SAN ANSELMO BUSINESS UPDATE
March 24, 2021

County in Orange Tier Today

Marin County is now in the “orange” status tier in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The move from tier 2 or “substantial risk” status to the less restrictive tier 3 or “moderate risk” level is based on consecutive weeks of progress in Marin’s coronavirus case statistics. The primary changes allowed in San Anselmo under the state order:

Non-essential offices may reopen (but working remotely is still encouraged).
Retail & grocery stores: can expand indoor capacity to 100%.
Restaurants – indoor dining: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
Museums: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
Houses of worship: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
Weddings/funerals: can expand indoor capacity to 50% or 200 people (whichever is fewer).
Family recreation / entertainment facilities: can expand indoor capacity to 25%.
Gyms & fitness studios: can expand indoor capacity to 25% and reopen indoor pools.
Bars that do not serve food: can operate outdoors only.
Higher education: can expand indoor capacity to 50% for indoor lectures.

Changes to business sector guidelines are available on the Marin Recovers website or the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy website. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) assigns each county to a tier on a weekly basis based on two county-level factors: the total number of new cases, and the percent of new cases among those tested. A county must spend at least 21 days in any tier before advancing to a less restrictive one. As Marin experienced last year, counties have to tighten back up if conditions worsen.

While case rates have continued to improve over the past month, public health officials caution residents that more work is needed to achieve the next milestone. “The next four weeks are pivotal for us,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin’s Public Health Officer. “We saw an uptick in cases last week and with variant cases increasing, we don’t want to drop the ball before we reach the goal line. Letting your guard down puts us at risk of slipping backward. While pandemic fatigue is real, we must stay the course to help Marin reach tier 4.”

Public Health recommends mask wearing, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing when in public, and to considering testing prior to, and quarantining after, travel outside of the Bay Area. Free, same-day COVID-19 testing is available across the county, and anyone who comes into frequent contact with members of the public should consider getting tested at least once a month. See Public Health’s testing webpage for a list of locations.

Meanwhile, vaccinations continue throughout the county. Nearly 48% of Marin residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. See Public Health’s vaccination webpage for the latest information.

Follow the latest COVID-19 surveillance figures in Marin County on the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website. Register online to receive a daily COVID-19 update from Marin HHS.

Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Workers Impacted by the Pandemic

Late last week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 95, creating a statewide policy to ensure employees have access to COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave through September 30, 2021. Under the legislation, eligible employees can access up to 80 hours of paid sick leave, including those advised to quarantine or isolate and those caring for COVID-impacted family members.
SB 95 extends protections through September 30, 2021 and is retroactive to sick leave taken beginning January 1, 2021. Small businesses employing 25 or fewer workers are exempt from the legislation, but may offer supplemental paid sick leave and, if eligible, receive a federal tax credit.
For full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

Volunteer to be on the Economic Development Committee

The EDC is looking for new members! The EDC is an action-oriented group of local residents and business owners looking to ensure the Town business community is vibrant, successful and meets the needs of the Town residents. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 8:45 a.m. by Zoom. There are four openings on the EDC (two current members have reapplied). The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2021. Apply on line here.

Central Marin Police Enforcing Parking Time Limits

Please be aware that Central Marin Police Authority will be ticketing vehicles that have parked in excess of the posted time limits. Merchant Parking Permits are available from Central Marin Police Authority and allow you to park all day in a 4-hour zone. See other requirements on the form here and 4-hour zones here.

Update Your Contact Information with the Town

The EDC is currently working on improving two-way communication between the Town and San Anselmo businesses. In order to ensure the Town's business contact list is up to date and optimized with current contact and demographic information, the 2021 business license renewal form was revised to allow collection of this important information.

Business license renewal forms and payments are due by April 15, 2021. Thank you for taking the time to update your contact information.

Help Keep the Flower Baskets In Downtown San Anselmo

The San Anselmo Beautification Committee has launched its 2021 fundraising campaign to raise funds for the annual hanging flower basket program in the downtown. There are two ways you can contribute: 1.) donate by visiting the program's GO FUND ME PAGE,
or 2.) mail a check to San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 2844, San Anselmo, CA 94979
(please mark check for “baskets”)

For more information about the project, contact Nancy Altman at nnaltman@me.com

Financial Assistance for Residential Renters

Are you or your tenants or employees struggling to pay residential rent due to Covid-19? There’s a new program that can pay up to 80% of back rent due. It helps tenants who are struggling to pay their rent and helps landlords receive their rent checks. Apply here.

PPP Program Ends March 31

A reminder, the Paycheck Protection Program ends March 31st. If you have not submitted an application, now is the time. If you need help with applying or with the forgiveness part of it, the Marin Small Business Development Center team can assist. Please sign up here or call (415) 482-1819 to get connected to a SBDC Advisor. Information on PPP Program

Economic Development Committee Meeting April 13

Please join the EDC for their April meeting Tuesday April 13, 2021, at 8:45 a.m. by Zoom.
Zoom meeting link or call in: (669) 900-6833 Webinar ID: 849 1827 2568
Prior meetings may be viewed here.

San Anselmo Business Resource Center

Please visit San Anselmo's
Business Resource Center for information and links for COVID 19, business licenses, Town permitting and available business spaces.

SAN ANSELMO BUSINESS UPDATEMarch 24, 2021