*** Update As of 3/26/20 ***

The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce is making personal phone calls to all of our member businesses to check in on how COVID-19 is affecting your business. Many of our member businesses are facing dynamic challenges. When these challenges are met with a rapid pace of change and uncertainty – more of our members are expressing a need for help, resources, and connection. So, I called (and am emailing now) to do just that.

Please give me a call or email back with any questions or support you might need. Also, we’d like to update the information we have for your business (so we can get relevant information to the right people at your business). If you have any HR, Sales, or Operations Managers whose contact information you can share, we’ll keep them informed of relevant resources for their part of the business.

Lastly, Please feel free to visit TVCC’s COVID-19 Information & Resources page. It has an extraordinary amount of information and resources for residents, employers, & employees. We also feature current feed from the Healthcare and Governmental influencers and decision makers over our community.

TVCC is here for you. Please reach them any time for support or assistance. Thank you!

*** Update As of 3/25/20 ***

As Inland Empire residents continue to feel the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis, I wanted to share some helpful resources for employees and business owners.

Information For Workers

There are options to help working people who have lost their jobs or seen reduced wages or hours as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. These options include Disability Benefits, Paid Family Leave Benefits, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits. Information on California’s options for filing for any coronavirus-related unemployment, leave, or disability benefits can be found here.

Unemployment Insurance Information

Recently, Congress passed legislation to enhance states’ unemployment insurance programs and to alter requirements to help workers affected by closures or lay-offs as a result of the coronavirus crisis.If you are temporarily out of work and plan to return to the same employer, you do not need to meet the usual requirement of looking for work while you are collecting UI benefits.

If you are self-employed or an independent contractor and are unable to work as a result of the spread of coronavirus, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance.

You may also be eligible to file a claim if your employer has reduced your hours or suspended operations due to coronavirus. To estimate your weekly benefit amount, use California’s Unemployment Insurance Benefit Calculator. To learn more about Unemployment Insurance or file a claim, click here.

Disability Insurance Information

If you are sick with COVID-19 or are in a medically-advised quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19, and you have the necessary supporting medical documentation, you are eligible to file a claim for Disability Insurance. This benefit will help provide temporary income assistance to those who are eligible. Learn more here.

Paid Family Leave Information

If you have to care for a family member who is sick or quarantined as a result of COVID-19 and are unable to work, you may be eligible for paid family leave benefits. You may also qualify if your normal means of childcare have been disrupted due to COVID-19. Benefits amounts are approximately 60-70% of wages depending on income. Learn more about paid family leave benefits here. 

Information for Employers and Business Owners

What if I have to cut wages or hours for my employees?

The Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program can help business owners avoid potential layoffs. The program allows employers to retain employees and offset wage reduction with unemployment insurance benefits. To qualify, hours and wages must be reduced by no more than 60%. More information on the program is available here.

What happens to employees who are temporarily laid off?

Employees can file for unemployment benefits as long as they are unemployed and otherwise eligible. Workers who expect to return to their jobs are not required to actively seek work during the time they’re unemployed. Contact the Employment Development Department to learn more.

Is tax relief available for my business?

The Governor’s office recently issued guidance stating California business owners may request an extension of up to 60 days to file payroll taxes. To learn more about requesting this extension, click here.

The IRS has also delayed the federal tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15, 2020.

How do I protect my employees and customers?

On March 21, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order stating that all non-essential businesses should be closed at this time. You can find a list of businesses considered essential here.

If your business is staying open, the State of California has updated guidance on keeping employees and customers safe here.

 

*** Update As of 3/20/20 ***

Drive-up COVID-19 testing in western Riverside County to open on Saturday by appointment only

Riverside County health officials are encouraging western Riverside County residents who have symptoms and are concerned they could have coronavirus (COVID-19) to get tested at a drive-up facility set up at the Diamond Stadium in Lake Elsinore. Testing will begin Saturday (March 21) and run through Sunday (March 22) by appointment only.

