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COVID-19 Business Resources

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1. Is my business allowed to remain open? Is my business considered "essential"?

Yolo County issued a county-wide Public Health Order directing residents to shelter in place through May 1, 2020. The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs to slow the spread of covel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

2. What will happen if a “non-essential business” stays open?

Businesses not designated “essential” may maintain Minimum Basic Operations while practicing social distancing to maintain inventory, security, payroll and employee benefits and activities that allow employees to work remotely. Businesses are required to comply with the Public Health Order and violations may result in penalties.

Effective March 27, 2020, Yolo County is allowing non-essential businesses to process online and phone orders for home deliveries while physical locations must remain closed to the public.

3. Where can I find the publicly available database webpage of Woodland restaurants, cafes, breweries, and wineries offering curbside and home delivery – and how can I be included in this database?

To facilitate safe food access for our community while supporting our Woodland restaurants, cafes, breweries and wineries during shelter-in-place, a webpage of Woodland food businesses open for curbside and home delivery can be found here: https://bit.ly/2y2nyiA. Click on one of the listed businesses or type in a restaurant’s name in the search bar. If they appear, they are open. You can place your order at the number provided.

To be included within this database, please email Stephanie Burgos: stephanie.burgos@cityofwoodland.org.

4. What if I am unable to pay my rent during the closure?

The City of Woodland has a temporary moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent for both residential and commercial tenants affected by COVID-19, until May 30, 2020. A copy of the full ordinance can be found at: https://woodlandca.civicclerk.com/Web/GenFile.aspx?ad=2927

5. Will my utilities be shut off if I can’t pay my bill?

The City has suspended late charges for bills due during the emergency period, until 30 days after City Hall resumes normal business hours.

Water Bills: Water bills can be paid online by visiting www.cityofwoodland.org/paymybill. Water bills can also be paid by calling (530) 661-5831, Option 1. Water will not be shut off for non-payment during this time.

PG&E has voluntarily implemented a moratorium on service disconnection for non-payment for both residential and commercial customers.

6. How will the City help me protect my store or property if needed?

The City of Woodland Police Department is maintaining full operations. Please call Police Non-Emergency Dispatch 530-666-6612. For emergencies and crimes in progress, call 911.

7. What resources are available if I have to lay off workers, if I lose my job or if I need to close my business?

Both local, state and new federal Stimulus programs are available to retain and re-hire employees that have been laid off. These include the Paycheck Protection Program and the Emergency Economic Injury Grant in the CARES Act. Visit the guide for the Capitol Region here: www.capitalregionsbdc.com

Contact the YoloWorks Career Center. YoloWorks offers affected workers information and resources on how to file for unemployment insurance, how to set up a CalJobs Account, how to get re-employed as soon as possible and provide additional resources that are available within the county: yoloworks@yolocounty.org or call 530.661.2641

The state Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies and organizations, and has instituted special programs in response to COVID-19. Visit EDD website.

To apply for disability, unemployment, paid family leave or sick leave, visit: www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019

Further, companies such as Safeway, Raley’s, Walmart, and Amazon have announced the need for large numbers of new employees amid the COVID-19 outbreak. We encourage you to search for jobs directly at those company’s and others hiring websites.

8. What should I be doing to protect my employees from COVID-19?

Discontinuing non-essential operations. Work remotely wherever possible. Implement the social distancing required by the Yolo County Health Order. Review the most current information from the State of California: https://covid19.ca.gov and the CDC guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Homes and Workplaces: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html & the factsheet here: www.cdc.gov

9. I operate a food service facility - what practices should I follow to keep my patrons safe?

Visit the CA Department of Public Health for Retail Food and Beverage service venue guidance:  www.cdph.ca.gov

Resources are also available from the National Restaurant Association: https://restaurant.org/Covid19

10. Where can I go to get daily updates on COVID-19 cases in Yolo County?

Yolo County has established an interactive dashboard for information regarding the COVID-19 disease in Yolo County. Information is updated daily. The search function gives an overview of cases per gender, age, and city.

11. If my employer is not taking appropriate safety measures to protect me, who do I contact?

Residents and employees may report potential violations to City of Woodland Code Enforcement online https://www.cityofwoodland.org/392/Report-a-Problem or call 530-661-5826. Code enforcement will investigate your complaint and contact the business to inform, educate, and achieve compliance.

