Businesses are an integral part of our Downtown community, and they are facing unprecedented challenges as this pandemic unfolds. The DLBA has compiled the resources below to serve as a guidepost regarding updated government regulations, economic assistance and health guidelines for businesses. Check back regularly for new information or subscribe to our weekly Business Resource Newsletter here:

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Guidelines

• Beginning May 8, the City of Long Beach is allowing certain low-risk retailers to reopen with curbside pickup or delivery only. Click here to download DLBA’s checklist, which explains which businesses are allowed to reopen and the steps required to do so.
• 4/10: The County of Los Angeles and City of Long Beach have extended their Safer at Home orders through May 15.
• The IRS has extended the federal income tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15, 2020. Federal income tax payments due on April 15 may also be deferred to July 15.
• Nearly 200 banks, credit unions and financial service institutions are offering a 90-day grace period for mortgage payments as well as eased credit reporting for late payments.
• 3/28: The City of Long Beach has put additional rules in place related to business operations in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Business not in compliance with the rules are now subject to administrative citations. (http://longbeach.gov/press-releases/amendments-to-city-of-long-beach-safer-at-home-health-order/)
• The City of Long Beach is encouraging businesses to voluntarily comply with the Safe At Home order and has issued an explanation of potential enforcement methods for noncompliant businesses.
• The City of Long Beach has launched a COVID-19 hotline for businesses: 562-570-4BIZ.
• The City of Long Beach has issued COVID-19 regulations affecting specific business place types, including restaurants, bars, nightclubs, wineries, gyms, etc.
• The CDC has created some Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers.
• Per the state government, effective March 19, all businesses that do not provide “essential” services (gas, food, medicine, banking, laundry services, hardware) must close their doors.
• The County of Los Angeles issued its own guidelines, which largely align with those of the state government.
• The California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control has eased restrictions on alcohol sales to help associated businesses impacted by COVID-19 regulations.

Access to Capital

• The Funding Finder online database provides information to small businesses about COVID-19 relief programs in their area.
• Congress approved additional funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, 4/27, at 7:30 a.m. Apply quickly, as funding is expected to run out within days.
• Funding has lapsed for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance Program. New applications are not accepted at this time. This item will be updated when/if the situation changes.
• The City of Long Beach has established an Emergency Microloan Program for businesses and 501c3 nonprofits with 5 employees or fewer. Loans range from $2,500-$10,000, and payments may be deferred for up to 9 months. The repayment period is 5-7 years. Call 562-570-4BIZ (4249) for more information.
• The LA County COVID-19 Relief Fund provides loans and grants to small businesses and nonprofits.
• L.A. County has launched a $500,000 Employer Assistance Grant Fund to help businesses, including nonprofits and social enterprises, affected by COVID-19. The application period has closed, but you can join a waitlist here.
• The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) is allowing small business taxpayers to enter into 12-month interest-free payment plans for up to $50,000 of sales-and-use tax liability. This is effectively an immediate interest-free loan to small businesses.
• Kiva Long Beach offers 0% interest loans through its fundraising platform.
• The Jewish Free Loan Association is offering loans to Coronavirus-impacted entrepreneurs, regardless of religious affiliation.
• Facebook is planning to offer grants to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Workforce and Labor Assistance

• Pacific Gateway is holding daily livestreams on Instagram (@pacgateway) at 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Topics of discussion include unemployment insurance, state work sharing programs, information on job openings, and other resources for workers and employers.
• The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has compiled a comprehensive resource guide for employers.
• Cal/OSHA has created guidance to protect workers from coronavirus.
• The US Chamber of Commerce has created a toolkit that includes checklists and useful graphics for the workplace.
• Pacific Gateway offers a variety of services to local businesses, including layoff aversion and rapid response assistance. Its WorkPlace job center remains open.

Technical Assistance

• The City of Long Beach is providing free downloadable posters for businesses to print and post to inform their customers and employees about best health and safety practices.
• Local business Minuteman Press created Bounce Back Long Beach, an initiative offering a free local advertising forum for businesses, as well as a free printed COVID-19 awareness and prevention poster.
• The Small Business Development Center is holding daily 3 p.m. webinars regarding the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program.
• The Small Business Development Center is ready to advise business owners on COVID-19 related matters.
• The Long Beach Economic Development Department has created a COVID-19 resource page for businesses and employees outlining regulations, economic resources and more.
• The California International Trade Center has compiled a list of resources useful to small businesses whose operations rely upon global trade.

Pacific Gateway has launched an online portal to connect hourly job seekers with local employers.

Pacific Gateway offers job search assistance and career development resources. Its WorkPlace job center at 4801 Airport Plaza Dr. remains open.

