Governor Newsom on Friday announced new criterion for reopening businesses, schools and more in California.
Esssentially, the Governor has imposed similar regualtions across the state with reopening based solely on the number of reported cases.
The criteria for each tier will be uniform for all 58 counties in California, and the vast majority of counties — including all Southern California counties except San Diego — will begin in the first tier.
- Tier 1, widespread transmission: Most nonessential businesses must be closed. Counties in this tier have more than seven new COVID cases per 100,000 people per day and a coronavirus test positivity rate of 8% and above.
- Tier 2, substantial transmission: Some nonessential indoor businesses remain closed. Counties in this tier have between four to seven COVID cases per 100,000 people per day and a coronavirus test positivity rate of between 5%-8%.
- Tier 3, moderate transmission: Some businesses can open with modifications. Counties in this tier have 1-3.9 new COVID cases per 100,000 people per day and a coronavirus positivity rate of 2-4.9%.
- Tier 4, minimal transmission: Most businesses can reopen, with modifications. Counties in this tier have less than one new COVID case per 100,000 people per day and a coronavirus positivity rate of less than 2%.
For example, restaurants in counties in Tier 1 will be allowed only to serve customers outdoors. Once a county moves into Tier 2, restaurants can serve customers indoors, but only at 25% capacity.
The new rules also provide a new pathway toward the partial reopening of schools in some communities. School officials in the 20 counties listed in the state’s new structure as having “substantial,” “moderate” or “minimal” virus transmission will be able to offer limited in-person instruction on school campuses once those counties maintain that status for at least 14 days. Counties with even fewer incidences of confirmed COVID-19 cases and lower test positivity rates could allow students to return to campus part time even earlier.
The new reopening rules require counties to wait at least 21 days before moving to the next reopening tier. If a county has met reopening metrics, which will be based on cases per 100,000 residents and the number or positive COVID results per 100,000 people tested, for the next stage for at least two continuous weeks, they will be allowed to progress to the next stage when 21-day wait period expires. Otherwise they will be required to remain in place until they meet the benchmarks for the next tier for two straight weeks.
Los Angeles County remains in the "widespread" category which severaly restricts who can be open and under what guidelines and circumstances.
Here are the tier metrics:
Learn more about the tiers.
Every county in California is assigned to a tier based on its rate of new cases and positivity. At a minimum, counties must remain in a tier for at least 3 weeks before moving forward. Data is reviewed weekly and tiers are updated on Tuesdays. To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks. If a county’s metrics worsen for two consecutive weeks, it will be assigned a more restrictive tier. Public health officials are constantly monitoring data and can step in if necessary.
You can find a link to per-county data and statistics here: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/
The link also has a tool for determining operating protocols by business/industry type.
The Pasadena Chamber along with other members of the California Coalition for Safe Reopening continue to press for detailed 
We welcome input and would appreciate your reactions. Email paul@pasadena-chamber.org with comments. (THANKS!).
Pasadena officials reported 11 new COVID-19 infections in Pasadena on Thursday, which marked 22 days without a reported fatality. The city saw an average of 10.1 new cases per day over the past week, according to city data. A total of 2,331 infections have been reported in Pasadena since the start of the pandemic, along with 111 fatalities. Huntington Hospital saw 34 COVID-19 patients on Thursday, hospital data showed. Five tests were pending.
Los Angeles County public health officials announced 38 additional deaths and 1,636 new infections but added that 280 of the new cases were the result of backlogged data received from the state. The county has seen 236,986 cases of COVID-19 and 5,701 deaths, the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a written statement. Increasingly, the bulk of new patients has shifted from senior populations to younger ones. According to county health officials nearly 65 percent of all cases reported by Public Health have occurred among people 49 years old and you
GRANTS, LOANS and other RELIEF:
LISC LA has partnered with the County and City of Los Angeles along with other philanthropic partners to oversee and manage the new LA COVID-19 Regional Recovery Fund. The regional Fund will create a much-needed new wave of relief and recovery tools for small businesses, non-profits providing essential services, immigrant-owned enterprises and the most vulnerable Angelenos impacted by COVID-19. They have expanded the criteria to include more businesses. The first phase of the program includes a $3 million grant fund for microenterprises, small businesses and nonprofits.The Round 4 application period will open August 31st. Before completing the application, please review our Grant Information and FAQ. Please keep the following in mind: 1. For business owners with multiple businesses, please answer this survey based on your largest business owned. 2. Each awardee is limited to one grant. 3. Grants will be made to qualified businesses and based on accurate and complete submission and verification of required documentation.
Residential Rent Relief: Applications are now open for LA County COVID-19 Rent Relief through August 31, 2020. Assistance is available for LA County renters, with the exception of residents living in the City of Los Angeles, as the City also received its own allocation of CARES Act funds and has its own programs for City Residents. Eligible renters must qualify based on income and have struggled to pay rent, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their landlord must provide a W-9 and sign a participation agreement in order to have the rent paid on behalf of the tenant. Apply at 211la.org/lacounty/rentrelief, which is available 24/7, or by dialing 2-1-1 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. FAQ here.
LA County Assessor's Disaster Relief Program: If your property has been damaged by this year's civil unrest incidents which began on May 26, 2020 (or by any natural disaster or unforeseeable occurrence, such as an earthquake, fire, flood, etc.) you may be eligible for property tax relief through the Disaster Relief Program offered by LA County Assessor Jeff Prang's Office. Those found eligible for disaster relief will see a temporary reduction on the assessed value of their property - and property taxes - which will remain in effect until damage repairs are completed. To qualify, applicants must have sustained a minimum of $10,000 in physical damage to their property; and must submit a Misfortune & Calamity Claim (M&C) within 12 months of the disaster date Business owners considering this disaster relief should know: 1) Tax relief is only available for taxable property. Taxes are paid on business personal property (such as machinery, equipment, and furniture), but generally not on inventory or merchandise. 2) If the business rents the space, then relief for damage to business personal property (equipment and furniture) would be filed for by the business, while relief for damage to real property would be filed by the landlord. To learn more or apply to the County Assessor's Disaster Relief program, visit assessor.lacounty.gov/disaster-relief.
SBA Disaster Relief Deadline Has Been Extended: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) extended the deadline to apply for a disaster recovery loan to September 16, 2020 for LA County business owners who suffered physical or property damage due to the civil unrest incidents that began on May 26, 2020. Read this week's announcement for more on the deadline change and how you can apply. Last week LA County announcedthe creation of a COVID-19 Rent Relief Program which aims to assist low-income renters and property owners who have struggled to pay their rent and/or who are behind on paying rent due to COVID-19. Today, we offer you a multi-lingual Toolkit and FAQs, so it's easier to share the good word before the application filing period (August 17 through August 31) comes and goes!