Updated Guidance on Mask Wearing, Mega Events & Updated Guidance
for Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to Help Small Businesses
City of Milpitas - Office of Economic Development | December 14, 2021
Indoor Masking Required and Negative Test Required
for Indoor Mega Events, Effective December 15, 2021
The California Department of Public Health issued an updated guidance requiring masks to be worn indoors statewide, regardless of vaccination status, beginning December 15, 2021, through at least January 15, 2022. Masks serve as an additional measure of protection as we see more cases of the new Omicron variant in our communities. Full details of this updated guidance can be found here. Santa Clara County is already in alignment with the updated State guideline, since Santa Clara County's most recent Public Health Order already requires face coverings to be worn indoors at all times regardless of vaccination status. In addition to the mask requirement, individuals attending indoor Mega Events (defined as crowds greater than 1,000 indoors) who are not fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative test prior to entering. The test must have been taken within one day for antigen tests and within two days for PCR tests. This updated guidance takes affect December 15, 2021, as well. Vaccines remain an important tool in fighting serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Click here to see where you can get vaccinated or get your booster shot.
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Updates
The deadline to apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Targeted EIDL Advance, and Supplemental Targeted Advance is December 31, 2021. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program helps small business recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by providing borrower-friendly capital for expenses including payroll, rent/mortgage, and utilities. On September 8, 2021, updates were made to the program to further help small business applicants, including:
  • Maximum loan cap increase from $500,000 to $2 million
  • Funds can be used to pay federal debt as well as business non-federal debt incurred at any time
  • Deferment period extended to 24 months
  • More flexible eligibility requirement to meet program size standards for businesses

Click here for more details on the updated guidance for applicants. Please note that the deadline to apply is December 31, 2021. Full details about the loan, application process, eligibility requirements, and required paperwork can be found on the Small Business Administration (SBA) webpage. The SBA office will host virtual office hours on December 15, 2021, between 12-1pm to provide information about the EIDL program which you can access here.
If you have any questions or need business assistance, please visit our website. Additionally, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Economic Development team by sending us an email. Assistance is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and other languages. The pandemic has created hardship for Milpitas families and businesses alike. Please know that we stand with you as you navigate your way out of the pandemic. We are here to help you!

In community spirit,
Alex Andrade
Director of Economic Development
(408) 586-3046
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