RivCo COVID-19 Update - Week of June 8

More businesses may now reopen in Riverside County as part of the statewide reopening process. All community members are urged to practice caution whenever they leave their homes. Cases have risen faster in Riverside County since reopening efforts have been underway. While this is an expected outcome of reopening, residents must continue to keep six feet of space between others, wear face coverings and repetitively wash their hands when they are in the public. 

Business owners should take all necessary precautions to protect their employees, clients and customers from coronavirus. Residents are strongly encouraged to do business with places that are taking these precautions as it will make a big impact on their health and the health of their loved ones.

For detailed information on Riverside County’s guidance and links to industry-specific guidance, visit RivCoBizHelp.org. The local guidance was created by the Riverside County Economic Recovery Task Force, which includes local business industry and labor leaders.

Cases continue to rise in Riverside County

Visit the public health coronavirus website for all the latest stats on confirmed coronavirus cases, deaths, recoveries and total tests given.

Cases are rising in Riverside County. This means that residents and business owners should not let up on taking all appropriate steps to protect themselves from getting the disease and spreading it to others.

1. Limit activity in businesses and places where people gather
2. Visit businesses that have taken safety steps to protect employees and customers
3. Keep six feet of distance from others when in public
4. Wear a face covering in public
5. Wash your hands constantly

Get tested for coronavirus at free community test site

Riverside County is calling on all residents, of all ages and regardless of symptoms, to get tested for coronavirus. It’s free. It’s easy. And it’s needed because it shows that we are healthy county.

Testing shows where the disease is presently at in Riverside County – and where it is not.

Make an appointment to get tested today. Click here to see the nearest location to you, and how to make an appointment.

County Administrative Center to reopen June 15

The County Administrative Center, along with many other county buildings, will reopen to the public on Monday, June 15. Residents will be asked if they are feeling well or have any COVID-like symptoms and strongly encouraged to wear face coverings before entering county buildings. Face coverings will be made available to anyone without one. County employees will also be asked health screening questions and required to wear a face covering while at work.

When someone reports symptoms, residents will be directed to conduct their business over the phone or online. These virtual methods have allowed the county to continue to conduct business throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Employees reporting symptoms will be sent home until cleared to return to work.

Other county facilities will vary on dates of opening to the public. Community members are encouraged to call ahead to determine if the facility they plan to visit is open to the public.

Riverside County small business grants open NOW

With the assistance of the county’s Economic Recovery Taskforce, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to hand out $45 million in grant funding to aid small businesses enduring hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic. The program is open to small businesses based in cities and unincorporated communities of Riverside County. These businesses must apply online.

The grant will provide up to $10,000 in assistance to individual businesses. Approximately 96 percent of businesses in Riverside County are small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The small business grants are intended to promote business sustainability, job retention, and the overall economic preservation of small businesses throughout the county.

Applications will be accepted and recommended for grant approval based on meeting requirements. Available funding is limited. The awarded businesses will be chosen by an automated random selection process by Main Street Launch, a third-party nonprofit.

Grants are not available to businesses that have received other federal assistance such as the Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan or the Paycheck Protection Program. Awardees must also develop and implement a safe reopening plan that addresses employee and customer health prior to disbursement.

Click here to apply.

Stretched nonprofits to receive financial support during economic uncertainty

This week the Riverside County Board of Supervisors moved to provide up to $5 million in additional financial support to the nonprofit community, which are increasingly being stretched by higher demands for service and a reduction in revenue. 

Nonprofits may apply throughout the month of July for grants ranging between $2,500 - $10,000, depending upon need and overall demand. There are currently 7,511 nonprofits registered in Riverside County and 5,331 nonprofits who recently filed tax returns. These nonprofits employ more than 69,000 employees in the Inland Empire.

More information on how to apply will be made available as we get closer to July 1.

Rental Relief Fund to launch in June for renters and landlords 

Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of a Rental Relief Fund using a total of $30 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding to support renters and property owners financially impacted by the pandemic.

An individual may receive up to $3,500 in relief for rent. Two nonprofits will administer the program, Lift to Rise in the Coachella Valley will oversee 35 percent of the funding distributions and United Way Inland Valleys in Western Riverside County will oversee the remaining 65 percent. These nonprofit allocations are based on population.

The County of Riverside continues to work diligently on developing the program that is expected to launch by the end of June. More information will be announced when the application period opens.

Meal and food support available

No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Residents of all ages – children out of school and seniors more vulnerable to the disease – need help finding food sites.

In response to an increased demand for resources, Riverside County created an online map to connect residents to food resources. Food Access gives directions to local senior meal sites, school district meal sites and food pantries within a 10-mile radius. The map also includes relevant details such as hours of operation, contact information and special populations served.

As COVID-19 continues to cause uncertainty in the job market, many local organizations have introduced temporary food pantries. Riverside County employees keep in contact with local food providers to ensure the map’s accuracy. The Food Access map is available online here and with the RivCoMobile app (available on iOS and Android).