COVID-19 March 26 Update
As many of you may have seen, Monday evening, Governor Inslee announced his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order that bans all gatherings of people for social, recreational and spiritual purposes in public and closes all “non-essential” businesses for a minimum of two weeks. You can read more about the Governor’s order on his website. Effective for at least two weeks, the Governor’s order requires that: All Washington residents must stay home unless they are pursuing essential activities like getting food, going to a doctor’s appointment, or performing essential work functions. All gatherings for social, recreational, or spiritual purposes are prohibited. People can still participate in activities like bike rides, gardening, and dog walking — as long as they follow social distancing rules. Restaurants can remain open for to-go, delivery, and curbside pickup. All non-essential businesses must close unless employees can work from home. Many businesses still find this information is a bit confusing. Here is a great article that explains what the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Order really means. Check it out. We will continue to have a presence in SODO and will conduct daily drive arounds to keep track of the situation here in SODO, and be available by phone and email. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Let us know if you are having any issues with applications or accessing resources, we can help. We are here for any issues you may come across! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns, please contact me at erin@sodoseattle.org _______________________________________________________________________ |
City of Seattle, Greater Seattle Partners, and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Distribute Survey open until March 31 Last week we shared a survey from the City of Seattle, Greater Seattle Partners, and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce hoping to further capture the effects of COVID-19 on businesses and nonprofits. If you have not had an opportunity to complete the survey, please take a few minutes to complete this survey as it will inform strategies for recovery and development. It will remain open until March 31. For businesses and non-profits interested in completing the survey, go to, www.greater-seattle.com/economic-impact-survey. Initial quantitative data and qualitative information shows that small businesses, non-profit organizations, arts, and workers in the Seattle region are experiencing significant negative financial impacts due to the COVID-19. Local businesses and non-profits have reported 50 – 90 percent revenue losses, laid off employees, reduced hours, temporary or permanent closures, xenophobia, and major declines in foot traffic as tens of thousands of people are being asked to work from home and practice social distancing. Industries that are most impacted include retail, restaurants and hospitality, transportation and logistics, as well as arts, large festivals and cultural events. _______________________________________________________________________ |
ICYMI: City of Seattle Urges Residents and Businesses to Continue to Visit Community Resource Page to Help People Experiencing Significant Disruptions due to COVID-19 New resource page includes information about financial support for workers and businesses, food relief programs, volunteer opportunities and more. To help communities significantly impacted by COVID-19 in Seattle, the City of Seattle created a new centralized website where residents can find information about relief programs offered by the City, the County and the State. This site pulls together resources for workers, artists, small businesses, non-profits, parents, homeowners, and community members to make it easier for City of Seattle residents to find assistance during this unprecedented public health crisis. You can visit the statewide website here. Currently, the site contains information about programs related to healthcare, food, utilities (including electricity, water, sewer, garbage, and internet), unemployment benefits, tax deferment, home education, small business stabilization, and more. The Mayor’s Office also plans to roll out an interactive map for small businesses as part of the City’s #SupportSeattleSmallBiz campaign in the near future. As more resources become available, the site will be updated. |
Check out the website here _______________________________________________________________________ |
Request for Personal Protective Equipment The Mayor’s Office is partnering with Goodwill Industries, Labor union partners, Public Health–Seattle & King County, and the Washington State Department of Health to coordinate the collection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for distribution to those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. They have set up a survey site (HERE) to solicit donations–supplies needed at this time include new and unused N95, P100 and surgical masks, gloves, disposable gowns, eyewear, and more. Upon receiving a donation through the survey form, City employees will follow up with the donor to determine the best route for drop-off or pick-up of donations. All supplies collected will be relocated to a centralized facility in the SODO neighborhood provided by a private company as a collection point. If you have any additional questions about the City’s effort, you can reach out at PPEdonations@seattle.gov. |
Donate Personal Protective Equipment Here _______________________________________________________________________ |
Guidance for Spirits, Beer, Wine Restaurants Temporary Expansion of Curbside Sales and Delivery of Alcohol to Accompany “To-Go Food Sales To ensure effective social distancing, and to reduce the number of contacts and number of locations a customer needs to go, the LCB will temporarily allow Spirits, Beer, Wine Restaurant license holders to sell closed, manufacturer-sealed, bottles or cans of beer, wine and spirits – in combination with the sale of to-go food or by delivery. This change only applies to sales of alcohol that includes the purchase of food. Liquor sales without food purchases are not included or allowed under this temporary allowance, which is in effect for the duration of the Governor’s proclamation temporarily banning on-premises dining. Beer, Wine, Spirit Restaurant licensees will be allowed to (make curbside and/or delivery sales) of alcohol under the following conditions: Curbside service: -Beer must be in growlers, kegs, or factory sealed bottles and cans. -Wine must be in factory sealed bottles. -Spirits must be in factory sealed bottles. Delivery -Delivery of beer to include non-factory sealed cider crowlers, jugs or other similar, non-factory sealed containers is allowed. -Delivery of malt liquor in kegs or other containers capable of holding four gallons or more liquid is allowed, provided that kegs or containers are factory sealed and that the keg sales requirements (see WAC 314-02-115) are followed. ~Beer must be in factory sealed bottles, cans, or kegs holding 4 or more gallons. ~Wine must be in factory sealed bottles. ~Spirits must be in factory sealed bottles. -Delivery or curbside sales of bottles of spirits is allowed when purchased with a meal / food These changes must be implemented along with COVID-19 health protection measures from the CDC guidance and Governor Inslee’s Proclamation for retail establishments. Additional Information -LCB will continue to update the LCB website with information on changes for LCB licensees. -Washington’s COVID-19 web portal at coronavirus.wa.gov is a reliable source for information. _______________________________________________________________________ |
Guidance for Cannabis Licensees During COVID-19 Restrictions As communicated previously, the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has been working quickly to consider steps the agency can take to help licensees throughout this period of business restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are making some temporary modifications to allow businesses to act quickly and minimize their impacts on disease transmission. Guidance for Cannabis Licenses: Effective Immediately Curbside Service ~Applies to: Cannabis Retailers At this time, cannabis producers, processors and retailers are considered essential and not required to close due to the coronavirus restrictions. However, to promote social distancing, the LCB is temporarily expanding curbside sales beyond qualified medical patients to allow sales to all adult customers as long as certain restrictions are in place. This is an option in addition to mandatory measures for retail establishments set forth by Gov. Inslee and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Restrictions -Drive-thru windows are not allowed; -IDs must be checked — no one in the car may be less than 21 years of age; -Curbside sales areas must be stationary and physically designated on the leasehold property, preferably as close to the building as possible. Examples of physical designations for curbside service include: -Tape or painted parking spots for vehicle parking; -Cones or signage for vehicle parking; -Where possible, video cameras should be monitoring and recording the designated sales area; -Outdoor sales from a tent or kiosk are not allowed. Taxes, Fees and Penalties In addition, the LCB is actively pursuing deferment and a waiver of the penalties for late payment of taxes. Taxes would still be due but could be paid late without penalties. This will require a proclamation from the Governor. More on this soon. _______________________________________________________________________ |