COVID-19

Coronavirus and the 78 Corridor

Updated October 26, 2021

We understand that there are many issues facing you as a business during this difficult time. We want to do what we can to assist you so you can find the information you need to make informed decisions for you and your employees. This page is actively updated as state mandates and regulations change.

California fully reopened the economy on June 15, 2021 

Businesses and activities can return to normal, except for “Mega Events.” Capacity limits and social distancing requirements end in most cases. Face coverings will continue to be required in some settings.

Mega Events
Mega Events have large crowds: more than 5,000 people indoors or 10,000 outdoors. Events must follow guidance below from the California Department of Public Health. See full CDPH guidance.

For Indoor Mega Events
(example: conventions/conferences/expos/sporting events and concerts):

Verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test result is required of all attendees.
Information will be prominently placed on all communications, including the reservation and ticketing systems, to ensure guests are aware of testing and vaccination requirements (including acceptable modes of verification).
Attendees must follow CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings.

For Outdoor Mega Events
(example: music or food festivals/car shows/large endurance events and marathons/parades/sporting events and concerts):

Verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test result is strongly recommended for all attendees. 
Attendees who do not verify vaccination status should be asked to wear face coverings.  Attendees must follow CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings. 
Information will be prominently placed on all communications, including the reservation and ticketing systems, to ensure guests are aware that the State strongly recommends  that they be fully vaccinated, obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to attending the event, or wear a face covering. Venues are required to make available masks for all attendees.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES

San Diego County has resumed free COVID-19 testing at California State University San Marcos in its lower parking lot B off Craven Road.

The walk-up testing site is open to the public and no appointment is needed. The site is open from 10:00am-5:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday.

More North County COVID-19 testing locations include North Inland Live Well Center in Escondido and North Coastal Live Well Center in Oceanside.

Visit San Diego County’s testing schedule page here for more information.

Available funds

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Loans of up to $500,000 with 24 months of economic injury are available to businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

California Capital Assistance Program for Small Businesses (CalCAP SB)

CalCAP SB provides loans of up to $5 million to businesses that create jobs and improve the economy. CalCAP lenders within San Diego County include CDC Small Business Finance in Point Loma and First Choice Bank in Chula Vista. Borrowers will need to contact a Participating Lending Institution to start the CalCAP loan enrollment process.

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. This covers re-training to adjust and shift with COVID-19 regulations.

San Diego County Small Business Stimulus Grant

The Small Business Stimulus Grant Program is funded by Board of Supervisors allocated federal CARES Act funding and County General Fund. The grant funding provides economic assistance to help businesses and nonprofit entities impacted by COVID-19. Financial assistance will be allocated to eligible, qualified small businesses and nonprofit entities with final award recommendations made by individual district offices based on the availability of funds, program guidelines, and the submission of all required information and supporting documentation.

City of Vista Small Business COVID-19 Grant Program

Independently owned, for-profit businesses located in Vista that have been mandated by government action or decree to close or significantly alter their business activity due to COVID-19 are eligible to apply for and receive grant funds. Grant funds will be awarded to businesses who qualify for funding based on select criteria and can demonstrate financial loss through a Profit and Loss Statement or can document how their proposed prospective activities will assist them in recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Applications are expected to open November 1.

City of Carlsbad Small Business Loan

The City of Carlsbad offers Carlsbad small businesses loans of between $5,000-$10,000 (for businesses with $2 million or less in gross revenue or 15 or fewer employees) and between $10,000-$25,000 (for businesses with $3 million or less in gross revenue and 50 or fewer employees).

City of San Marcos COVID-19 Nonprofit Community Grant Program

The City of San Marcos is debuting a $3 million COVID-19 Nonprofit Community Grant Program, aimed at helping essential nonprofits that serve San Marcos residents who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Resources

• Federal Resources for U.S. Small Businesses
• PPP forgiveness factsheet for borrowers for forgiveness process
• San Diego County Health and Human Services Department general updates.

Outdoor expansion permit:

• Carlsbad permit application
• Escondido permit application and Temporary Use Permits
• San Marcos permit application
• Oceanside permit application
• Vista permit application

City-specific pages:

• City of Oceanside Coronavirus information here.
• City of Vista Coronavirus information here.
• City of San Marcos Coronavirus information here.
• City of Carlsbad Coronavirus information here.
• City of Escondido Coronavirus information here.

North County: Still Hiring.

• Check out our weekly job board series highlighting opportunities along the 78 Corridor, with a focus on high-growth industries including technology, life sciences, manufacturing and more. Explore jobs and submit open positions for inclusion here. Check back each week for new roles!

SBA loans:

• A breakdown of all SBA Coronavirus Loans are here.

Tax relief resources:

• IRS Taxpayer relief information here.
• Executive order for the State of California which extends the tax deadline by 60 days for individuals and businesses (see provision 5, page 2) here.

Business/employer resources:

• Free legal counsel for small businesses and non-profits here.
• Small Business Stimulus Program here.
• Small Business Resource guide from California State Treasurer Ma’s office here.
• A comprehensive listing of resources offered by private, public and non-profit entities to help California businesses here.
• Small Business Development Center open for business during the Covid-19 crisis, details are here.
• CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers here.
• Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath’s resource page here.
• San Diego Brewers Guild information and resources here.
• San Diego Workforce Partnership resources here.
• Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development: helpful information for employers, employees and all Californians here.
• SDG&E will waive late payment fees for businesses facing hardship, details here.
• Adapting to the online world –  If you are a small business that is new to online tools, please contact us at info@innovate78.com– we’ll put you in touch with a member of our community that has offered to help businesses get set up with Zoom and other online tools
• Sick or Quarantined: If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance Claim.
• Reduced Hours: If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Claim.
• Testing for COVID-19 here.
• ICIC Small Business Resource Center here.

If you find these resources do not have what you need, please email us at the email addresses below. Please select the city within which your businesses resides and we will answer your questions within 24 hours.

City of Carlsbad – business@carlsbadca.gov
City of Escondido – jschoeneck@escondido.org
City of San Marcos – tsangster@san-marcos.net
City of Oceanside – mgeller@oceansideca.org
City of Vista – econdev@cityofvista.com
San Diego North Economic Development Council – ebruvold@sdnedc.org
Innovate78 – cmd@sandiegobusiness.org