12. Where can I get guidance documents and assistance in SPANISH about COVID-19 for employees and employers?

The official CDC website in Spanish provides many valuable resources worth sharing with employees and a specific page “Resources for businesses and employees / Recursos para empresas y empleados”. Numerous CDC-developed factsheets exist in Spanish on COVID-19.

The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is an additional resource for businesses seeking COVID-19 response assistance.

For phone assistance in Spanish, the Sacramento Business Chamber launched a rapid response hotline for businesses assistance in English & Spanish for businesses affected by COVID-19: 1-833-391-1919. As they are experiencing a high call volume, be prepared to leave a message with your name, number, and a brief outline of your questions so that they can call you back.

13. Does the City of Woodland have financial assistance programs for businesses?

The City does not currently have direct financial assistance available for businesses. The City adopted an eviction moratorium and suspended late charges for utility bills and business license renewals. The City is monitoring federal and state legislation for COVID-19 business resources and conducting outreach to inform future decision-making on this topic.

14. What federal and state programs are available to help my businesses?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has Economic Injury Disaster Loans, emergency grants and Paycheck Protection Programs available.

Visit the SBA www.sba.gov or Small Business Development Center www.capitalregionsbdc.com

The City’s COVID-19 Response Resources for Businesses and Employees webpage has these and other financial aid resources listed and updated frequently: https://www.cityofwoodland.org/1210/COVID-19-Resources-for-Businesses-Employ#supportwoodlandbusiness

The Woodland Chamber of Commerce is another valuable resource for local businesses: https://woodlandchamber.org/; as well, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce https://rapidresponse.metrochamber.org/  has a Hotline now open and staffed for businesses looking to speak to a live body regarding the CARES Act and other programs, call 1-833-391-1919. 

15. If I am applying for / received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, is my small business eligible to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program?

Response received from SBA HQ on 4/3/2020: Borrowers can apply for both an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program loan. However, the Paycheck Protection Program loan funds and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds cannot be used for the same purpose. The Paycheck Protection Program loan must be used for payroll (minimum of 75% of the funds received) for it to be eligible for a forgivable loan and the remaining is used for different purposes. Borrowers who accept both loan funds should document the uses of the funds appropriately.

Visit Paycheck Protection Program & EIDL Loan Advance for more information. 

16. I received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan – Can I apply for the Paycheck Protection Program?

Response received from SBA HQ on 4/3/2020: Yes, you are still eligible to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program even if you applied for or received an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

If your Economic Injury Disaster Loan was not used for payroll costs, it does not affect your eligibility for a Paycheck Protection Program loan.

If your Economic Injury Disaster Loan was used for payroll costs, your Paycheck Protection Program loan must be used to refinance your Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The Paycheck Protection Program’s maximum loan amount is $10 million with a fixed 1% interest rate and maturity of two years. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance provides up to $2 million loan per business and are long-term, low-interest rate at 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for non-profits and a maturity of up to 30 years

Any advance up to $10,000 on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan will be deducted from the loan forgiveness amount of the Paycheck Protection Program loan.

For example, a borrower may obtain a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program and use those funds to pay for 8 weeks of payroll or employee retention. They may wish to then dedicate their entire EIDL funds towards working capital, notes payable and accounts payable that do not duplicate the funds provided through the Paycheck Protection Program. If the EIDL loan was used for payroll expenses, the borrower must refinance the EIDL loan with the PPP loan which carries a lower interest rate as well as a shorter maturity period.

Visit Paycheck Protection Program & EIDL Loan Advance for more information. 

17. Do I have to choose either the Economic Injury Disaster Loan OR the Paycheck Protection Program?

Response received from SBA HQ on 4/3/2020: Select the loan program that best meets your individual business needs; however, you are not permitted to hold funds from both programs for the same purpose.

The PPP loan has different terms from the EIDL loan. The Paycheck Protection Program’s maximum loan amount is $10 million with a fixed 1% interest rate and maturity of two years.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance provides up to $2 million loan per business and are long-term, low-interest rate at 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for non-profits and a maturity of up to 30 years

The application period for PPP loans runs through June 30, 2020, but the EIDL application period runs through December 2020. If you have working capital need beyond what is provided by PPP, you can apply for additional assistance through the EIDL program.

If you are applying for both, you can accept PPP first – then decide whether to close on your EIDL approved loan. An EIDL approved loan may be closed within 60 days, and the borrower can choose whether to close on the loan. The EIDL application period runs through Dec. 2020.

Visit Paycheck Protection Program & EIDL Loan Advance for more information.