COVID-19 Resources
Resources for Employers, Employees, and more
Updated 4/20/2021
Click here for our latest announcements related to COVID-19 & other Chamber news
Click on the topics below for more information.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has re-opened and participating financial institutions are accepting applications until March 31, 2021.
In order to reach the smallest businesses, SBA will offer PPP loans to businesses with fewer than 20 employees and sole proprietors only from Wednesday, February 24 through Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 5pm ET. President Biden has also announced additional program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable. Read the related fact sheet from the White House here.
Updated PPP guidance outlining program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. Click here to see the press release from the US Treasury Department.
Financial institution PPP portals and updates:
Bank of the West · WestAmerica Bank · Redwood Credit Union · Bank of America · Wells Fargo
The following are direct links to additional application forms and guidance from the SBA:
Updated First Draw Forms
Second Draw Forms
- Form 2483-SD – Second Draw Borrower Application
- Form 2484-SD – Second Draw Lender Guaranty Application
Guidance & Resources
- Accessing Capital for Minority Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns Guidance
- Top-Line Overview of First Draw PPP Loans
- Top-Line Overview of Second Draw PPP Loans
- Interim Final Rule #1 – PPP as Amended by Economic Aid Act
- Interim Final Rule #2 – PPP Second Draw Loans
- Procedural Notice – Modifications to SBA Forms 3506, 3507 and 750 CA (PPP only)
- Procedural Notice – SBA Procedural Notice on Repeal of EIDL Advance Deduction Requirement
On February 23rd, Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive package providing urgent relief for the small businesses of CA. The package provides an additional $2 billion – a four-fold increase over the $500 million currently being distributed – for grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and allocates $50 million of this total for non-profit cultural institutions.
Please read below for additional information about each round.
- Round 3 (waitlisted applicants from Rounds 1 and 2): Friday, March 5th through Thursday, March 11th, 2021
- Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in Rounds 1 and 2 – only existing applicants will be selected. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.
- Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000
- Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted
- Round 4 (non-profit cultural institutions only): Tuesday, March 16th through Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021
- Eligible applicants: Only non-profit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
- Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
- Details: Eligible non-profit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1 and 2; grants will only be available to non-profits cultural institutions that did not receive funding in Rounds 1, 2 or 3; grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019
- Round 5: Thursday, March 25th through Wednesday, March 31st
- Eligible applicants: current waitlisted small businesses and non-profits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
- Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
- Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, & 3 do not need to reapply as they will be automatically moved into Round 5. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com
- Round 6: Date to be announced soon
- Eligible applicants: current waitlisted small businesses and/or non-profits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
- Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000
- Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, 3 & 5 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 6. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com
Visit www.CAReliefGrant.com for more eligibility, criteria, and updates.
Use MyTurn.ca.gov to check if you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. If it’s not your turn yet, continue to check periodically.
As of the beginning of March, individuals in Phase 1A (residents and staff of nursing homes and assisted living facilities; health care workers) and Phase 1B (adults age 65 and older; essential workers in food and agriculture, emergency services and education and child care) are eligible for vaccination.
Testing is important to identify cases and keep our community healthy as well as to help case rate numbers. Encourage your employees to get tested.
Beginning Tuesday, December 29th, OptumServe began providing COVID-19 testing services in Napa County as part of a new contract with the State of California. The testing services are provided free of charge five days a week with extended hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Testing at the Napa Valley Expo will continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, excluding holidays. The mobile testing days will now take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, excluding holidays.
Create a new account and make an appointment
Napa County mobile testing calendar
Napa County mobile testing locations
Click here for updated guidance for private events and gatherings
Click here for industry guidance from the State, including information on tier levels, how to reopen your business safely and specific guidelines for different industries.
To help plan and prepare your business for safe reopening, download the playbook here.
Click here for guidance for responding to responding to COVID-19 cases in the workplace.
