Committed to What We CAN Do
Dear Community Members:

Earlier today Governor Newsom outlined some headline news about a regional order which affects business in Riverside County. We are providing a recap of the Governor's announcement in this email (scroll down for the highlights), but (frankly speaking) we don't want to headline the negative.

We are here to share information, resources, and facts. More importantly, we are here to provide you with the tools, resources, and support that enables you to leverage what you can do.

The Good News is that we're closer to the end of this pandemic, than we are to the beginning of it. We're also more knowledgeable than before and we are adapting to new environments, tools, and opportunities that can keep us going. It's been a very long season of challenge and change - we want to see you thriving on the other side of this.

This content below is designed to share the most relevant news affecting business in Riverside County within the next few days, followed by the resources and information to help you work around any barriers.

If at any point you are tired, overwhelmed, confused, or afraid - please call us. As your Chamber of Commerce, we're here for YOU. We'll pick up the phone or respond to your email with resources for your specific circumstance.

Stay Connected. We're here for you.

Emily Falappino
President/CEO
Understanding the Regional Stay at Home Order
What Triggers the Regional Stay at Home Order
The Regional Stay at Home Order announced today is different than previous orders. The State has divided us into "regions". There are five regions through the state. Riverside County is part of the Southern California Region, along with Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

  • Our hospitalization and ICU capacities will be evaluated as a cumulative.

  • If/when we have less than 15% of our combined ICU beds available, it will trigger the Regional Stay at Home Order for all of our Counties.

Once the Regional Stay at Home Order is in effect, it will remain in effect for a minimum of three weeks. After three weeks the State will evaluate forecasts for the region. Once the State determines that the region will have 15%+ availability of ICU beds, the individual counties will resume opening according to the Four Tier Blueprint Plan.
As of Today Southern California remains OPEN & UNAFFECTED
The State Department of Public Health shows Southern California at 20.60% ICU bed availability.

If Southern California has less than <15% capacity, it will trigger the Regional Stay at Home Order.
Travel & Transportation
All non-essential travel is restricted statewide. Individuals are encouraged to stay at home except for exercise, necessary shopping (shop local!), and essential travel.
What This Means for Businesses & What You Can Do When the Regional Order is in Effect
Businesses that will remain open include:
  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Schools that are already open for in-person learning
  • Non-urgent medical and dental care
  • Child Care and Pre-K

Other Specific Industry Guidance:

Indoor & Outdoor Playgrounds
are advised to close, however outdoor physical fitness is encouraged, so however that can be leveraged, we encourage it. Outdoor fitness classes are permissible so consider leveraging that to adapt your business activities

Indoor Recreational Facilities
are advised to close, but outdoor physical fitness classes are encouraged, so consider adapting to outdoor fitness class modeling.

Outdoor Recreational Facilities are allowed to operate without any food, drink, or alcohol. Overnight campground stays are not permitted. However, outdoor trail hikes, fitness activities, and exercising is permitted so consider leveraging these activities to generate income.

Hair Salons and Barber Shops
are advised to close, however retail sales are permissible, so if possible consider offering retail sales, selling gift certificates for services, selling hair-care DIY kits as creative ways to generate income.

Personal Care Services
are advised to close, however retail sales are permissible. Consider retail sales, gift certificate sales, and/or pre-selling appointments for the future.

Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums
are advised to close. Consider partnering with a VR platform to offer virtual or 3D tours. Explore the idea of collaborating with schools, youth camps, and other youth-related businesses to make educational webinars and virtual tours revenue streams.

Movie Theaters
are advised to close.

Wineries, Bars, Breweries, and Distilleries
are advised to close. However, retail and "to-go" sales are permissible. We recommend collaborating to still enable sales of products for consumption of your products off site. Also, critical infrastructure work (e.g. - farming) is permissible.

Family Entertainment Centers
are advised to close. Consider partnering with a VR platform to offer virtual services. Explore the idea of collaborating with schools, youth camps, and other youth-related businesses to offer online activities.

Retail and Shopping Centers
must enforce 100% masking, physical distancing, and keep indoor operations to no more than 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in stores. Special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.

Hotels and Lodging
must enforce 100% masking, physical distancing, and to serve critical infrastructure support only.

Restaurants
must enforce 100% masking, physical distancing, and are able to offer take-out, grab & go, and delivery. On site dining (including outdoors) is not permissible.

Offices
must enforce 100% masking, physical distancing, and should enact remote work for the workforce except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.

Places of Worship and Political Expression
must enforce 100% masking, physical distancing, and are allowed for outdoor services or activities.
Financial Leverage
Cashflow
The State of California is Offering

The Small Business Hiring Tax Credit
A $1,000 tax credit for each new employee hired (up to $100,000 per business). Apply here.

Interest-free Deferral of Sales/Use Tax
Up to $50,000 for businesses with less than $5 million in taxable sales, for up to 3 months (99.6% of businesses qualify!)

PPP Loan Forgiveness Exclusion
Excluding forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans from state gross income

Federal tax credits
to small business for COVID-19 employee paid leave. Learn more here.

Federal Opportunities

Employee Retention Tax Credit
A 50% tax credit for the first $10,000 of compensation for each eligible employee. Learn more here.

100% Reimbursement Program
For Paid Family and Medical Leave Programs for employees affected by the CoronaVirus. Learn more here.

SBA Debt Relief
For businesses that have an existing SBA Loan, the SBA will pay for 6 months of principal, interest and fees. Learn more here.

Employer Tax Credits
Determine what credits you qualify for using this reference guide.
Low Interest Loans
The State of California is Offering

The California Rebuilding Fund
is a public-private partnership offering special support to small businesses. Be the first to apply and learn more here.

The Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
IBank's loan guarantee program to assist small businesses with capital access barriers. Learn more here.

Federal Opportunities

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
The US Small Business Administration continues to offer EIDL loans at 3.75% interest. Apply here.

Other Opportunities

Altura Credit Union Emergency Loan
Borrow up to $1,000 at 4.99% with no payments for 90-days. Learn more here.

Riverside County's Office of Economic Development
Offers a listing of additional financial resources here.

Grant Opportunities
The State of California is Offering

Emergency Relief Package (up to $25,000 grants for small businesses)
In January the State of California will work to finalize the Emergency Relief Package including $25,000 grant opportunities for small businesses and non-profits.
Resources for Your Workforce
Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce | temecula.org