COVID Still Spreading

As of January 8, 2021, SLO County has seen a total of 12,891 cases of COVID-19 and 101 community members have died. With 3,112 current active cases in the county, more than 1 in 100 SLO County residents are currently infected with COVID-19. To keep our most vulnerable community members safe and to help get our businesses back open as quickly as possible, please don't gather, please wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance and get tested if you have been exposed. Know the symptoms of COVID-19. 

Vaccine Information

The County Public Health Department now has the capacity to vaccinate up to 3,250 people each week (650 people per day, five days per week) and is planning to open two more vaccine clinics later in January. The County is rapidly progressing through Phase 1a of vaccinations and anticipates being able to start vaccinating the next group of residents – including adults over 75 and critical infrastructure workers – by February, maybe sooner.  Check the County's Vaccine page for updates as more details become available. 

New Travel Advisory

Amid the current COVID-19 surge, it is imperative that California take steps necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 and contain new sources of infection.  The State issued the following recommendations, effective now, on January 6, 2021:

Non-Essential Travel  
1.    Except in connection with essential travel, Californians  should avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. Avoiding travel reduces the risk of virus transmission, including by reducing the risk that new sources of infection and, potentially, new virus strains will be introduced to California.

2.    Non-essential travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering California, and should adhere to the quarantine procedures set forth in Paragraph 3.

Quarantine Post-Travel
3.    All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries, should self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or to otherwise engage in emergency response. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders for essential travel.

More information

Contact Tracing Saves Lives

Contact tracing is a public health practice in which trained investigators follow up on each positive Covid-19 case to help provide assistance and to identify others who may have been exposed to the disease. They ask how the patients are doing, issue isolation orders, and help connect them with care and services, if needed. They also notify those who may have been exposed (without disclosing where or by whom), issue quarantine letters, provide instructions on monitoring for symptoms,  organize testing as appropriate, and other services if needed. Those at high risk also receive follow-up calls throughout the process.  All personal information, including names, are strictly protected. More info

Small Business Relief Grants

• Use Google Chrome to apply.
• Register Here for Q&A webinars hosted by Orange County and Norcal SBDC Networks. Daily starting January 6th.

• Application Certification:
  • Non-Profit Business | Click Here to Download
  • For-Profit Business | Click Here to Download
• Tax Returns
  • Non-Profit Business | IRS Form 990 filed (2019 or 2018)
  • For-Profit Business| Most recently filed
• Photo ID

• You will be notified by email when to log in to complete your unfinished application or upload requested documents.
  • Email will include a new password. Username will stay the same to login. This new password will replace any passwords used up to this point.

• Start a new application: Open Now until January 13th
• Update and upload documents for in-process applications: January 6– 13th

New closing date for Round 1: January 13th at 11:59 pm.
Apply Here

Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans

As part of an end-of-year pandemic relief package, Congress has passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Other changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans.  Read the guide

Childcare Supply Drive

The Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County, in collaboration with First 5 SLO County, Child Care Planning Council SLO County, and the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, has established a COVID-19 relief supply drive that will run through January 27, 2021. This supply drive will benefit more than 290 local child care programs, licensed to serve over 6000 children, that are experiencing devastating losses and mounting costs due to the pandemic. See how you can help

Food Resources

North County food and pantry services, free meal sites for kids and resources for homebound seniors.

• PRJUSD
• Countywide
• Food Bank Calendar
• Loaves & Fishes
• Meals for Homebound Seniors

Unemployment Insurance

In December 2020, the federal government passed legislation providing an additional 11 weeks of benefits. This is in addition to the additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits that was part of the CARES Act. The legislation also includes a $300 per week supplement to unemployment benefits.

Apply for benefits through the Employment Development Department.

Eviction Protection

Rent is still due and evictions can still occur. You may benefit from additional city or county protections against eviction depending on where you live. Visit Housing is Key for more information.

Mortgage Assistance

Utility Assistance

Many utility providers are not shutting off services due to non-payment. Check with the California Public Utilities Commission for more information.

The Water Board restricts the shut off of water during the COVID crisis. Report any water shutoff or reconnect issue at COVID-19 Water Shut-Off Complaint Report.

COVID-19 Updates

Because of the dynamic nature of the changes being announced as California, SLO County and Paso Robles are working together to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and hasten the reopening of businesses.  We have created a website that provides links to business and resident resources, County Public Health updates, volunteer opportunities, and more. Details

Sign up for our COVID-19 email updates here.

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