December 5, 2020

Dear Business Representatives,

Nationally and locally we continue to see COVID-19 records shattered day after day. In Santa Clara County, ICU capacity has already fallen to 14% with yet another surge of new patients on the horizon following the Thanksgiving and winter holidays. Several efforts have been implemented to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. However, we now are entering another phase of Stay-at Home Orders similar to the lockdown we experienced in the spring. We continue to work with our businesses to answer questions, provide information, and assist in any way we can during this incredibly challenging time to ensure continued recovery.

On December 3, Governor Newsom announced a Regional Stay Home Order, which is triggered when a region’s hospital ICU capacity falls below 15%. Santa Clara County, as part of the broader Bay Area region, was not anticipated to enter this Stay Home Order until mid to late December. 

Today, several Bay Area County health officials announced that they will accelerate the Governor’s plan in light of the quickly diminishing hospital capacity and surging COVID-19 case rates, particularly in Santa Clara County. The Order in Santa Clara County goes into effect this Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 10 pm and will be in effect until January 4, 2021. Bay Area health officials advised against all private gatherings with anyone from a different household. Under the Order, businesses must adhere to the following provisions:

• Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. 

• Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.

• Hotels and lodging: Allow to open for critical infrastructure support only.

• Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up, or delivery.

• Offices: Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible. 

• Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.

• Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor services only.

• Entertainment production including professional sports: Allow operation without live audiences. Additionally, testing protocol and “bubbles” are highly encouraged.

The aforementioned business sectors will have additional modifications aside from 100% masking and physical distancing.

The following sectors are allowed to remain open when a remote option is not possible. Appropriate infectious disease preventative measures including 100% masking and physical distancing are required.

• Critical infrastructure 

• Schools

• Non-urgent medical and dental care

• Child care and pre-K

And, finally the following sectors must close until further notice: 

• Hair salons and barbershops

• Personal care services

• Indoor and outdoor playgrounds

• Indoor recreational facilities

• Museums, zoos, and aquariums

• Movie theaters

• Wineries

• Bars, breweries, and distilleries

• Family entertainment centers

• Cardrooms and satellite wagering

The County of Santa Clara created a business engagement landing page on its COVID-19 website with valuable resources and information. Information can be found here or by calling the new COVID-19 Business Call Center at (408) 961-5500.

If you have any questions or need business assistance during COVID-19, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Economic Development team by sending an email. Assistance is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and other languages. We will continue to send out pertinent updates as they are made available to keep you informed.

Sincerely,

Alex

Economic Development Director

Phone: (408) 586-3046

Email: [email protected]

455 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas CA 95035