Guidance Under Regional Stay Home Order
• Under the Regional Stay at Home Order, permitted youth and recreational adult sports – physical conditioning, practice, skill-building, and training that can be conducted outdoors, with 6 feet of physical distancing, and within stable cohorts are authorized regardless of county tier status.  Athletes and coaches should cohort by team, and refrain from participating with more than one team. All “gatherings” with members of other households are prohibited unless expressly permitted in the Regional Stay At Home Order issued by the California Public Health Officer.

[Posted 1/13/21]

• COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave in 2021
• The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021, extended employer tax credits for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave voluntarily provided to employees until March 31, 2021. However, the CAA did not extend employees’ entitlement to FFCRA leave beyond Dec. 31, 2020, meaning employers will no longer be legally required to provide such leave. [Posted 1/13/21]
• Restaurant Dining
• Under the Regional StayHome order, indoor and outdoor dining is not permissible. When the SoCal Region projection returns to 15% or better ICU bed capacity as a region, the State will release those counties within that region from the Regional Stay-at-Home order. When that happens for SD County, we’ll revert to Tier 1/Purple where outdoor dining is permissible.[Posted 1/13/21]
• Reporting COVID-19 Positive Employee to County Department of Public Health
• Per section 12 of the County Public Health Order, employers must promptly notify the County of San Diego Department of Public Health about an employee that is laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 by completing this online form. [Posted 1/13/21]
• CDC Quarantine Guidance
• Per CDC, people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19—excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months – need to quarantine.
• People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms. People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.[Posted 1/13/21]
• County ICU Projection
• Data on ICU forecastscan be found on the state webpage.
• Go to https://calcat.covid19.ca.gov
• Select Forecasts.
• Select County tab at top of page.
• Go to California County ICU Forecasts section and in drop down box select San Diego. [Posted 1/13/21]
• Regional ICU Capacity Calculation
• The State posts ICU capacity by region daily as well as maintaining a publicly available dashboard on hospital and ICU capacity by county. Hospitals are required to submit information on the total number of available staffed ICU beds daily. This includes both existing staffed ICU beds and staffed ICU surge beds. To calculate regional ICU capacity the total number of adult ICU beds is calculated by removing neonatal ICU beds (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit beds (PICU) as well as standardizing current adult ICU capacity. Consistent with the goal of the Regional Stay Home Order, this calculation ensures that sufficient ICU bed capacity is available for COVID and non-COVID related conditions.  [Posted 1/13/21]
• COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
• The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended but not mandatory.Per CDC, the vaccine is safe, will help keep you from getting COVID-19, and offers several benefits.  [Posted 1/13/21]
• COVID-19 Vaccine Phase Guidance
• Updates on who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be posted on the https://coronavirus-sd.com/vaccine Additionally, sector specific information will be disseminated through the County of San Diego’s Community Sector groups. We recommend that you visit your sector’s page for tailored information and sign up to receive email updates. [Posted 1/13/21]

Websites/Resources mentioned: 

• Cal Notify App: Add your phone. Step the spread. Get COVID-19 exposure notifications.
• Flu Vaccine Events: Currently still in flu season. Now is a good time to get your flu vaccine.
• Short feedback form: The business sector needs your input! Please fill out this short form to let us know how we can better assist you.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage
• Small Business Stimulus Grant Program: PLEASE NOTE: Districts 2, 3, and 4 have already allocated all of their funding and are no longer accepting applications.
• Immediate Relief Funds for Businesses w/ FAQs
• Public Health Officer Order (Effective 12/10/2020)
• Notifying the County of San Diego of a Lab-confirmed Case of COVID-19
• Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Diagnosis
• California COVID Assessment Tool (CalCAT)
• CDC Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 (Updated 11/13/2020)
• CDPH Travel Advisory for All Californians (Updated 1/06/2021)
• CDPH Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission for Gatherings (Updated 11/13/2020)
• CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings (Updated 11/16/2020)
• People in California must wear face coverings when they are outside of the home, unless one of the exemptions applies.
• Business Sector Website
• Business Sector email address: COVID-Business@sdcounty.ca.gov
• COVID-19 E-Toolkit
• State COVID-19 Page
• Blue Print for a Safer Economy
• Safe Reopening Plan
• Positive Employee Flowchart
• Health Officer Order – Quarantine
• To report health order violations, call (858) 694-2900 or email SafeReopeningComplianceTeam@sdcounty.ca.gov.
• COVID-19 Employer Playbook for Safe Reopening
• CalOSHA Infection Control Online Training For Employers

From San Diego Supervisor, Joel Anderson:

I am proud that my Board colleagues voted to support my common-sense COVID-19 enforcement proposal. Prior to any COVID enforcement, the County must:

 Produce scientific data proving the activity poses a health risk
 Release enforcement criteria to public
 Apply enforcement consistently and fairly

See my full press release below 

Email Received 1-11-2021

After the dark events of last week, it’s nice to report some remarkable light for our travel industry. Of the many positive metrics in American travel sentiment this week, here is a summary of all those that hit pandemic-period record-highs:

• Americans’ openness to travel inspiration (measuring 6.0 on a scale of 0-10)
• Those in a travel readiness state-of-mind (58.6%)
• Excitement levels about travel in 2021 (6.1 on a scale of 0-10)
• The percent of American travelers who believe the COVID-19 vaccines are safe (67.8%)
• The percent of American travelers that will be getting vaccinated against COVID-19 (61.4%)
• The proportion of American travelers who are more optimistic about being able to safely travel in the next six months due to vaccine availability (56.4%)
• The percent of American travelers saying they have begun planning and booking trips specifically in anticipation of vaccines being available (33.7%)
• The percent of American travelers who say discounts and price cuts can motivate them to take a trip they had not previously considered (43.0%)
• The percent of American travelers that said they would be happy if they saw an advertisement promoting their community as a place for tourists to come visit when it is safe (40.3%)

e.

Email Received 1-6-2021

We are sending you this email to give you some important updates about California’s Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant program.

Most importantly, please note that the deadline for Round 1 applications has been extended to January 13th, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Apply now at CAReliefGrant.com.

Additionally, in order to handle the continued high volumes, we have made adjustments to the update and upload process. If applicants experienced disruptions in the application process, they will be notified when they can log back in for updates and uploads.

For applicants in process, the opportunity to finish your application and upload documents will begin today, January 6th, 2021. Please note that you will be notified by email when to log in to complete your unfinished application or upload requested documents.

You will receive an email with a new password, your username will stay the same to log into the Portal. This new password will work going forward and will replace any passwords used up until this point.

This will be a slow release to prevent high volume traffic, so please check your email throughout the day. If you have already started an application in the system please do not fill out a new application as this can delay consideration; however, you should complete your application and upload documents prior to January 13th, 11:59 p.m.

New applicants are welcome to apply any time prior to January 13th, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

New dates and deadlines:

• Start a new application –December 30th, 2020 –closes January 13th, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
• Update and upload documents for in-process applications –January 6th, 2021 –January 13th, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
• The new closing date for Round 1 is January 13th, 2021 at 11:59 pm.

As a reminder, this is not a first-come, first-serve application process or rolling approval process -all eligible applicants will be considered for the grant at the close of Round 1 on January 13th, 2021 at 11:59 pm and not before.

Visit CAReliefGrant.com for updates.

Thank you for your patience.

As part of an end-of-year pandemic relief package, Congress has passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Other changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans.

Congress has also made changes to other programs – including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL Program), the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a Venue Grant program, and SBA loan programs –that will benefit small businesses.

Visit the Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans web page from the U.S. Chamber to read more about these important updates and your eligibility for additional loans.

The U.S. Chamber’s web page will answer these questions:

• How Do These Changes Impact My Existing PPP Loan?
• I Exhausted My Initial PPP Loan, How Does This Help Me?
• What If I Never Received a PPP Loan?
• Which hinges to Other Programs That May Help My Small Business Have Been Changed?

https://www.uschamber.com/report/guide-small-business-covid-19-emergency-loans 

The State of California announced a $500 million grant fund to support small businesses. Businesses can now get their applications prepared for when the first round opens on December 30. Lendistry was selected as the administrator of the grant.

To help you know what to do to prepare to apply between December 30 and January 8, we will have daily webinars at 11 am. You can register here: bit.ly/38tKcPp

We will be discussing:

• The Grant Program
• Eligibility Requirements
• What the funding can be used for
• The Application
• Required Documents
• Who to Contact for Assistance

Webinars Occur at 11 AM Daily:

• Dec 23, 24, 27, Jan 1 – English
• Dec 26 – English/Spanish
• Dec 28 – English/Armenian
• Dec 29 – English/Mandarin
• Dec 30 – English/Tagalog
• Dec 31 – English/Farsi
• Jan 2 – English/Vietnamese
• Jan 3 – English/Korean
• Jan 4 – English/Arabic

To learn more about the grant, please visit https://careliefgrant.com/

Excerpt From  County Email dateed 12/17/2020

• Addressing COVID-19 Cases at Workplace Environment

If an employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the employer should promptly report information to County Public Health Services by completing the online notification form. Employers must also provide prompt notice to any employees who may have been exposed per the California COVID-19 Employer Playbook and Cal/OSHA guidance. A visual guide outlining steps to take can be found on the County’s website. [Posted 12/16/20]

• COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Phases

The County of San Diego follows guidance from the state which is currently in Phase 1A. Phase 1B vaccine distribution guidance has yet to be decided by the state government. [Posted 12/16/20]

