What you need to know about reopening your small business – September 2020

The state of California has established a four tier system for reopening nonessential business sectors. Businesses listed in Tier 2, including hair salons, places of worship, gyms, and restaurants, may reopen modified indoor operations that ensure employee and customer health and safety.

What you need to know

In addition to the information laid out in prior public health orders, new updates came into effect on September 1.

Hair Salons, Barbershops, Nail Salons, and Personal Care Services

  • Must require all customers receiving service indoors or using indoor facilities to sign in with their name and phone number

Places of Worship

  • Max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
  • May host religious, cultural, and wedding ceremonies indoors with modifications and in compliance with state guidance

Gyms and Fitness Centers

  • Max 10% capacity
  • Must require all customers receiving service indoors or using indoor facilities to sign in with their name and phone number

Restaurants, Wineries, Bars, Breweries, and Distilleries
(where meal is provided)

  • Max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
  • Must require all guests receiving service indoors or using indoor facilities to sign in with their name and phone number
  • Must maintain the list of names and phone numbers for three weeks
  • Must require guests to wear face coverings at all times while in the facility, including when seated at a table before the meal is served and after the meal is finished
  • Highly encouraged: limit indoor guests to only members of the same household at each table

MORE business RESOURCES

New Statewide Financial Assistance

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed several bills intended to bolster small businesses across California. This includes excluding forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans from taxable income, and offering up to $100 million in tax credits for small businesses impacted by the pandemic that agree to hire new or laid-off workers. For more information, visit the State website and fact sheet.

Business Revitalization and Assistance Grant Program 

The County of San Diego has introduced a new program that offers businesses located in unincorporated areas up to $8,000 to help improve the front exteriors of their buildings. Applications will be accepted from October 1-15, 2020. For more information on the application process, eligibility, and general grant guidelines, please visit the County website.

Employment Training Panel

The Employment Training Panel’s Small Business Program reimburses some training costs for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees. The program covers between eight to 200 hours of instruction for both small business owners and their employees, and includes re-training to adjust and shift with COVID-19 regulations. For more information, visit the State website.

Check out more business resources on our COVID-19 page