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

• 8/6: Business License Relief – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is waiving all penalties that would have applied to past due business license tax bills starting on March 16, 2020 and ending on August 31, 2020. This will allow additional time for businesses to pay their business license tax bill without receiving penalties. Learn more here.
• 7/24: The City has expanded opportunities for gyms and fitness facilities to utilize public parks for group classes under current health guidelines.To learn how to host fitness classes in public parks, click here. Download an application here.
• 7/23: The City of Long Beach updated its operations protocols for hair salon/barbershops and personal care services to include requirements for outdoor operations in accordance with State guidelines. Businesses with questions are directed to call the City’s business hotline at 562-570-4BIZ.
• 7/13: Due to rising cases of COVID-19, the following business types in Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, must close indoor operations per order of the State of California. There is no sunset date for these regulations as of yet.
  • Fitness Centers
  • Offices for Non-Critical Sectors
  • Personal Care Services
  • Hair Salons and Barbershops
  • Malls
  • Places of worship must also cease indoor operations.
• 7/1: Effective immediately per order of the State government, the following sectors in L.A. County, including Long Beach, must close indoor operations due to the risk of spreading COVID-19: restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums and cardrooms. This regulation is expected to remain in place for 3 weeks. Bars must remain closed.
• 7/1: A revised City Health Order is largely in line with the above rules put in place by the State. Additionally, it bans the use of one-way valve masks.
• 6/29: All bars in Los Angeles County, including in Long Beach, must close per order of the Governor. This applies to brewpubs, craft distilleries, breweries, bars, pubs, wineries and associated tasting rooms that do not have a restaurant permit. Those with a restaurant permit may continue to operate, but seated bar areas must remain closed. Click here to learn more.
• 6/19: Revised City Health Order.
• The State of California now requires the use of masks in indoor public places and in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible. Click here to read the complete guidelines.
• Beginning 6/19, the following sectors may reopen, per the City of Long Beach: bars, breweries, wineries, tap rooms, and nail salons.
• Beginning 6/12, the following sectors may reopen, per the City of Long Beach: gyms and fitness facilities; professional sports without live audiences; day camps for youth; museums, galleries, and the Aquarium; campgrounds, RV parks, and outdoor recreation; music, film, and television production; and hotels, lodging, and certain short-term rentals for tourism and individual travel.
• All restaurants and eateries in Long Beach may open for dine-in service under the new City Health Order beginning 5/29/20. Click here to view health and safety. requirements for dine-in restaurants. Please note: Servers must wear BOTH a face covering AND a face shield.
• All hair salons and barbershops in Long Beach may reopen under the new City Health Order beginning 5/29/20. Click here to view health and safety requirements for hair salons and barbershops. Please note: Employees must each have their own tools, equipment, and defined workspace; no sharing is allowed.
• All retail businesses in Long Beach are allowed to reopen at 50% capacity beginning 5/27/20. Office-based businesses may reopen but are encouraged to telecommute instead. Establishments must implement and post a Physical Distancing Protocol prior to reopening. Click here for more details.
• 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 non-compliant 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.
• The Small Business Restart Grant Program (SBR Grant) provides grant funding to Long Beach businesses affected by damage or theft due to the unrest on May 31. Applicants are eligible for up to $10,000 in SBR Grant funding. Grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must complete the Business Damage Assessment Form, and they will then be contacted by City staff with instructions on how to apply. The grant amount will be based on supporting documentation that illustrates the extent of damages.
• 7/13: Long Beach City Council approved a spending plan for the City’s Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation from the State of California, including $6,750,000 to support grants for small businesses and non-profits, materials needed for economic recovery, economic inclusion and equity programs, and the City’s Open Streets Initiative. The City is in the process of preparing application materials for each funding opportunity. Those interested in applying are asked to complete the CARES Act Interest Form.
• The Long Beach Economic Partnership has launched its second wave of grants for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. To qualify, applicants must not have received other government assistance. Selected small businesses will receive microgrants of $500 as well as access to cash flow, budget and loan application training, and one-on-one business counseling. Click here to learn more.
• The deadline to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, has been extended to August 8.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance Program.
• City of Long Beach’s Small Business Restart Grant Program provides emergency relief to small businesses impacted by theft or vandalism on May 31, 2020. Grants of $1,000-$2,000 each are available, and funds are limited. Click here for details and to apply.
• The L.A. Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund provides grants to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits experiencing impacts due to the pandemic. Small businesses and nonprofits may apply for grants of up to $15,000, while entrepreneurs may apply for grants of up to $5,000.
• 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.

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 State of California has partnered with industry-leading companies to launch a website, ShopSafeShopLocal, that connects small business owners to tools and resources related to shipping, operations, online marketing, and more.
• Quantgene, a Santa Monica-based firm, is offering customized COVID-19 plans to businesses. Components include risk assessments, guidance training, COVID-19 testing solutions, ongoing health and safety monitoring, and more. Please note, this is a paid service. Click here to download details. For more information, contact Rachel Strohmeyer at rachel@quantgene.com or 951-775-0607.
• 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, and offers a full slate of webinars on topics related to business strategy.
• 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

• Beginning July 31, the City of Long Beach is requiring all healthcare facilities to provide COVID-19 testing to symptomatic individuals. Click here for details.
• 7/2: The Long Beach CARES Emergency Rental Assistance program is now accepting applications. Click here to learn more and apply.
• 7/1: A revised City Health Order bans the use of one-way valve masks.
• The State of California now requires the use of masks in indoor public places and in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible. Click here to read the complete guidelines.
• 6/19: Revised City Health Order
• The City of Long Beach is allowing residents to appeal parking citations due to COVID-19-related impacts through July 5.
• 5/27: The City of Long Beach announced that places of worship, retail and offices may open with certain restrictions. Learn more here, and read the full health order here. 
• 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.
• L.A. County has created a web page explaining guidelines for COVID-19 testing and locations where eligible persons may be tested.
• 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 instated a grace period for late rent payments. As of May 26, the eviction moratorium and rent deferment period was extended until July 31.
• 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. 

• The Great Plates Delivered program offers free meal delivery to adults 65 years or older, and to those aged 60-64 with medical conditions. The program is ongoing through July 10. Click here to learn more and apply.
• 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.