• Updated Youth Sports Guidance Under Stay-at-Home Order

The Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports Guidance was updated on December 14, 2020. Youth and adult sports include varied activities that have different levels of risk for transmission of COVID-19. Outdoor activities that allow for consistent wearing of face coverings and physical distancing are lower risk than indoor activities that involve close contact between sports participants and high exertion that increases spread of exhaled particles and limits the ability to wear face coverings consistently. Participants in youth sports should wear face coverings when participating in the activity, maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and shared equipment should be cleaned and disinfected before use by another person, group, or team. Such activities may be conducted indoors consistent with restrictions by Tier in the Gym & Fitness Center Guidance Capacity. [Posted 12/16/20]

• Diagnostic Testing to Reduce Quarantine

Per CDC guidance when diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available, then quarantine can end after Day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring. The specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation (day 5), but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7. Any option to shorten quarantine risks being less effective than the currently recommended 14-day quarantine. [Posted 12/16/20]

• Small Business Stimulus Grant Program & 501 C (6) organizations

The Small Business Stimulus Grant Program approved by the County Board of Supervisors to provide financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofit entities is determined by individual district offices. Awards are based on availability of funds, program guidelines, and the submission of required information. 501 C (6) organizations are encouraged to contact their district office with questions. Contact information for Supervisorial District Representatives can be found online at the bottom of this webpage. [Posted 12/16/20]

• Reporting Positive COVID-19 Teleworking Employees

Per the Public Health Order (12a), if an employer becomes aware that an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19 they must promptly notify the County Department of Public Health. Employers can report information by completing the online COVID-19 notification form. Employers should report COVID-19 confirmed cases for all employees, including those teleworking from home. [Posted 12/16/20]

• Regional Stay at Home Order and Massage

Under the Regional Stay at Home Order, medical massage is allowed with a doctor’s note. [Posted 12/16/20]

• Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard

Per the Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), employers must offer COVID-19 testing to potentially exposed employees at no cost and during working hours. Employers can refer their employees to free County COVID-19 testing sites. Testing location information can be found online or by calling 2-1-1 (toll free). [Posted 12/16/20]

• Drive-in Movies are Permissible Under the Stay-At-Home Order 

Drive-in Movies are permissible under the Regional Stay At Home Order. A Safe Reopening Plan  is required and COVID-19 prevention protocols need to be in place. Please ensure that local jurisdictions are aware as there could be restrictions regarding these types of events. [Posted 12/16/20]

Websites/Resources mentioned: 

• Small Business Stimulus Grant Program
• Immediate Relief Funds for Businesses w/ FAQs
• Winter Holiday Guidance & Holiday Charitable Meals Guidance Available in 8 Languages 
• Holiday Assistance Programs
• County Rental Assistance Program Expanded to 10K Households
• Public Health Officer Order (Updated 12/9/2020)
• Notifying the County of San Diego of a Lab-confirmed Case of COVID-19
• Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Diagnosis
• California COVID Assessment Tool (CalCAT)
• CDC Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 (Updated 11/13/2020)
• CDPH Travel Advisory for All Californians (Updated 11/13/2020)
• CDPH Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission for Gatherings (Updated 11/13/2020)
• CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings (Updated 11/16/2020)
• People in California must wear face coverings when they are outside of the home, unless one of the exemptions applies.
• Business Sector Website
• Business Sector email address: COVID-Business@sdcounty.ca.gov
• COVID-19 E-Toolkit
• State COVID-19 Page
• Blue Print for a Safer Economy
• Safe Reopening Plan
• Positive Employee Flowchart
• Health Officer Order – Quarantine
• To report health order violations, call (858) 694-2900 or email SafeReopeningComplianceTeam@sdcounty.ca.gov.
• COVID-19 Employer Playbook for Safe Reopening
• Submit success stories and testimonials to the 10^th Anniversary Edition of the Live Well San Diego Annual Impact Report
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
• Healthy San Diego Health Plan Contact Card

Received 12-18-20 at 6:33pm

Note from Robin : We are here to provide you with information and resources to the best of our ability. We trust our members will all do what is right for their business.

