REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Report and Possible Action on City Small Business Relief Program in Response to COVID-19 and Related Budget Amendment
Report
BACKGROUND
In response to the growing COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and specifically in Santa Clara County, on March 16, 2020, the Health Officer of the County of Santa Clara directed all individuals living in the County to shelter at their place of residence except to provide or receive essential services, effective March 17, 2020. The Health Officer further directed that all business and governmental agencies cease non-essential operations at physical locations in the County.
On March 17, 2020, the Council ratified the City Manager's March 11, 2020 proclamation of a local emergency.
On March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 directing all residents to immediately heed current State public health directives to stay home, except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of essential critical infrastructure sectors and additional sectors as the State Public Health Officer may designate as critical to protect health and well-being of all Californians. This directive, as well as the previous "shelter-in-place" mandate for six Bay Area counties, including Santa Clara County, requires individuals to remain in their homes and for non-essential businesses to close or require staff to work from home. Order N-33-20 does not have an end date and therefore is in place until further notice.
As of the writing of this report, the current condition is rapidly changing both by way of the spread of COVID-19 and new regulations required for Santa Clarans to implement. Staff will provide a verbal update at the City Council meeting on any changes that may impact policy decision-making on this topic.
DISCUSSION
There have been and will continue to be incredible impacts as a result of the recent directives from all levels of government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, especially...
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