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Information and Resources for Mountain View Businesses

Page last updated  3/30/2020 at  6:12:28 PM

Click here for State Resources for Workers and Employers

On March 17, 2020, the Santa Clara County was put under a Shelter-in-Place Order, requiring residents to limit travel outside of the home except for "essential goods and services" and exercise (so long as social distancing is practiced). We know that this has a big impact on your business, and we want to provide as many resources as we can to help you through this challenging time.

For new information regarding COVID at MountainView.gov/COVID and to subscribe to a daily email on short updates about COVID called "The Briefing," you can text MVCOVID to 22828 or complete this online form: MountainView.gov/COVIDBrief . 

LATEST NEWS

  • (Monday, March 30, 2020) Later this week, we will be launching our #TogetherMV Fund as part of our #TogetherMV community relief effort. The #TogetherMV Fund is a partnership between the City of Mountain View and Los Altos Community Foundation to raise and distribute donations to Mountain View community members who have been economically burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes families that have lost wages from reduced work hours and layoffs, small businesses that have been unable to remain open, seniors in need, and our unstably housed neighbors who face heightened health risks from community spread of COVID-19. The #TogetherMV Fund will support rent relief programs, small business assistance, help for seniors and enhanced services to our unstably housed neighbors. More information will be posted here when it is available. Applications are NOT YET being received for this fund.
  • (Thursday, May 19, 2020) The U.S. Small Business Association now has their  Disaster assistance loans  portal open for financial assistance and is taking applications. (Please note that due to high volume, the page may load slowly.)
    Direct link to the Disaster Loan Assistance Information and Fact Sheets (in English and Spanish) 

Useful Links

County and State Resources:  Below are links to businesses to help employers and employees address impacts associated with COVID-19.

  • Santa Clara County Health Department: “Essential Business” information under Frequently Asked Questions  including a full list
  • State of California Employment Development Department: Support services for employers and employees
  • State of California Labor & Workforce Development Agency: Information on worker benefits
  • Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development:  Additional resources for businesses

Federal Resources: Additional information and guidance.

  • Center for Disease Control: Information for businesses on COVID-19-related information including cleaning and disinfecting.
  • COVID FAQs for MV BUSINESSES
    • What business are considered "essential" and can remain open?

      The MV Chamber is keeping a list of local Mountain View essential businesses that are still open. You can find that list here: http://chambermv.org/services-open-during-shelter-in-place 

      If you are a business and need to be added to the list, please contact the Chamber directly.

      According to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) Order, "essential businesses" include things like grocery stores, pharmacy, gas stations, hardware stores, and laundry services. 

      The full language from the SCPHD is as follows: 

      For the purposes of this Order, "Essential Businesses" means:

      • Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
      • Grocery stores, certified farmers' markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
      • Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
      • Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
      • Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
      • Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
      • Banks and related financial institutions;
      • Hardware stores;
      • Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
      • Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
      • Educational institutions-including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities-for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;
      • Laundromats, drycleaners, and laundry service providers;
      • Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out.
      • Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
      • Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
      • Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
      • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;
      • Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;
      • Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
      • Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
      • Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
      • Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions:
        1. Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer ("stable" means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
        2. Children shall not change from one group to another.
        3. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate Groups shall not mix with each other.
        4. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.
    • If my essential business is still open, how can I let people know?

      The MV Chamber is keeping a list of local Mountain View essential businesses that are still open. You can find that list here: http://chambermv.org/services-open-during-shelter-in-place

      If you are a business and need to be added to the list, please contact the Chamber directly using the link above.

      Please consider indicating if you are To-Go or Pick-Up only and if people need to call ahead.

    • Where can I get financial help if my business has been impacted by the COVID pandemic?

      The Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury loan program in Santa Clara County has gone live and can provide businesses and non-profits with relief from COVID-19 impacts. The application portal is now open and can be found through the SBA COVID-19 webpage.

      Businessownerspace.com partners SBDC, AnewAmerica, MBDA, and SCORE are available to help prepare loan paperwork. 

      • Loan interest rates are 3.75% and payments can be made over 15 years to a maximum of 30 years based on cash flow.

      • There is an initial 5-month grace period on interest and principal payments.

      • The loan program is open to businesses from single person, sole proprietorships, to larger companies up to the 500 employee limits set by the SBA.

      • Non-profits can also apply. Their interest rate is 2.75% but other factors are the same as small business loans. 

      • Loans under $25,000 require no collateral.

      • Loans can be up to a maximum of $2 million though collateral will be needed.

      • All borrowers must apply on-line.  

      • Translation is available in many languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Cantonese.

    • If my business is not listed as an "essential business" do I have to shut down? (March 23)

      per Santa Clara County

      What if my business is not considered an Essential Business?  Does this Order require that I shut down my business facility?

      You and your employees are allowed to perform “Minimum Basic Operations” at your work place, so long as employees maintain a distance of six feet from one another to the greatest extent feasible.  Minimum Basic Operations include maintaining the value of inventory, ensuring security, and ensuring that employees can work remotely.  Other than to maintain “Minimum Basic Operations,” employees can only work remotely from their residences.

