What COVID19 Means for Business

The City of Chino values its businesses and is making every effort to ensure that those businesses can sustain the challenging times created by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). City staff continue to identify opportunities that may provide aid and help weather the challenges affecting business operations.

City of Chino:

-The City of Chino has declared a local emergency. This allows greater flexibility in obtaining resources and reimbursement for city costs

-We have opened up our Emergency Operations Center where our leadership will meet daily

-City facilities will be closed to the public effective Wednesday, March 18 except by appointment. Despite our closure, we will continue operations and field inquiries from the public via calls or email. See the City's COVID-19 page for more info. 

-City of Chino is in compliance with State of California and County of San Bernardino mandates of quarantine except for the need for essential services. Essential services, per the state policy, are defined here.

-Employers can reach out to the Economic Development Division to share your concerns and learn more about existing programs that can assist you during this time. Visit the Economic Development Division online here.

-City of Chino Small Business Assistance information can be viewed here. Funds are limited on some of these programs so the sooner you apply, the better chance of qualifying for assistance.

-Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Update Page

-Support Chino restaurants who are providing take-out and delivery options.

County of San Bernardino:

- County of San Bernardino information on the COVID-19 Virus can be found here.

- County orders cancellation of all gatherings, read more here.

State of California:

- State of California information on the COVID-19 Virus can be found here.

- Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Stay at Home Order, read more here. 

-Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order N-37-20 to Establish a State Moratorium on Evictions. Read the Executive Order here.

United States Government:

- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The CARES Act provides economic relief to American workers, families, and businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

The CARES Act includes:
  - $290 billion in direct payments to eligible taxpayers
  - $260 billion in expanded unemployment insurance
  - $150 billion for state and local governments
  - $510 billion in expanded lending for businesses and local governments
  - $377 billion in new loans and grants for small businesses
  - $127 billion for hospitals for ventilators and other equipment

For Small Businesses, the main features are emergency grants and a forgivable loan program for companies with 500 or fewer employees. There are also changes to rules for expenses and deductions meant to make it easier for companies to keep employees on the payroll and stay open in the near-term. C

  - Economic Injury Disaster Loans(EIDL):   A low-interest, fixed rate loan that can provide up to $2 million in assistance for small businesses that can be used to pay immediate expenses during an emergency. The bill provides $10 billion for grants of up to $10,000 to provide emergency funds for small businesses to cover immediate operating costs.

  - The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):  A new $350 billion loan program at SBA for small businesses, self employed, and gig workers to help them from going under due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If employers maintain payroll, the loans would be forgiven.  [See below]

  - Relief for existing loans: There is $17 billion to cover six months of payments for small businesses already using SBA loans.

For details regarding the CARES Act, click here.

Additional resources on CARES Act:
Small Business Owners Guide to the Cares Act
Committee on Small Business' Guide

- For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov. 

- Visit the Center for Disease Control website to ensure you have the most up-to-date information to and sign up for notifications

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA is overseeing the CARES Act programs to assist small businesses. It is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses that have been financially impacted as a direct result of COVID-19 since January 31, 2020.  Qualifying businesses may be eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred.  These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of COVID-19. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for private non-profit organizations. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years, and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at the Disaster Loan Assistance website. 

City of Chino Small Business Assistance information can be viewed here. Funds are limited on some of these programs so the sooner you apply, the better chance of qualifying for assistance.

If you have additional questions or require further assistance, please contact:

Christopher Kennedy
Economic Development Manager
Phone: 909-334-3335
ckennedy@cityofchino.org


Emergency Planning Checklist

Use the CDC Emergency Planning Checklist to make sure your business is ready for potential disruptions.

Resources for Employers

The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) provides many services to employers affected by COVID-19. For the most up-to-date state resources for businesses, visit the GO-BIZ resource page.

***There are alternatives to layoffs that can help employers keep their employees when there is a lack of work, or during financial hardship.***

Telecommuting

Employers may be able to avert layoffs or work reduction by offering flexibility in work location and hours through telecommuting. The U.S. General Services Administration website provides an array of resources to help guide employers in offering and managing telecommuting or remote work. For more information, visit Resources for Managing Teleworkers. 

Partial Claims

Partial claims are for employees whose employers want to keep them but have temporarily laid them off or reduced their hours. A partial Unemployment Insurance claim can be used for any claimant who works less than their normal full-time hours, and whose employers want to keep them. For more information, visit Partial Claim https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/Partial_Claims.htm

Work Sharing Program

Employers can apply for the Work Sharing Program if they are looking for alternatives to layoffs due to reduced production, services, or other conditions. This program helps you keep your trained employees so that when business conditions improve, you can avoid the expense of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees, and save your employees the hardship of becoming fully unemployed. For more information, visit Work Sharing Programs.

Resources for Employees

The CA Employment Development Division provides a variety of support services to employees affected by COVID-19 in California. For the most up-to-date information, visit CA EDD’s Resource Page. 

Have you lost your job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? OnwardCA can help you find resources and jobs to get you back on your feet. Visit OnwardCA for more information.

Reduced Work Hours

If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance Claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own.

If you are working fewer hours because your children’s school is closed and you need to be there for them, you may apply for unemployment insurance. There is no medical certification needed. 

Sick or Quarantined Workers

If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file for a Disability Insurance Claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy.

Caregiving

If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave Claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments.

If you are working fewer hours because your children’s school is closed and you need to be there for them, you may apply for unemployment insurance. There is no medical certification needed. 

Health Care Coverage

Employers are required to maintain health care benefits if you take leave to care for yourself or your dependents under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA). You should consult with your employer or union representative regarding health care coverage during a period of work reduction to see what additional benefits are available to you along with your existing coverage.

For those experiencing job loss, federal law generally requires employers to offer employees and their family’s temporary extension of health care coverage, also known as COBRA. You may consult with your employer regarding COBRA enrollment. Job loss may be a qualifying life event for enrollment in Covered California, which provides health care coverage to California residents at affordable and subsidized rates.

ABC Regulatory Relief

The Alcohol and Beverage Control Board has loosened up its guidelines with regards to purchasing alcohol to go from eating establishments. Please see point number 5 on the ABC Regulatory Relief Page on the ABC website.