California's virus lockdown hits small businesses

(8 Dec 2020) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4300726

  California has imposed new stay-at-home orders that bar restaurant indoor and outdoor dining, shutter  salons, limit retail and restrict social gatherings in an effort to curb spiraling coronavirus infections and hospitalizations.
The new rules took effect late Sunday in the vast region of Southern California, much of the San Francisco Bay Area and a large swath of the Central Valley also prohibit residents from gathering with people not in their households. The state on Sunday reported a record number of new daily virus cases for the third consecutive day, with infections topping 30,000.
John Thiel, chef-owner of Pappo restaurant in Alameda, said the new restrictions on indoor and outdoor dining will take a heavy toll on his business during what's usually the busiest time of the year. He will have to rely on takeout and delivery business.
"It hurts us definitely from a sales perspective," said Thiel, who opened the restaurant about 15 years ago.
"It's a little bit disappointing that we would be the ones to get shut down where we've worked so hard to get to a safe place for our clients
Some law enforcement officials said they don't plan to enforce the rules and are counting on residents to voluntarily wear masks and practice physical distancing to protect themselves during the pandemic.
With coronavirus cases rising, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a plan to divide the state into five regions and use intensive care unit capacity as a trigger for widespread closures.
It is the most restrictive order since Newsom imposed the country's first statewide stay-at-home rule in March and comes as California grapples with soaring COVID-19 infections that have driven hospitalizations above 9,700 and the seven-day positivity rate above 10%.
The rules are expected to affect about eight in 10 California residents and will remain in place at least three weeks, meaning the lockdown will cover the Christmas holiday.
The order deals a blow to small businesses that have struggled to survive over nearly a year in which they were repeatedly ordered to close then allowed to reopen but with complex safety precautions. Many business owners have said they can't afford to comply and questioned whether the virus was really spreading at their locations.
Small business advocates are pushing for Congress to pass federal assistance for small businesses that may be forced to permanently shut down because of the pandemic.
"I think across the board, you're seeing a lot of small businesses struggling to navigate the pandemic, struggling to understand what their state regulations are, and then really waiting on the federal government to pass relief that will support them and help them," said Awesta Sarkasha, government affairs manager for Small Business Majority.
The explosive rise in infections began in October and is being blamed largely on people ignoring safety measures and socializing with others.
Under the measures, schools that are currently open can continue to provide in-person instruction. Retailers including supermarkets and shopping centers can operate with just 20% capacity while restaurant dining and hair and nail salons must close.
California's Department of Public Health imposed the order Saturday after intensive care unit capacity in Southern California and Central Valley hospitals fell below a 15% threshold. Five San Francisco Bay Area counties opted to do the same even before the state mandate kicks in for their region, and the measures there will last at least through Jan. 4, a week longer than the state's timeline.

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