Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - March 15, 2020

On March 15, San Mateo County Health Officer, Dr. Scott Morrow, issued a new legal Order, which prohibits group gatherings of more than 50, including in outdoor spaces. In addition, the Order specifies requirements for gatherings of 50 or fewer people to include enough space for people to remain at least six feet from any other attendee; soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, must be available; hosts of gatherings must clean surfaces with disinfecting wipes or other standard cleaners before, during, and after the event; and hosts must alert prospective attendees at least 24 hours prior to the gathering that such gatherings pose a heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission. The Order will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 6.

Additionally, today, Governor Newsom held a press conference calling for self-isolation of all seniors and those who are health compromised, the immediate shutdown of bars/breweries/wineries, and said that all restaurants should reduce capacity and provide deep social distancing. 

In light of these new developments, the City's operations have been modified as listed below. 

The public should be prepared for further changes, as more information becomes available from our public health officials and as directed by state and federal leadership.

City Essential Services will Continue to Operate

The City will continue to provide essential services to the public, including Police, Fire, public utilities, maintenance of streets and right of ways, and food distribution services in a to-go format.  

City Facilities

Most City facilities will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16. There will not be face-to-face consultation and all other essential customer services will be provided remotely either online or by phone. 

Fair Oaks Community Center will remain open to provide essential services to our most vulnerable community members, including homelessness services and food distribution, but will be limited to only allow small groups in at a time.

Members of the public may still contact City services remotely, as follows:

• Planning Division, including permits and plan checks and review services. Please call (650) 780-7234 or  email planning@redwoodcity.org
• Building Regulation and Code Enforcement, including permits and plan check review services. Please call (650) 780-7350 or email permits@redwoodcity.org
• Engineering and Transportation, including permit and plan check review services. Please call (650) 780-7380 or email encroachment@redwoodcity.org
• Revenue Services, including residential and commercial billing customer service, and Business and Residential Services, including business license, monthly parking permits. Please call (650) 780-7210 or email revenueservices@redwoodcity.org. Phone hours are 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
• Financial questions including accounts payable, claims, and taxes. Please call (650) 780-7070 or email finance@redwoodcity.org. Phone hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

In addition, City Hall’s Customer Information Center may be reached by calling (650) 780-7000. The Police Department will be offering limited front counter customer service for essential services only.  

Parks, Recreation and Community Services

All playgrounds, pocket parks and select fenced-in recreational amenities will be closed. 

Economic Development

The City is focused on researching and providing more information to support our business community. Some resources are listed below.

Federal Resources for Employers

U.S. Small Business Administration Guidance for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronoavirus 

The SBA has developed resources for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To access these resources click here.

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance 

Economic Injury Disaster loans provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. For more information click here. 

State Resources for Employers

The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) provides many services to employers affected by COVID-19. For the most up-to-date state resources for businesses, visit the GO-Biz resource page. The CA Employment Development Division (EDD) is granting a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest for employers experiencing hardship from COVID-19. For the most up-to-date information, visit CA EDD’s COVID-19 resource page.

California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program & Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program

The Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) partners with Financial Development Corporations to provide loan guarantees and direct loans for small businesses that experience capital access barriers. For information click here. 

California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for Small Business

This program encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. If you own a small business and need a loan for start-up, expansion or working capital, you may receive more favorable loan terms from a lender if your loan is enrolled in the CalCAP Loan Loss Reserve Program. For more information click here. 

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a variety of services to individuals and businesses affected by disasters in California. Governor Gavin Newsome recent Executive Order has waived the one week waiting period for Unemployment Benefits and has extended the time for employers to file and pay payroll taxes. For more information click here.  

Local Financial Resources for Employers

San Mateo Credit Union Work Reduction Loan 

San Mateo Credit Union is offer a low-rate fixed term loan to help businesses get through this difficult and uncertain time.  Click here for details about The Work Reduction loan.

Caltrain and SamTrans Transit Impacts

Caltrain and SamTrans announced that service will be adjusted in response to lower ridership resulting from efforts to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19). Information about the service changes can be found on the SamTrans and Caltrain websites.

With the announcement of countywide school closures, SamTrans changes are limited to routes that primarily serve schools. All routes with stops labeled as “School Day Only” will not receive service.  

The Caltrain changes reduce peak hour service in response to significantly lower ridership, as companies and businesses ask employees to stay home. Reducing this service is necessary since Caltrain does not have a dedicated source of revenue and relies on fares to cover 70% of its costs. The new Caltrain schedule can be found here, and more information about how the system is responding to COVID-19 is here.