The State of California’s Employment Development Department has provided guidance on what workers impacted by COVID-19 can do if they are:

• Sick or quarantined
• Unable to work while caring for an ill or quarantined family member
• Missing work due to school closures
• Experiencing reduced work hours
• Self-employed

Guidelines & General Updates

• 5/11: Under new guidance from the City of Long Beach, the following public spaces are now open to use with proper physical distancing protocols: public trails, golf courses, the beach bike/pedestrian path, tennis courts, disc golf, archery, park parking lots.
• The City of Long Beach has extended the cessation of street sweeping citations until May 18th. Notices to move vehicles for street sweeping will begin being issued May 4th.
• 4/10: The County of Los Angeles and City of Long Beach have extended their Safer at Home orders through May 15.
• L.A. County has created a web page explaining guidelines for COVID-19 testing and locations where eligible persons may be tested.
• The City of Long Beach has put additional rules in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including extending the closure of beaches and public facilities through May 1, as well as prohibiting funerals.
• Effective March 19, all California residents must stay home except to obtain or conduct necessary services/activities.
• The County of Los Angeles issued its own guidelines, which largely align with those of the state government.

Financial Protections 

• IRS has extended the federal income tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15, 2020. Federal income tax payments due on April 15 may also be deferred to July 15.
• The City of Long Beach has halted evictions for residential and commercial tenants affected by COVID-19, and has enstated a grace period for late rent payments.
• Nearly 200 banks, credit unions and financial service institutions are offering a 90-day grace period for mortgage payments as well as eased credit reporting for late payments.
• Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a statewide moratorium on evictions through May 31.
• The Long Beach Corona Virus Relief Fund hosted through the Long Beach Community Foundation supports community-based nonprofit, educational and governmental organizations at the frontlines of COVID-19 response.

Service Announcements

• Dignity Health is offering free virtual urgent care visits for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms. Use the code COVID19.
• LA Metro has created a webpage with ongoing updates related to its operations and rules during the pandemic.
• Long Beach Transit is launching a modified service schedule beginning March 22. Buses run 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Water taxi service is suspended.
• The City of Long Beach is pausing street sweeping citations through this week (Friday, 3/20).
• Southern California Edison has announced that they will NOT be disconnecting any service due to nonpayment for customers impacted by COVID-19.
• The Long Beach Water Department will NOT be shutting off service for nonpayments and will be suspending penalties and interest for late payments through the month of March.

Educational & Family Resources

• The City of Long Beach offers this COVID-19 guide for young families.
• Scholastic is offering free Learn at Home activities for children.
• PBS Socal is also providing free At-Home Learning.
• Comcast is offering low-income households Free Internet for 60-Days.
• The Long Beach Public Library has many free online resources available to library cardholders (i.e. educational activities for grades K-12, professional development courses, eBooks, audiobooks, music, and movies). If you don’t have a library card, you can obtain a temporary barcode & pin online to access their online resources.
• 4/29: LBUSD updates meal service for students.
  • Pick-up free breakfast, lunch, and now dinner Monday-Friday from 11:30AM-12:30PM at the following LBUSD schools:
    • Addams, Avalon, Birney, Bixby, Burbank, Chavez, Dooley, Garfield, Gompers, Grant, Harte, Herrera, King, Lafayette, Lincoln, Lindbergh, McKinley, Oropeza, Riley, Roosevelt, Signal Hill, Smith, Twain, Washington, Webster, Whitter and Willard.

Other

• The State of California’s COVID-19 resource website includes a page dedicated to mental and emotional health resources, including hotlines and free services.
• The website LB Mini Markets lists restaurants, by neighborhood, that are now offering market items for sale.

Long Beach Senior Centers will remain open with limited services to ensure we support our most vulnerable community only with appropriate social distancing. 

• Meals on Wheels Long Beach provides home-delivered meals to residents who are unable to cook or shop for themselves and who live alone.
• Seniors (60+), individuals with disabilities, and dependent adults can now receive FREE 24/7 delivery of groceries & other necessities through LA County’s Critical Delivery Service.
• Long Beach Senior Center (1150 E. 4th St.) will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for cafe and lunch service only.
• Senior lunches also will be served at the following sites from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with appropriate social distancing:
  • Cesar Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.)
  • El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Rd.)
  • Expo Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.)
  • McBride Park (1500 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.)
  • Ramona Park (3301 E. 65th St.)
  • Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.)
• The California Department of Aging offers tips to help seniors stay healthy and safe, and to connect them with the services they need.
• Learn the basics from this City of Long Beach factsheet for seniors.

• All City facilities and services for people experiencing homelessness will remain open.
• The Long Beach Winter Shelter has been extended to September 30 and will operate 24/7 until June 30.
• The Long Beach Rescue Mission is continuing to offer services to the homeless community through the COVID-19 crisis.
• Click here to view a list of food banks accessible to individuals experiencing homelessness in Downtown

• The Brown Act has been revised to accomodate COVID-19 social distancing and Stay at Home orders.
• The State of California’s COVID-19 resource website includes a page dedicated to mental and emotional health resources, including hotlines and free services.
• Stay informed with these tips to identify scammers.
• Both the State of California and City of Long Beach have declared moratoriums on evictions due to COVID-19-related financial stressors. Click here to read our fact sheet on the matter.
• List of products that kill COVID-19.