FLASH REPORT #121 - COVID-19 Mitigation and Response

Post Date:07/15/2020 4:00 PM

The following is information about the City of San José’s response to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and reduce the number of people infected.  

SOURCE:   
City of San José
Emergency Operations Center  

Contact:
Carolina Camarena/Colin Heyne, City of San José Media Line: 408-535-7777  
City of San José Customer Contact Center: 3-1-1 (408-535-3500)  

Email:  
News/Media: EOC_PIO@sanjoseca.gov
Residents: 311@sanjoseca.gov
Businesses: covid19sjbusiness@sanjoseca.gov
Non-Profits: covid19sjcbo@sanjoseca.gov

Updates on City of San José Services and/or Operations

  • Restrictions on Indoor Business Operations Back in Effect: The County of Santa Clara has announced that, because of the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the county was put back on the State of California’s watch list over the weekend. As a result, many indoor business operations in San José must close back down, effective immediately this morning - 12:01 am, July 15. This includes personal services (such as hair and nail salons) and gyms. Shopping malls will also be required to close again. This development is an unexpected and difficult blow to the many San José businesses that were just starting to reopen, but is needed to fight the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases here and across the state. Your cooperation will help reduce exposure to the virus, and bring down the increases in positive tests, cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in Santa Clara County. More information may be found on the County’s business information page. If you have questions, email the City of San José’s business resources team at covid19sjbusiness@sanjoseca.gov.
  • Access to Capital in Response to COVID-19: Are you a small business owner, non-profit, or sole-proprietor struggling to access working capital? If you could use helpful tips on navigating through the application process for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan, 7(a) & 504 loan programs, join the City of San José and the SBA for an online workshop at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, 07/23. This overview of SBA lending programs can help businesses overcome obstacles and provide more borrowing opportunities during these challenging times.
  • Electricity Bill Discounts Available for San José Clean Energy Customers: There are multiple state-funded financial assistance programs to help San José Clean Energy customers pay their electricity bills.
    • CARE is an income-based program that offers discounts up to 35% on electricity and up to 20% on gas every month. FERA offers an 18% discount on electric rates to households of three or more who meet income guidelines. Customers who lost a job due to COVID-19 may qualify for these discount programs even if they are receiving unemployment benefits. Income guidelines are based on current income. You can also text “CARE” or "FERA" to 20283 to determine if you are eligible for these two programs.
    • The Medical Baseline Allowance program assists customers who have medical conditions that require special electricity needs, like an electric wheelchair or CPAP machine. Customers receive 1) a higher electricity allowance at the lowest rate on their monthly energy bills and 2) extra notifications in advance of PG&E’s power shutoffs. Due to COVID-19, you do not need a doctor’s signature to apply at this time.

    Please visit San José Clean Energy's Discount Programs webpage to learn more about these programs and apply.  

  • Virtual Recreation Center: The San José Virtual Recreation Center offers free one-hour live stream classes every week:
    • Every Monday: Get your blood pumping during a live Zumba Gold Class at 10:00 a.m.
    • Every Monday & Wednesday through July: Join a live COVID-19 Safe Walking Tip Webinar at 2:00 p.m.
    • Every Wednesday: De-stress with live Yoga at 5:00 p.m.

    Visit the City's Virtual Recreation Center at bit.ly/sjvirtualrec for links to these classes, as well as other daily activities, and over a hundred fun and educational resources to do at home.
  • Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Launches Podcast: July is National Parks and Recreation month. This year, the celebration comes at a time when San José’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) has been critically involved in many aspects of the COVID-19 crisis response, from distributing food and necessities to maintaining parks and trails so everyone can enjoy the outdoors for their physical and mental health. PRNS debuts, “A Walk In The Park”, a weekly podcast that will highlight the achievements of PRNS staff performing essential community services. The podcast is part of  the “We Are Essential” campaign that celebrates frontline staff during National Parks and Recreation Month. Learn more about the department of PRNS at bit.ly/ESSENTIALPRNS and share the following hashtags this July #WeAreParksandRec #EssentialServices.
  • Zoo Welcomes New Joey: Throughout the COVID-19 response, the important work of excellent animal care and conservation continues at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. The Zoo has exciting news  – a Parma wallaby (a macropod species whose population is in rapid decline) gave birth to a healthy joey, which has just started poking its head out of the pouch. The gender is not yet determined. For more information about Happy Hollow Park & Zoo and updates during the facility's temporary closure due to COVID-19, visit www.happyhollow.org.

Updates from the County of Santa Clara

  • COVID-19 Pop-Up Testing Sites: The pop-up testing program operated by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center continues to provide free diagnostic COVID-19 testing around the County. Nasal swab testing is free for everyone—no health insurance or doctor’s note is required. No appointment is needed; anyone can simply stop by to get tested. A list of pop-up locations can be found on the Public Health Department’s website. As always, residents can find a testing location across the County at www.sccfreetest.org or by calling 2-1-1.

    Pop-up sites open this week in San José include:

    • County of Santa Clara Service Center – Auditorium
      1555 Berger Drive
      San José, CA 95112
      Tuesday, July 14 to Friday, July 17, 10am – 3pm
    • Independence High School - C Commons
      617 N. Jackson Avenue
      San José, CA 95133
      Tuesday, July 14 to Friday, July 17, 10am – 3pm 

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A person’s risk for COVID-19 is not related to race, ethnicity or culture. City employees must abide by the Discrimination and Harassment policy, and treat colleagues and members of the public with courtesy and respect. Discrimination and/or Harassment of any kind is a violation of the policies and will not be tolerated.  

 

 

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