Dear Operators, Today, the Court of Appeal issued a Stay of a lower court’s ruling regarding enforcement of State and local health orders in restaurants. All State and local health orders regarding restaurant operations, including the Regional Stay at Home Order remain in effect. This means that effective immediately, all onsite dining (indoor and outdoor) is prohibited and the State and local health orders and food facility protocols must be followed. All food facilities, including restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries and distilleries, shall only offer food and beverage for take-out, pick-up, or delivery.  Please continue to take all necessary precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19 by complying with the health orders, food facility protocols, and continue the following practices: Wear face coverings. Physically distance six feet when possible. Frequently wash your hands. Stay home if you’re sick. Follow industry specific guidelines for COVID-19. Review your onsite Safe Reopening Plan or Food Facility Protocol and if necessary, update it to be consistent with the new requirements for your industry. We appreciate your continued commitment to protecting public health. If you have questions regarding this information or your operation, please contact our duty information specialist at (858) 505‐6900 or email at fhdutyeh@sdcounty.ca.gov. For updated information about COVID-19, including resource documents such as frequently asked questions, informational posters, and guidance, please visit www.coronavirus-sd.com. You can also text COSD COVID19 to 468-311 to get text alert updates or follow SDCountyHHSA on Facebook or @SDCountyHHSA on Twitter. Sincerely, Department of Environmental Health Food and Housing Division Learn more about the County of San Diego – Food and Housing Division. Environmental and public health through leadership, partnership and science.

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This email was sent to chamber@julianca.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: County of San Diego · 1600 Pacific Highway · San Diego, CA · 858-694-3900

San Diego County Restaurants Exempt From State’s COVID-19 Restrictions, Judge Rules

Thursday, December 17, 2020,  By City News Service, Jacob Aere

Click headline above to read article and view associated videos. 

12-14-2020 From INC. Magazine 

12-7-2020

California Small Business Relief Grants
Governor Newsom and the Legislature announced a package of assistance for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including $500 million in grants. While the program is being created, please sign up here to receive an update when launched.

12/7/20

Stay Home Order Issued as Region’s ICU Capacity Drops Below 15%

The Southern California intensive care unit (ICU) bed capacity has dropped below 15%, and the state requires San Diego County to implement a Regional Stay Home Order that prohibits gatherings of any size and closes operations in multiple sectors, including restaurants, bars, wineries and personal services.

The current ICU capacity for the Southern California region, which includes San Diego and 10 other counties, is now 12.5% as of December 5. The order is in effect today and will last for at least three weeks or until the region’s ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. The order will be assessed by the state on a weekly basis after the three-week period.

Among restrictions that go beyond the current Purple Tier that already apply to San Diego:

• No gatherings of any size.
• Restaurants open for takeout, delivery or drive-thru only. No on-site dining.
• Indoor operations limited to 20%.
• Hotels and lodging. Open only for critical infrastructure support.

The following must close from operating in any form, indoors or outdoors:

• Indoor or outdoor playgrounds
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Personal care services, including nail salons
• Museums, zoos and aquariums
• Movie theaters
• Wineries
• Cardrooms and satellite wagering
• Overnight stays at campgrounds

Essential businesses such as supermarkets, grocery stores, laundromats and pharmacies will remain open.

Parks, beaches and hiking and bike trails remain open. Other outdoor activities are also permitted but a face mask and social distancing is required.

12-6-2020 (Sunday)

The State Regional Stay at Home Order, announced December 3, 2020, requires regions with less than 15% hospital intensive care unit (ICU) availability to comply with additional COVID-19 preventative measures. Today, the Southern California region (which includes Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura), met that criteria. Effective, December 6, 2020 at 11:59 pm (Midnight Sunday Night) the following state required Health Order changes will take effect and be in effect for a minimum of 3 weeks.  After the initial three week period the hospital ICU capacity will be assessed on a weekly basis and the Order will be updated when ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%.

Effective December 6, 2020 at 11:59 pm (Midnight Sunday Night):

The following businesses and playgrounds must close:

• Restaurant Food Facilities (other than for take-out, pick-up or delivery, which is still allowed)
• Bars, breweries, and distilleries (other than for take-out, pick-up or delivery, which is still allowed)
• Wineries (other than for take-out, pick-up or delivery, which is still allowed) 
• Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
• Indoor recreational facilities
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Personal care services (including massage and body art)
• Museums, zoos, and aquariums
• Movie theaters
• Family entertainment centers
• Cardrooms and satellite wagering
• Limited services
• Live audience sports
• Amusement parks

Please continue to take all necessary precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Wear face coverings.
• Physically distance six feet when possible.
• Frequently wash your hands.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Follow industry specific guidelines for COVID-19.
• Review your onsite Safe Reopening Plan or Food Facility Protocol and if necessary, update it to be consistent with the new requirements for your industry.

We appreciate your continued commitment to protecting public health. If you have questions regarding this information or your operation, please contact our duty information specialist at (858) 505‐6900 or email at fhdutyeh@sdcounty.ca.gov.

For updated information about COVID-19, including resource documents such as frequently asked questions, informational posters, and guidance, please visit www.coronavirus-sd.com. You can also text COSD COVID19 to 468-311 to get text alert updates or follow SDCountyHHSA on Facebook or @SDCountyHHSA on Twitter.

Sincerely,

Department of Environmental Health
Food and Housing Division