    • My company manufactures food that is supplied to grocery stores and restaurants. Am I considered an "essential business?"

      YES. (per Santa Clara County)

       All suppliers of essential businesses are allowed (and encouraged) to continue operating.  This includes businesses that supply food goods and prepared meals to grocery stores and other food retailers.

    • My company provides landscaping services. Can I still operate during the County Order? (March 23)

      (per Santa Clara County)

      Can landscaping services continue? 

      Landscaping services may continue only if they are necessary to protect the safety, sanitation, or operation of essential businesses, such as weed abatement and other fire prevention, tree trimming to prevent a dangerous condition, or clearance of irrigation infrastructure.  Landscaping for cosmetic purposes may not continue.  Landscapers performing services under contract with governmental agencies should consult the relevant agency to determine whether their services are deemed essential. 

    • What if I have a cafeteria at my worksite. Can it continue to operate to serve workers who are carrying out work exempted in the Order?

      (Per Santa Clara County)

      The Cafeteria can operate like other food facilities.  It can serve food to the remaining employees, so long as the employees take the food away and do not eat it in the cafeteria.  The cafeteria should follow the social distancing requirements in the Order. 

    • Can bike repair shops continue to operate?

      (per Santa Clara County)

      Yes, bike repair shops are treated as an essential business (the same as auto repair shops) because they are necessary to facilitate essential travel.

    • Can my company continue to provide janitorial services?

      Yes, janitorial services are allowed as necessary to health and sanitation.

    • Can nonprofit and charitable organizations continue to operate?

      If they provide essential services as described in the Order, then yes they can and should continue providing those services.  This would include non-profits operating food pantries, providing housing for homeless residents, and providing other critical services.

      Service Providers carry out services or work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements to the extent possible.

    • I operate a food facility. What procedure should I take to keep my patrons and employees safe?

      (per Santa Clara County)

      Follow the best practices for allowable food facility operations included in the Department of Environmental Health’s “COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Measures for Food Facilities”: 

      Notices to Food Facilities [PDF]

      Read the Department of Environmental Health’s Letter advising on the effects of the Order on food facilities: 

      Letter to Food Facilities [PDF]

      Visit the Department of Environment Health>Novel Coronavirus>Informational Links for COVID-19 for the latest practices.

      Consult the Public Health Department’s website for additional up to date information.

    • Is the City keeping a list of restaurants that are still operating during the shelter-in-place order?

      The Mountain View Chamber of Commerce has been compiling a list of restaurants that are still open. The restaurants are mostly operating on a To-Go or delivery only capacity. 

      The list curated by the MV Chamber is available here: http://www.chambermv.org/restaurants-offering-takeout/delivery

      Please contact them directly if you need to be added to the list.

    • Can I get my restaurant listed as one that is still operating during the County Order?

      The Mountain View Chamber of Commerce has been compiling a list of restaurants that are still open. The restaurants are mostly operating on a To-Go or delivery only capacity. 

      The list curated by the MV Chamber is available here: http://www.chambermv.org/restaurants-offering-takeout/delivery

      Please contact them directly if you need to be added to the list.

    • Will permitting or inspections still happen while the County Order is in place? (as of March 19, 2020)

      CITY Construction and permit projects:

      • Suspending all but two construction projects

      • Shoreline Sewage Pump Station - wet well is at a critical point structurally and must complete some work before we can suspend the project – end of this week AND Leong Water and Sewer Main Replacement project.
      • For the Excavation Permits in active construction – all permittees have been told to suspend work and we are not issuing new permits except for emergency projects.  Our PW inspectors will inspect any projects that are for emergency work (e.g., utility repairs/services) and for any building permits that include right-of-way work that are deemed a priority by CDD (e.g., affordable housing projects).

      PRIVATE Construction Projects:

      1.       Inspections - At this time, we are allowing inspections of health facilities and affordable housing projects. 

      2.       Building permit applications - We are not currently taking in application and re-submittals of applications (except for affordable housing projects) but we are working on them remotely (staff picking them up once a week for processing at home since we don’t have paperless permitting)

      3.       Planning applications – We are not taking in new applications or re-submittals. We are working remotely on processing current applications (staff picking up as needed from City Hall).

    • What happens if I see a business that is violating the shelter-in-place directive?

      First and foremost, the amount of vehicles you see in one place may not indicate any violations at all. Please, again, see the County FAQ page about what businesses qualify as “essential.”

      If you believe there is a large group of people gathered who aren’t practicing social distancing, call 650-903-6344.

    • Are there resources for employees who may need a little extra help?

      Yes! Our Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) are working hard to make sure that our community is being taken care of during this time of crisis. Some of our local EAN members include:

      • Community Services Agency (CSA): CSACares.org or (650) 968-0836 located at 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View
      • Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing: www.sccgov.org/sites/osh, Call (408) 793-0550 or text 888777 for text messages about services.
      • Second Harvest Foodbank: www.shfb.org
      • Santa Clara County Hotlines: Call 2-1-1 for Health and Human Services in Santa Clara County.

      All Social Security Offices have been order to close as of March 17 for in-person services, but online services are still available at: https://socialsecurityofficenear.me/coronavirus-covid19/

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