Santa Maria City leaders working on plan to re-open businesses
SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Leaders move to begin the process of re-opening businesses for the first time since the shelter-at-home order took effect. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has appointed a group of business leaders to help with the process.
Among the people working on a plan is The Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce. City leaders are working on a proposal and task force to roll out the re-opening in several stages. Business leaders ask local companies to asses if they are ready to re-open and to be prepared for the new changes that are being implemented.
“You really have to step back and look at the business right now and say number one is it compliant? Is it safe for people to go back in? Number two is your business ready for an influx of clients or customers? Do you have enough inventory? Are your systems updated and ready to go," asked Farmers Insurance agent Jaime Flores. Flores has been appointed to help with the task force that will help business owners get ready for reopening.
The Chamber's plan will help businesses get relief, work the steps to re-open and then determine how to reinvent themselves post-COVID-19 shutdown.
The Chamber will also help business owners take steps to be resilient in hopes to survive the economic impact.
Santa Barbara County leaders have said they cannot re-open anything until Governor Gavin Newsom returns the control back to local counties. He created the shelter-in-home order last month. There is no word on when the governor may loosen restrictions.
