San Marcos Chamber's COVID response

We're here to help.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has left many people uncertain and concerned about what precautions to take, and the implications in the workplace. We are closely monitoring Coronavirus and following the current guidance from the leading government and health authorities to ensure we are taking the right actions to protect our members, employees, and community.

If you are a business that has been adversely affected due to COVID-19, we want to help. Get in touch with us below and we’ll connect you directly to a Chamber team member who will listen and provide support.

Need help? Connect with us for support.

How we're helping

The following are ways we have helped our members and the community to date and will continue to help in the coming months. See the details below.

Waiving event registrations

With budget considerations top of mind, any relief can help. We’re offering free of charge admission to our virtual events for everyone.

Advocating for member businesses to reopen

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.

Encouraging best safety practices for reopening

Our Business Safety Promise Program helps business owners communicate their commitment to following all public health orders and guidelines to help protect their employees, customers and the community.

spotlighting opportunities that support business owners in pivoting or seeking aid

We understand that as a business owner you are busy and prioritizing accurate information is a must. We vet our sources daily for only the most relevant news.

LATEST UPDATE

August 13, 2020

Cal State San Marcos will host a San Diego County-operated, no-appointment walk-up coronavirus testing site beginning Monday, Aug. 10, expanding critical testing services to North County residents.
  • Opening: Monday, August 10th.
  • Hours of Operation: 7 days a week, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Location: Viasat Engineering Pavilion, at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos
  • Parking: Free parking provided in Lot F (campus map)
  • Testing information: Tests do not require physician referral and are conducted by a County nurse. Wait times will vary with visitors served on a first-come, first-served basis. The test itself will take 5-10 minutes.
  • Testing Cost: Free
  • Availability: Tests are available to the general public, they are not limited to CSUSM affiliated individuals.

July 27, 2020

No COVID-19 Testing Required Before Employees Can Go Back to Work. Based on new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is no longer recommended that employers require employees who tested positive for COVID-19 to be tested again before they can return to work. The CDC test-based strategy is no longer recommended to determine when to discontinue home isolation, except in certain circumstances. Please see the Employee Flowchart for Non-healthcare Personnel to determine what to do in the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19.
Applications are still being accepted for the Small Business Stimulus Grant Program from the County of San Diego to provide economic assistance to local small business and restaurant owners suffering financial losses due to COVID-19.

July 1, 2020

Access the weekly COVID-19 surveillance report published by the County of San Diego  June 16, 2020 San Marcos launches new COVID-19 Business Economic Recovery Plan loaded with tools and resources to help business owners prepare to reopen when they are ready. 
June 2, 2020
Apply for a Temporary Outdoor Business Permit San Diego County and California public health officials have issued an update to the Public Health Orders. Updates to San Marcos Public Counters and Parks & Recreation

May 28, 2020

City of San Marcos eases rules to allow businesses to temporarily expand outdoor uses Access the template to submit your Safe Reopening Plan here: link Ready to Reopen: A Playbook for Your Small Business by the U.S. Chamber

RESOURCES

Business Owners Affected by COVID-19

California Bank Trust*

Cal Private Bank*

Frontwave Credit Union*

Homestreet Bank*

Navy Federal Credit Union

San Diego County Credit Union

Torrey Pines Bank*

These loans may be used by small businesses to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and additional bills that can’t be paid because of COVID-19’s impact.

Apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Industry-specific resources

  • CDC. The CDC has created individual guideline documents for numerous industries that are uniquely impacted by COVID-19, including educational institutions, public health/healthcare professionals, veterinary clinics, retirement communities and more. You can view and search all CDC guidance documents here.
  • American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). The AIHA has also created detailed industry guidelines for sectors like at-home service providers, construction workers, gyms, salons, retailers, restaurants and others as they plan their return to work. As a professional association for occupational health and safety science professionals, the AIHA has developed all guidelines for its Back to Work Safely initiative with special industrial health considerations in mind.