Click here for more from Napa County regarding industry and workplace guidance including:
- California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy including our current tier assignment
- General workplace guidance including prevention and preparation
- Resources and information for workplace outbreaks
- Specific guidelines by industry
For employers
Work Sharing Program. Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing program as a temporary alternative to layoffs if the business’s production or services have been reduced.
Partial Unemployment Insurance Claims to Keep Employees. Your employees can file for Unemployment Insurance benefits and certify to receive ongoing payments. They are not required to look for a new job because they are considered partially unemployed.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). A program for those not eligible for regular unemployment like independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and more
For employees
How to file for unemployment (video)
The CA Employment Development Division (EDD) provides a variety of support and relief services to employees affected by COVID-19 in California. Visit their COVID-19 resource page.
Partial unemployment benefits are available if you have reduced work hours.
Sick or quarantined workers can file a disability insurance claim.
Need to take care of an ill family member? Get up to six weeks of paid family leave for caregiving.
OnwardCa.org is a new platform connecting displaced California workers with more than 70,000 job opportunities in critical industries.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program for those not eligible for regular unemployment like independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and more.
Cal/OSHA regulations to keep you safe at work.
Need COVID-19 related signage for your business, such as floor stickers, face mask requirements, etc.?
Click here to access our folder of designs and find out how to order locally.
American Express is offering complimentary signs & supplies related to COVID-19 safety. Click here for more info.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) round 2: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) re-opened the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. Read the press release here.
CA Small Business Relief Grant:
On February 17, Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature Leadership announced an Immediate Action Agreement to support additional funding for the CA Relief Grant program. Please stay tuned for further details pending final legislative action.
As of Monday, February 8, 2021 6 PM, the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Round 2 has closed. Round 1 closed January 13, 2021 and application approval notifications were sent out Friday, January 15 through Friday, January 22. Funds will be disbursed over a 45-day verification period beginning Friday, January 22.
Round 1 applicants who did not receive funds were waitlisted and automatically rolled over for consideration in Round 2.
Round 2 applicants who are selected for a grant will be notified between February 11 – 18, 2021. Applicants who are not selected for a grant will be notified on February 24, 2021. As soon as more information is available about future funding rounds, applicants will be notified by Lendistry.
PPP Forgivable Loans: a new round in the new federal relief package. It is important that you check-in with your banking/lending institution to see what their specific process will be to address redistribution or reapplication for funds when the time comes. We update this section as more information is available. Please continue to check the SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources page and specifically the PPP Loan Information Page.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Program for those not eligible for regular unemployment like independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and more.
Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (via IBank). $50 million in state funding, providing potential capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). SBA loans available to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses.
Small Business Debt Relief Program Loans. If you are a current borrower under SBA 7(a) (not through PPP), a 504 loan program or a microloan, you are eligible for debt relief and SBA will cover all loan payments for 6 months.
Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center
The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for Small Business 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 eligible for this program. CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. Loans are available up to $5 million.
The Northern California SBDC is hosting a regular drop-in meeting for small business owners. The Finance Center will share the latest COVID-19 Disaster Loan and Grant updates from the SBA, other sources available, and have an extensive question and answer session. Attorneys from the CASE Task Force are on hand every other Wednesday session to answer legal questions about the COVID-19 Pandemic.You can register by clicking here. Or contact Breana Palmer at: breana@norcalsbdc.org for more information.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) may provide reimbursement for paid leave costs related to COVID-19.
Delay of State Payroll Reports from the EDD
The State of California is providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19 including small business interest free deferral of sales/use tax and a 90-day extension on all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes.
The IRS has set up a special section to help taxpayers and businesses affected by COVID-19. The page will be updated as new programs are made available.
Napa County has answers to frequently asked questions about the Shelter in Place Order and more in English and Spanish.
Full business resource page from the County of Napa.
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has resources available to businesses affected by COVID-19.
Guidance for schools and childcare in Napa County.
Information about emergency childcare (Sonoma County).
The U.S. General Services Administration website has resources to help guide employers in offering and managing telecommuting or remote work.