Those who want to get tested must have symptoms and must call 800-945-6171 to schedule an appointment before showing up at Diamond Stadium. Call wait times may vary. Drive-ups without appointments cannot be accommodated. Some of the symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose or congestion. Those who have a risk of exposure may also be tested, which means exposure to a confirmed case or have
traveled to an affected area. “Just as we demonstrated during the Holy Fire, the Holy Floods and the Super Bloom now is the time to take this situation seriously and to unite and support one another to overcome this
latest crisis,” Lake Elsinore Mayor Brian Tisdale said. “This is going to take extreme measures,  and it is our turn to step in and offer our support to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach to best serve and protect all of Riverside County.” Testing starts at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. by appointment only. The address is 500 Diamond Drive in Lake Elsinore. Testing will be set up in parking lot C.
Lake Elsinore City Manager declared a public emergency on Tuesday (March 17) and the proclamation will be ratified by the city council at its next meeting (March 24).
Read more about the city’s efforts to address COVID-19 at www.lake-elsinore.org/coronavirus.

 

*** Update As of 3/18/2020 ***

As you’ve likely heard, there are now multiple cases of COVID-19 confirmed in San Bernardino County. While we must continue to be cautious and use social-distancing to prevent the spread of the virus, there is still no need to panic. In this message, you’ll find helpful guidance and a list of resources available to those in our community who have been affected by this crisis.

Keeping Your Family Safe

Right now, the best thing we can do to contain the spread of this virus is practice social-distancing. This means avoiding any large crowds, minimizing contact with others and staying away from public spaces. By doing this, we can limit the number of new cases, allowing our health care system to treat those who need care most urgently.

If you have non-medical questions about COVID-19, its effects in our community or resources available, I encourage you to call the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health’s coronavirus hotline at (909) 387-3911 or email coronavirus@dph.sbcounty.gov.

Further guidance on how to best care for yourself and your loved ones, including what to do if you feel sick, can be found here:

• San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Coronavirus Information
• Updates from the California Department of Public Health
• Latest Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control

Meal Services for Students

While schools in our region remain closed, many school districts are still offering meal services for the students. Information on each district’s meal services is available at the following links:

• San Bernardino Unified School District
• Colton Joint Unified School District
• Fontana Unified School District
• Redlands Unified School District
• Rialto Unified School District
• Cucamonga School District
• Alta Loma School District
• Chaffey Joint Union High School District
• Central School District
• Upland Unified School District
• Riverside County Office of Education

Resources for Small Businesses

I understand that the restrictions on public gatherings and dining out are hurting small business owners and families throughout San Bernardino County. If you or someone you know owns a small business that’s been affected by closures as a result of coronavirus, resources are available. The Small Business Administration is now offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans to businesses in need of assistance. Click here to learn more.

Resources for Veterans

To help limit the spread of COVID-19 throughout our veterans’ health system, veterans feeling symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever should call the Loma Linda VA at (909) 825-7084 ext. 5085 prior to visiting a medical center. More information for veterans can be found here.

Continued Federal Efforts

As you may know, the House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act late last week. The bill establishes two weeks of paid sick leave, up to three months of paid family and medical leave, and enhances unemployment insurance for American workers. It also increases funds for food security programs such as SNAP, and makes all coronavirus tests free to patients. The bill is currently pending before the Senate. Please know that I will continue to do all  I can to ensure our community has the resources we need to face this crisis head on.

As this situation continues to evolve, I urge you to take the necessary precautions to keep you and your family healthy. Remember, we’re all in this together, and will come out the other side stronger than ever.

 

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Coronavirus Readiness

Efforts to contain the spread of this virus are ongoing, but each of us can do our part to help educate our community and prevent the spread of infectious diseases like Coronavirus. Below are some steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and California Department of Public Health to help keep you and your family safe.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after spending time in public spaces or interacting with others. 
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• You do not need a mask unless you are symptomatic.
• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

Stay Informed

So far, there have not been any confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the Inland Empire. While it is important to take precautions to keep yourself healthy, there is no need to panic. The majority of Coronavirus cases are mild with symptoms similar to the common cold. Should you begin to feel unwell, call your primary care provider right away.

One of the most important steps you can take to help combat the spread of this virus is to help combat the spread of misinformation. Be aware of false or misleading information on social media, and rely on trusted sources such as the CDC.

Video: What to Know About Novel Coronavirus