Free COVID-19 Assurance Program Launches
August 19, 2020 1:49 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Today, the Santa Monica Shines COVID-19 Assurance Program launches, providing businesses with a new resource to navigate the changed business environment due to COVID-19. The program affirms Santa Monica's commitment to implementing LA County Department of Public Health Reopening Guidelines and provides assurances to the public that each business is following health protocols and is prepared to engage with customers. The program shares best practices on what to do in sensitive situations to help Santa Monica shine during this difficult period.
As part of this program, a pledge and safety assurance seal have been developed. The program is free to Santa Monica businesses including (but not limited to) office, retail, food and beverage service, and hotel sectors.
“We are open for business. It is safe to shop in Santa Monica, and we hope this assurance program reinforces this to Santa Monica residents and visitors. Buying local makes a huge difference in our community, helping to generate much-needed revenue to support our schools, parks and essential City services. Our local businesses need our support now more than ever. Buy local, stay safe and make a difference,” says Jennifer Taylor, City of Santa Monica’s Economic Development Manager.
Santa Monica Shines Pledge
The Santa Monica Shines Pledge Program consists of an online course available at ArrowUpSantamonica.com. The central course will provide an opportunity for individuals to learn about COVID-19 and best practices on how to ensure that they are being safe while protecting their neighbors, coworkers and customers. The final component is an online sensitivity course. An industry agnostic option will be available to all business sectors and a restaurant/hospitality specific option will also be available to provide more specific information and will be conducted in both English and Spanish. Santa Monica businesses that take the Pledge agree to complete the COVID-19 Safety online course and the COVID-19 Safety Protocols Packet, and implement all required safety measures.
Santa Monica Shines COVID-19 Safety Assurance Seal
The Santa Monica Shines Assurance Program serves as a platform for business owners to publicly recognize and highlight their compliance to clean and safe practices. After implementing all required health and safety protocols, businesses will schedule an online or onsite walk through with Sustainable Works to verify compliance. If all requirements are met, businesses will officially receive the Santa Monica Shines Safety Assurance Seal to publicly display.
These programs will help to set businesses up for continued success by providing LA County Public Health COVID-19 safety and reopening protocol updates and new content through micro-courses and micro-lessons to promote on-going awareness of the evolving pandemic and to keep safety top-of-mind including up-to-date info regarding the virus, suggested weekly pre-shift meeting agendas, and success stories from our operators and teams.
This program has been funded by the City of Santa Monica’s Economic Recovery Task Force with match funding support provided by Santa Monica College. The Santa Monica Shines program has been guided by the Economic Recovery Task Force communications and outreach team of residents, community and civic leaders, and supported by our local Businesses Improvement Districts, Santa Monica Pier Corporation, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism to ensure its success. This program builds on other city-wide economic recovery efforts including the expansion of outdoor dining and shopping, the creation of new online job resources for local employment seekers, City business and rental relief programs, and the expanded availability of health and safety related signage and PPE available for local businesses to accelerate Santa Monica’s safe and healthy economic recovery.
“We are proud to partner with Santa Monica College, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Arrow Up, and Sustainable Works to launch this free resource that supports local employees and businesses with implementing County Public Health protocols,” says Anuj Gupta, Deputy City Manager and co-chair of Economic Recovery Task Force. “We know that it is a challenging time for our entire community, and we hope this resource will ensure employees across Santa Monica are prepared while reassuring customers that we are committed to remaining a safe place to shop, dine, and play.”
For ongoing updates about Santa Monica’s Economic Recovery Efforts, visit santamonica.gov/economicrecovery. For questions, contact the City of Santa Monica’s hotline at (310) 458-8400 or info@santamonica.gov. Sign up for emergency alerts by texting SMALERT to 888-777 and regular email updates at santamonica.gov/newsletter. For business specific email updates, visit santamonica.gov/newsletter and select "BUSINESS”.
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Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov