COVID-19 May 21 Update
Dear SODO Businesses, The SODO BIA continue to closely track the impacts of COVID-19. As we navigate this difficult time we will continue to share resources, news, and services that you may find helpful. We understand the concern and impacts of the COVID-19 on our SODO community and are here to help and support in any way we can. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 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 _______________________________________________________________________ |
Directive to wear face coverings Starting on May 18, 2020, King County residents are directed to wear face coverings in most public settings. Wear a face covering when you are at any indoor or outdoor public space where you may be within 6 feet of someone who does not live with you. Everyone is strongly urged to wear face coverings in places such as: Stores that sell food and beverages (including: grocery stores, pharmacies, corner stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, big box stores that sell groceries, and similar places that sell food). Retail stores (including: convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair shops, hardware and home improvement stores, garden stores that sell supplies for growing food, office supply stores, and home appliance stores). Restaurant take-out and food businesses. Employees who prepare, carry out, and deliver food must wear masks. Cannabis shops and stores that sell dietary supplements. Tobacco and vapor shops. Buses, light rail, and other forms of public transportation. A face covering is not needed when you are outside walking, exercising, sitting at the park, etc. if you are able to regularly stay arms’ length away from other people. Use cloth face coverings. Do not use medical masks.Wear fabric face coverings, such as cloth face masks, scarves, and bandanas. The face covering must fit over your nose and mouth. It is important to save medical-grade surgical masks and N95 respirators for healthcare workers and people who have special health needs. Click Here for More Information! _______________________________________________________________________ |
| Criminals Exploiting COVID-19 To Commit Unemployment Fraud City, State and Federal law enforcement are currently investigating a widespread fraud campaign in which victims’ identities are being used to file false unemployment claims. Victims, who have not filed unemployment claims, have received notification from their employer’s Human Resources department, or the Washington State Employment Securities Department, indicating an unemployment claim has been filed on their behalf. SPD’s cyber-crime investigators are recommending the steps for anyone who knows, or believes, they are a victim of unemployment fraud. Click Here for More Information _______________________________________________________________________ |
 Sound Transit Updates – Reduced fare options will accompany June 1 reintroduction of fares on Link and Sounder Below, you’ll find the latest information on reduced fare options that will accompany a reintroduction of fares on Link and Sounder starting June 1st. This change will coincide with service being added to Link light rail. To read more, you’ll find the full press release online. Recovery Fares Effective June 1, Sound Transit will offer temporarily reduced Recovery Fares in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 as the agency re-introduces fares on Link light rail and Sounder. For now Sound Transit Express buses will continue to remain fare-free on a temporary basis to enable rear-door boarding to protect bus operators. The Recovery Fares come as the region prepares for the next phases of recovery and the expected gradual return of riders. The fare of $1 on Link and $2 on Sounder will be available from ticket vending machines through June 30. During this period, Sound Transit will redouble its promotion of ORCA Lift, a reduced-fare program that gives income-qualified riders discounts of up to 66% on Sound Transit and other regional agencies’ services. Passengers can now qualify apply for ORCA Lift online or over the phone without having to visit a processing site. In addition to ticket vending machines, Recovery Fare tickets will be available on a contact-free basis through the Transit GO Ticket app. ORCA cards will continue to be charged full fare and can be used for transfers, while Recovery Fare paper tickets and Transit GO tickets cannot be used for transfers. Service on Link light rail Also effective June 1, service on Link will increase, with trains running every 20 minutes during the day until after the p.m. peak. Link will continue to run every 30 minutes during evenings and on weekends. Riders will find the latest schedule information at www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/changes-affect-my-ride/reduced-service and via rider alerts, which they can sign up to receive electronically. Please note, during the COVID-19 response, electronic resources such as Google maps, One Bus Away and other applications and websites won’t have accurate information for all trips, including service reductions affecting other agencies. _______________________________________________________________________ |
SODO Steps Up Spotlights Blazing Bagels As a thank you to the brave first responders protecting our communities, the Blazing Bagels team delivered boxes full of RIZZer and Mr. & Mrs. a Bulldog bagel sandwiches to Seattle Police & Fire stations on Friday. ______________________________________________________________________ |
SODO Businesses are Open! During these difficult times, many SODO Businesses have adjusted how they do work. We wanted to share a few ways our businesses are adjusting while also helping support our community. Check out our website for a comprehensive list of Open SODO Businesses! _______________________________________________________________________ |
| OED Providing Assistance to Small Businesses Applying for SBA Disaster Loans The Office of Economic Development provides technical assistance to businesses applying for SBA loans and understanding the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aids, Relief & Security). This includes helping businesses navigate the application process and documentation. For general inquiries, please email OED@seattle.gov or call 206-684-8090. When you call you may reach a live person or a voicemail. If you reach the voicemail, please tell them: Your name Phone number The language you need in English What support you need If you need language assistance, either a bilingual staff member will call you back, or we will call in a third-party interpreter on the phone to assist with the conversation. Please note that many people are calling us for help, so expect long wait times. You may also experience a wait time while connecting to an interpreter. _______________________________________________________________________ |
Business and Non-Profit Economic Outlook Survey Our friends at the Downtown Seattle Association have been busy working on a new survey to better understand the economic outlook for businesses and nonprofits as the city and state begin the process of reopening our economy. There are a number of COVID-related surveys out there, but this is city-wide, covering some new territory and only takes about 4 minutes to complete and we’d like to make sure that all industries and businesses are represented in this survey. Information gathered in this survey will help inform policy, advocacy, and our collective understanding of the impact of the coronavirus on different Seattle industries and perspectives on re-opening. They intend to repeat this survey over the course of the coming months.The information gathered will be aggregated, and any attribution to a specific business/individual will be held confidential. Aggregated results will be shared in June. Complete the Survey Here! _______________________________________________________________________ |
Sign-up for COVID Alerts You can now sign-up for COVID-specific weekly updates through AlertSeattle. Text COVID to 67283 or update your preferences by logging in to your existing account. _______________________________________________________________________ |
OED Small Business COVID-19 Weekly Webinar As COVID-19 is a rapidly developing issue, OED will be holding weekly calls to share new developments, hear about the impacts you are experiencing, and answer your questions. Please join every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Register here – View notes and recordings from previous webinars _______________________________________________________________________ |