|
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, our office has pulled together a resource and information guide. $$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
A newsletter from the Office of Council Member Lane Santa Cruz
|
Coronavirus Resource and Information Guide
|
|
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, our office has pulled together a resource and information guide. This is in no way exhaustive, and information and availability of resources is constantly changing. To reiterate the recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control, if you are feeling sick, stay home except to get medical care. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. Thank you to all who continue to share resources daily.
|
HotlinesCOVID-19 STATE HOTLINE
1-844-542-8201 A COVID-19 hotline has been set up to answer any questions from the public and healthcare providers about testing, symptoms, and any other questions you have about the virus. Call 1-844-542-8201 to reach a health care professional. CITY SERVICE IMPACTS HOTLINE
(520) 791-2540 The City Service Impacts Hotline is now active at (520) 791-2540. Please call with questions about how city business is being conducted during this community emergency. Call takers are available for both English and Spanish speakers.
|
Ward 1 Office ClosureFor the safety of our community and neighbors the Ward 1 office will be temporarily closed. We will still be taking calls and checking our emails regularly. Please do not hesitate to call or email if you have any questions or concerns. 520.791.4040 Ward1@tucsonaz.gov Mayor Romero’s Declaration of EmergencyOn March 17, Mayor Regina Romero proclaimed a local emergency to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and provide essential protections to Tucson residents, including those who are most vulnerable to infection. The proclamation, which is effective from March 17 at 8:00 p.m. to March 31 at 11:59 p.m., includes the following measures: All restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, retail food facilities, and other similar businesses and establishments are prohibited from serving food and beverages for consumption on premises. However, businesses are encouraged to offer food and beverages using delivery service, window service, drive-through service, or drive-up service. If a business or establishment does not have this ability, then members of the public are permitted on its premise for the purpose of picking up their order. Bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs, and other similar businesses and establishments offering alcoholic beverages or spirituous liquor for consumption on premises are closed to use and occupancy by members of the public. Theaters, cinemas, indoor and outdoor performance venues, museums, gymnasiums, fitness centers recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, yoga and barre studios, bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor climbing or jumping/bouncing facilities, skating rinks, and other similar recreational or entertainment facilities are closed to use and occupancy by members of the public.
Pima County Declares State of EmergencyOn March 19, the Pima County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency that addresses facilities in the unincorporated county. Governor Ducey Announces Latest COVID-19 ActionsArizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued a series of executive orders that included activating the National Guard to help grocery stores and food banks restock shelves in the face of heightened demand; halting all elective surgeries in Arizona; delaying the expiration dates on Arizona Driver Licenses, and requiring restaurants in Arizona counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases to provide dine-out options only, and that all bars, movie theaters, and gyms in those counties close. Under the declaration, restaurants will be allowed to deliver alcoholic beverages with the purchase of food. Los Reales Landfill No Longer Accepting Cash Until Further Notice
Until further notice the Los Reales Landfill will no longer be accepting cash payments at the Los Reales Landfill. Credit cards, debit cards, checks, or rechargeable cash cards will be accepted as payment. Changes to Transit ServicesBeginning Saturday, March 21, 2020, the City of Tucson will waive the fares on Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van. These changes are in effect through the end of March, at which point it will be reevaluated. Sun Link Streetcar will reduce hours of operation to end its route at 10 p.m. on Thursdays, and at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. However, Sun Tran and Sun Express are currently operating our normal bus schedules. Spring Break Camp for Kids Still ScheduledThe YMCA of Southern Arizona will continue to offer Spring Break Camp during the week of March 23-27. Registration for those camps is still open and is on a first-come, first-served basis for working families, prioritizing service for health care workers, first responders, and those who provide vital services to our community. City Court ClosesAll City of Tucson courtrooms are closed with the limited exceptions. UtilitiesSouthwest Gas, Tucson Electric Power, and Tucson Water are all suspending service disconnections until further notice. Downtown Tucson Partnership, Park Tucson Partner to Support Restaurants, BusinessesDowntown Tucson Partnership has posted a list of food and drink establishments offering pickup and/or delivery. To make it more convenient for customers, Park Tucson has set up free 15-minute designated parking spots throughout downtown for visitors ordering takeout. The web page also features links to online shopping, fitness and wellness locations, and a list of organizations that people can donate to during the restrictions caused by coronavirus concerns.
|
Food SecurityPima County Pantry DirectoryThe Pima County Pantry Directory for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a directory of different pantries around Tucson and southern Arizona. Hours and closings are changing daily, so please contact individual locations first.
