SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order during a virtual conference that would allow local governments to halt evictions for those who are affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Monday.
“People shouldn’t lose or be forced out of their home because of the spread of COVID-19,” Newsom said in a news release. “Over the next few weeks, everyone will have to make sacrifices, but a place to live shouldn’t be one of them.”
The executive order would not let you off the hook from paying rent, according to the governor’s office’s news release. Newsom’s executive order would also not restrict landlords from collecting rent that is due. Newsom said that the executive order would last at least May 31.
The order also aims to slow down foreclosure and protect Californians against utility shutoffs.
Newsom asked the California Public Utilities Commission to monitor the actions of public and private utility providers to see if they are providing customer service protections for utilities that include electric, gas, water, internet, landline and cell phone service every week.
Newsom also announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans of up to $2 million for both for-profit and non-profit businesses that are impacted by the coronavirus. Newsom said California is the first state to request from the Small Business Association emergency disaster relief.
For-profit businesses would be charged 3.75% while non-profit organizations would be charged 2.75%. Newsom said that some businesses would be given up to 30 years to pay off the loans.
Newsom’s announcement for loans to businesses comes the day after he called for all bars, nightclubs, and brewpubs to close in an effort to reduce the number of coronavirus cases.
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Coronavirus background
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
The CDC also says facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of the virus. If you’re not sick, you do not have to wear a facemask. The CDC says the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low.
For a list of counties that could apply for this relief, click here.
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