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This is the ninth COVID-19 update from San Jose Downtown Association. They are sent on Thursdays.
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Dear Members and Downtown Stakeholders:

Today's message is focused on the new shelter-in-place orders so you have all the information you need in one place. Our team is looking ahead at what downtown recovery might look like and we are advocating on behalf of our businesses. We continue to talk with business owners, managers, property owners and stakeholders to understand what you need and where we can best help.

Let's keep the conversations going! Please let SJDA staff know how we can best support you. 

We are in this together. 
New Shelter-in-Place Order - What Changed This Week
Your customers must wear masks: A new shelter-in-place became effective Monday, May 4. The biggest change for businesses that are open is that your customers are required to wear masks if they enter your business.  The Public Health official recommends that masks be worn outside all of the time, but that is not a requirement.

Two resources from Santa Clara County cover most of the questions you might have.

This Learn What to Do page spells out what to do if you think you are sick; recreational activities now allowed and how to enjoy them and stay safe; and guidance for retail and grocery stores, workers, and small and large construction projects.

Frequently Asked Questions has sections on shelter-in-place; daily activities; businesses; construction; travel and recreation.

Airport and VTA Requires Face Coverings, too: The revised health order requires that everyone on public transit and at the airport wear face coverings. While on board or traversing the airport corridors, social-distancing protocol must also be adhered to the extent possible. The “No Mask, No Ride” policy is posted on Valley Transportation Authority’s blog. Airport info here.

Single-Use Carry Out Bag Ordinance Temporarily Lifted: The City of San Jose has suspended Single-Use Carry Out Bag Ordinance until June 21, meaning retailers do not need to charge a minimum of 10 cents for bags at check out. This suspension aligns with Santa Clara County health orders that prohibit customers from bringing in their own bags to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the state’s April 22 order suspending a statewide single-use bag ban for 60 days. The goal, of course, is to make it possible for customers to have access to a bag that allows them to easily transport their groceries home.

Help Finding Childcare for Essential Workers: Visit MyChildCare.ca.gov, enter your  address and find local options for licensed childcare providers that are currently open, including their location, health and safety details, ages of children served, capacity, and hours of care. Since the start of the pandemic, $450 million of state and federal dollars have been provided to increase the number of subsidized childcare slots to accommodate the children of essential workers and to cover the cost of gloves, face coverings and cleaning supplies for providers.

New Guidance on Coronavirus Testing: The County has launched a new online resource for testing information and access at sccgov.org/cv19testing. The page includes information about locations where members of the public can be tested. The County Public Health Department recently released important new guidance for local healthcare providers, recommending providers offer testing to anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 as well as certain asymptomatic, high-risk groups.
Financial Relief
SV Creates Arts Relief & Recovery Fund: SV Creates has established the Arts Relief & Recovery fund of emergency support for local arts organizations and artists. SV Creates now services virtual music concerts, theatre, dance and visual arts programs. Seed funding is provided by the Castellano Family Foundation and a matching donation from the Morgan Family Foundation.  Santa Clara County has pledged to match public donations up to $650,000. The $2 million to $3 million raised will go to more than 150 artists and 100 small and mid-size arts organizations in SV Creates’ portfolio. Donations here: the Arts Relief & Recovery fund.

LISC’s Rapid Relief & Recovery Fund: LISC's program will take applications for its second round of Small Business Relief grants starting May 14. LISC supports small businesses and enterprises affected by the COVID-19 across the country, especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital. Register to receive program emails.
Restaurant Exposure
Set up a free business page on Nextdoor: Restaurants can create or expand online presence on Nextdoor by setting up a business page.  With in-person business made difficult by shelter-in-place, Nextdoor now has three new fields for restaurants:  
  1. Add a gift card url (there’s even a link to Square to set one up)
  2. Boxes to check off carry-out or delivery options
  3. Fundraising links if you are on GoFundMe or another funding platform for yourself or employees
Keeping our streets in good shape
  • Use the Groundwerx Everywhere App or call 408-287-1520 to report a mess on the sidewalks that needs immediate attention. Download the Groundwerx Everywhere App for iPhones and Android.
  • Use the San Jose 311 app, to report streetlight outages, graffiti, and potholes.
  • For fallen trees or branches, call the tree emergency hotline at: (408) 497-4062. Please have a nearest address available to share with the operator.
Let us know how else we can help by replying to this email. We’ll have another message next Thursday. We're in this together.
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