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
|
|
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s new hours at the Country Club location, are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. They are closed Sat/Sun/Mon. |
|
If you are healthy and able, please help by volunteering to pack emergency food boxes. The Community Food Bank URGENTLY needs volunteers to keep operations running. Email volunteer@communityfoodbank.org to get started.
|
School Grab-and-Go Lunch and Breakfast MealsGovernor Doug Ducey and Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced a statewide closure of Arizona schools from Monday, March 16, 2020 through Friday, March 27, 2020. However, many school districts, including Tucson Unified School District and Sunnyside Unified School District, are offering grab-and-go breakfast and lunch. Tucson Unified School District Starting March 23, TUSD is offering free Grab-and-Go Mobilized Meals across via 12 bus routes making stops at 113 locations throughout the city between 10 am and 1 pm, Monday through Friday. |
|
|
Sunnyside Unified School District Starting March 23, SUSD is offering free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch to all children ages 1-18. Pick up is available Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. SUSD Locations Craycroft Elementary School, 5455 E. Littletown Road Drexel Elementary School, 801 E. Drexel Road Elvira Elementary School, 250 W. Elvira Road Los Amigos Technology Academy, 2200 E. Drexel Road Mission Manor Elementary School, 600 W. Santa Rosa Street
Please note that per Federal Meal Program requirements, children must be present to receive meals. Meals cannot be provided for additional children that are not present. These free meals are free to all children 18 and under. There are no eligibility requirements.
|
Hygiene and Social DistancingAs recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Pima County Health Department, we can’t emphasis enough the importance of washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, trying as hard as possible to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and social distancing. If you are sick, or even experiencing mild symptoms, please stay home.
|
Financial ResourcesFor help with paying rent or utilities follow this link to Tucson 211 where you can find a list of agencies supporting families financially. Small Local Business StabilizationFrom your favorite neighborhood restaurant to the local farmers markets and community retailers, Arizona’s small businesses need our support now more than ever before. Some ways to help are by purchasing gift certificates and vouchers to use at a later date. Use takeout or curbside delivery at local restaurants. Call and inquire about curbside pickup for other commercial goods.
|
|
Word of mouth is also a no-cost way to support small businesses and it goes a long way! Like, share, and comment on the social media posts by local businesses. Repost or forward updates provided by business owners. Visit their website, read their articles, and use their affiliate links. Leave them great reviews. Refer clientele to these establishments so that local businesses can bounce back from these challenges sooner. Even words of encouragement mean a lot. |
|
Word of mouth is also a no-cost way to support small businesses and it goes a long way! Like, share, and comment on the social media posts by local businesses. Repost or forward updates provided by business owners. Visit their website, read their articles, and use their affiliate links. Leave them great reviews. Refer clientele to these establishments so that local businesses can bounce back from these challenges sooner. Even words of encouragement mean a lot. |
|
Recommendations for Local Business OwnersEffective strategies that can help local business owners in times of economic challenge during the COVID-19 outbreak are as follows: Proactively share important information with your customers using email, your website, Facebook page, Instagram business profile, or however you typically connect. Offer gift certificates that can be issued via email for your customer’s future use. In case you need to postpone or cancel any planned events as a result of the outbreak, try hosting a webinar or organizing live sessions on free social network platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. Offer curbside pick up for food or other commercial goods. If possible, establish a work from home policy. Actively encourage employees to use sick leave - ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance, and that employees are aware of these policies. Separate sick employees - Separate employees that appear to have respiratory illness, and send sick employees home right away. Perform routine environmental cleaning. For more information, a free COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guide E-Book is available from the Women’s Business Enterprise Council and MYCA Learning. Take advantage of federal assistance.
Resources for Local Business OwnersFunding Resources US Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance The Small Business Administration recently approved the state's request to allow Arizona businesses to apply for disaster assistance loans. Individual businesses who apply can be eligible for up to $2 million through the program. Government Resources
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
OSHA Guidance for COVID-19 Control & Prevention
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Updates
World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Outbreak Information
Industry Resources National Restaurant Association COVID-19 Info & Resources
United States Bartenders Guild COVID Relief and Response Information
National Restaurant Association COVID-19 Info & Resources
United States Bartenders Guild COVID Relief and Response Information
Another Round Another Rally (Hospitality Industry Non-Profit Digital Resources Manage your Business Digitally
City of Tucson Webinar: Navigating the Impacts of COVID-19 for Small Businesses’
Free Online Business Webinars Local First Arizona has additional resources on their website as well as the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce.
|
|
|
|
|
