How are businesses near campus doing?
April 13, 2020
As the CSUN campus remains closed, Los Angeles County has ordered the shut down of non-essential businesses such as gyms, salons, theatres and shopping centers on March 19. Exceptions to the closures include restaurants, pharmacies, food banks, gas stations and grocery stores, which will remain open to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom urged residents to stay home and ordered the closure of non-essential businesses to reduce the spread of the virus.
In order to remain open, several restaurants have closed their dine-in seating areas. To ensure the health and safety of their employees and customers, restaurants such as Waba Grill, Fishbowl Poke Co., Hot Wok Cafe, and Lum-Ka-Naad on Reseda and Nordhoff remain open for take out, delivery and phone orders.
As authorities continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, and residents follow stay-at-home orders, many businesses struggle to remain open.
Last week, Delicious Bakery announced on social media that they will close temporarily for the month of April.
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“We had tried our best to do the right thing for our employees and customers, but under the circumstances it is better we all be safe and close,” a notice on the bakery’s entrance door states.
In preparation of closing for a month, employee Jessica Estrada said they cleared their shelves by donating their remaining products to firefighters and youth detention centers around the area.
Concerns involving vandalism have increased as workplaces are temporarily unstaffed. Great Clips hair salon will be closed until further notice. The salon has placed a notice, stating that equipment, products, supplies and cash in their registers have been removed.
The notice states, “There is nothing to loot so please don’t cause anymore hardship by breaking in. This property is also under 24-hour surveillance.”
Flame Broiler on Reseda has closed and placed a notice that said, “Due to the coronavirus, we are uncertain when we will be able to go back to normal business hours. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We hope you and your loved ones are remaining safe.”
Starbucks Coffee has switched to drive-thru only. California Chicken Cafe has implemented a curbside pickup. Its customers can order on their app or over the phone and pick up their food without leaving their vehicles.
Both the World Health Organization and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have issued guidance on preparing a workplace for COVID-19, as well as tips for preventing the spread of the virus and reducing the risk of exposure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers cleaning and disinfection recommendations for businesses and employees. The CDC recommends businesses to take precautions such as washing hands after handling various items, wearing disposable gloves to clean and disinfect surfaces, and display hand sanitizing dispensers in prominent places to ensure the health and safety of its employees and customers.
Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Christopher C. Krebs laid out federal advice for critical infrastructure workforces in a memorandum published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“While adhering to relevant public health guidance, critical infrastructure owners and operators are expected to use their own judgement on issues of the prioritization of business processes and workforce allocation to best ensure continuity of the essential goods and services they support,” the document states. “All decisions should appropriately balance public safety, the health and safety of the workforce, and the continued delivery of essential critical infrastructure services and functions.”
As residents continue to follow state orders, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti also suggested that residents continue supporting independent businesses to prevent them from going under.
“I encourage all Angelenos to help support these critical small businesses, the restaurants we love in our neighborhoods,” Garcetti said in a press conference on March 16, “by continuing to order from them or getting pick up or delivery.”
Face mask requirements took effect in Los Angeles on April 10, which requires employees and customers to wear face masks coverage while at the business.
Garcetti said an essential business can refuse service to those not adhering to those mandatory orders.
“This is not negotiable,” Garcetti said. “Wearing these (masks) on the street is something that will help us all, to control that spread. Most importantly when you go to a grocery store, keep those front line workers from getting sick.”
