In the COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery, Moving Beyond the Blueprint

Governor Newsom Outlines the State’s Next Step

California has administered 20 million vaccines, including 4 million to the hardest hit communities

State aims to fully reopen on June 15, will continue to require masking and encourage all Californians to get vaccinated

SACRAMENTO – As California surpasses a major milestone in the fight against COVID — administering more than 20 million vaccine doses, including 4 million in the state’s hardest-hit communities, and with hospitalizations continuing to steadily decline — Governor Gavin Newsom today outlined the state’s next step in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met:

· If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and

· If hospitalization rates are stable and low

Everyday activities will be allowed, and businesses can open with common-sense risk reduction measures, including encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated and mandating masking, to prevent illness and promote health. The state will continue contact tracing and testing to detect cases early and contain spread of the virus. The entire state will move into this new phase as a whole. The state will monitor hospitalization rates, vaccine access and vaccine efficacy against variants, with the option to revisit the June 15 date if needed.

“With more than 20 million vaccines administered across the state, it is time to turn the page on our tier system and begin looking to fully reopen California’s economy,” said Governor Newsom. “We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic. We will need to remain vigilant and continue the practices that got us here – wearing masks and getting vaccinated – but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.”

“California has made incredible progress controlling the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, masking, and getting vaccines out quickly to Californians in every corner of the state, including in those communities hardest hit by this pandemic,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “In order to take the next step, we must continue to do our part to keep this momentum moving in the right direction, and that means continuing to wear a mask and ensuring everyone who is eligible gets the vaccine.”

When California fully reopens the economy, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy will end. However, common-sense health measures such as masking will remain across the state. Testing or vaccination verification requirements will remain in relevant settings.

For more information on the state’s move beyond the Blueprint, click here.

All sectors listed in the current Blueprint for a Safer Economy grid may return to usual operations in compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements and with common-sense public health policies in place, such as required masking, testing and with vaccinations encouraged. Large-scale indoor events, such as conventions, will be allowed to occur with testing or vaccination verification requirements.

In partnership with the Legislature, California will provide $500 million in new COVID-19 Relief Grant funding for small businesses.

Additional $12.5 million added to the California Rebuilding Fund launched last week

COVID-19 POSTER

COVID-19 BUSINESS POSTER NOW AVAILABLE!

The Madera County Public Health Department has created a poster for businesses to post at their entrances that will help them to safely operate during COVID-19. This poster is also a tool for businesses and their customers to easily understand how to conduct business and follow the State and County orders.

Posters can be printed directly from the Madera County Public Health Department website: maderacounty.com.

If you are unable to print your poster, the Madera Chamber of Commerce has colored 11 x 17.5 posters available in both English and Spanish. Please call the chamber office (559) 673-3563 to schedule your poster pick up.

SBA Disaster Assistance The U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. To learn more about the SBA Disaster Assistance Program, Click Here!

Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus

Workplace safety and health regulations in California require employers to protect workers exposed to airborne infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. Cal/OSHA has posted guidance to help employers comply with these safety requirements and to provide workers information on how to protect themselves.

Cal/OSHA’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standard (section 5199) requires protection for employees working at health care facilities, and other services and operations, including:

Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, medical offices, outpatient medical facilities, home health care, long-term health care facilities, hospices, medical outreach services, medical transport and emergency medical services
Certain laboratories, public health services and police services that are reasonably anticipated to expose employees to an aerosol transmissible disease.
Correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and drug treatment programs
Any other locations when Cal/OSHA informs employers in writing that they must comply with the ATD Standard

To protect workers and prevent exposure to the virus, employers must develop and maintain the required programs and plans for their facility or operation. Cal/OSHA recommends the interim guidance, educational materials and model programs and plans below be reviewed with an employer’s existing procedures to ensure that workers are protected.

For more Cal/OSHA information, please Click Here

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Plan, Prepare & Respond to Coronavirus Disease

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.

CDC is working across the Department of Health and Human Services and across the U.S. government in the public health response to COVID-19. Much is unknown about how the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses.

Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 To read more about the updated interim guidance, Click Here!

Additional Help for Employers… Alternative to Employee Layoffs

EDD Work Sharing Program
Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs. The Work Sharing Program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced: Receive UI benefits. Keep their current job. Avoid financial hardships. The Work Sharing Program helps employers: Minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs. Keep trained employees and quickly prepare when business conditions improve. Avoid the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees. Requirements To participate, employers must meet all of the following requirements: Be a legally registered business in California. Have an active California State Employer Account Number.At least 10 percent of the employer’s regular workforce or a unit of the workforce, and a minimum of two employees, must be affected by a reduction in hours and wages.Hours and wages must be reduced by at least 10 percent and not exceed 60 percent.Health benefits must remain the same as before, or they must meet the same standards as other employees who are not participating in Work Sharing.Retirement benefits must meet the same terms and conditions as before, or they must meet the same as other employees not participating in Work Sharing.The collective bargaining agent of employees in a bargaining unit must agree to voluntarily participate and sign the application for Work Sharing.Identify the affected work units to be covered by the Work Sharing plan and identify each participating employee by their full name and Social Security number.Notify employees in advance of the intent to participate in the Work Sharing program.Identify how many layoffs will be avoided by participating in the Work Sharing program.Provide the EDD with any necessary reports or documents relating to the Work Sharing plan. Restrictions Leased, intermittent, seasonal, or temporary service employees cannot participate in the Work Sharing Program.Corporate officers or major stock holders with investment in the company cannot participate in the Work Sharing Program.The Work Sharing Program cannot be used as a transition to a layoff.

Click Here to go to the EDD Work Sharing Site

The SBDC Can Help Your Business Prepare and Recover

At the OCIE SBDC your business is top of mind for us. As concerns continue about coronavirus (COVID-19) we want to assure you that we’re here to help you navigate available resources, answer your business questions and be a trusted partner for your business. Despite the impact of COVID-19, rest assured the SBDC is here to help and we value the privilege to be of service. Check out the resources, please Click Here! or for information contact 1-800-616-7232 for help now.

CALIFORNIA SBDC GUIDE ON COVID-19 FOR BUSINESSES

New Madera Business Now Open – Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, the nation’s industry-leading travel stop network, is now serving customers in Madera, California.

“We’re excited to add another location on the West Coast and our 12th location in California,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s. “Professional and four-wheel drivers now have another safe, clean and well-maintained stop in this vital corridor to help get them back on the road quickly.”

The Madera store, located off Highway 99, adds 94 jobs and 95 truck and 57 car parking spaces to Madera County.

In honor of the grand opening, Love’s and the Madera Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Crowd for Ribbon Cutting
Love’s Manager and Chamber Board Certificate Presentation
Love’s Ribbon Cutting

The location is open 24/7 and offer many amenities, including:

More than 8,500 square feet.
Chester’s Chicken, Godfather’s Pizza and Arby’s.
Ninety-five truck parking spaces.
Fifty-seven car parking spaces.
Four RV parking spaces.
Nine diesel bays.
Seven showers.
Laundry facilities.
On-site Speedco.
Bean to cup gourmet coffee.
Brand-name snacks.
Fresh Kitchen concept.
Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics.
CAT scale.
Dog park.

Stay connected to Love’s operations by following the company on Facebook and Instagram.