Local agencies seek to help the public deal with coronavirus crisis

Coronavirus photo courtesy CDC

By Staff Report

The coronavirus spreading across the globe has an impact on large industries like airline, auto makers and cruise line. But closer to home, it is impacting South Valley residents in numerous ways other than justs sheltering and working from home. Here are other items in the news relating to the coronavirus impact on residents in the South Valley:

Eviction Moratorium

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted March 24 to halt evictions that would displace families and businesses as a direct result of COVID-19. All cities within the county, including Morgan Hill, are included in the evictions ban. The moratorium on evictions takes effect immediately and lasts through May 31.

Property Taxes

Property owners can take advantage of the partial payment program and make multiple partial payments on the installment due. Visit the county’s website for more information including how to submit a request for a penalty waiver.

Health and Wellness

In an effort to support your mental health and wellness, the County Behavioral Health Service Department has developed some information sheets to help you cope effectively during these times.

Work Sharing Program

Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.

Volunteer, Paid Opportunities

  • The Health Trust is looking for drivers for Meals on Wheels. This is a paid position. You need to be 18 years old with a driver’s license and your own vehicle.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank needs volunteers to pre-box and deliver food to the community.

Business Resources

The city of Morgan Hill, the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Association, and Visit Morgan Hill are all committed to doing what we can to support our business community during these uncertain times. We are focused on providing information and resources available to our business community. To better understand the range of impact COVID-19 is having in our local business community, we are asking businesses to respond to this COVID-19 Morgan Hill Business Impact survey. In addition, the City is continuously updating information for businesses and employees on the City website.

Transportation

Valley Transportation Authority is prioritizing essential service to hospitals, health care facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores, food banks, shelters, and other essential destinations during this time of extraordinary caution.

Effective March 30 until further notice, VTA will operate reduced bus and rail service and not collect fares. Bus and light rail service will end at 9 p.m. with the exception of Route 22 which will continue to operate continuously. Visit the VTA website to learn more.

Utilities

To assist Morgan Hill residents and businesses during these uncertain times, the city will not assess late penalties nor terminate services due to delinquency during April. Officials ask customers to reach out to Utility Billing for more information or request a payment arrangement.

PG&E

PG&E has implemented a moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment. This suspension will apply to both residential and commercial customers and will remain in effect until further notice.

To further support customers who may be impacted by the pandemic, PG&E will offer its most flexible pay plans to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19. More information can be found at www.pge.com.