Business, Education, Family, Government, Health, Local, News

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Santa Barbara County Moves to Red Tier

by  •  • Comments Off on Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Santa Barbara County Moves to Red Tier
Move to Red Tier Beginning Tomorrow
At (March 16)’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received a COVID-19 update from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Some very positive news was shared, which is cause for celebration. However, while the winter surge we experienced is now over, we have to stay vigilant collectively as a county so we can continue to see a decline in cases and other metrics, especially with spring break on the horizon.

Our adjusted case rate is 7.7 and positivity rate is 3.3. Effective at 8:00 am tomorrow, Wednesday, 3/17, Santa Barbara County is now in the Red Tier. As a reminder, the following sector changes apply in the Red Tier according to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The state has reached its first health equity vaccine goal of vaccinating 2 million persons in the hardest hit communities in our state and our cases fall between 4-10 cases per 100,000 population.

Contrary to something I said at an online event last week, we will not have to wait for a period longer before additional schools can open (many elementary schools are open under waivers). The reason is arcane but welcome, and if you are curious about it email me. Schools now only have to have had their safety plans posted before opening.
Screenshot 2021-03-16 113208.png
Mobile COVID-19 Testing Unit Moved To East Beach
The mobile COVID-19 testing unit is now located in the waterfront parking lot at 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara. COVID-19 testing will be available from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday for a minimum of two (2) weeks and available to all community members. The mobile testing unit will then move to a new location which will be announced. To request an appointment, please go online tohttps://lhi.care/covidtesting. If you need assistance registering, call 2-1-1.

For a list of free COVID-19 testing sites in Santa Barbara County visit: https://publichealthsbc.org/testing/.
Vaccine Information
At this time, Cottage and Sansum are using MyTurnfor their appointment scheduling. People may also call the county call center which is open 7 days a week, for assistance, by calling 2-1-1 and pressing option #4. Vaccine supply is still limited, but appointments will continue to become more available.

Vaccine appointments will continue to be made available for Emergency Services Workers, Grocery Workers, and Phase 1A Health Care workers on the County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment website. New appointments will be live Mondays at 9:00 am. These sectors may also be able to make an appointment through their regular healthcare provider or local pharmacy based on availability. The state anticipates that by the end of the month, all vaccination appointments will be made using My Turn including those administered by the Public Health Department.

  • Being fully vaccinated means 2 weeks have passed since your second vaccine or after the first shot from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
  • Being fully vaccinated means that people can safely meet indoors without masks, with others who are fully vaccinated.
  • Fully vaccinated people can meet with not yet vaccinated people from another household indoors without wearing masks.
  • If a fully vaccinated person comes in contact with a person positive for COVID, they no longer need to quarantine, providing they do not develop symptoms
Screenshot 2021-03-16 133020.png
Reminder: How to Qualify for a Free or Low-Cost Electric Vehicle
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting an Affordable Electric Vehicle (EV) Clinic: How to Qualify for a Free or Low-Cost EV on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 PM ( English | Español ). This free virtual clinic is open to the public and will be presented in English with Spanish interpretation. Low- and moderate-income households are especially encouraged to attend since they may qualify for increased rebates and incentives that will allow them to get a very low-cost or free EV.
Resources for Businesses
We also received an update on the highlights of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed by President Biden last week and the resources available for businesses.
old resources .png
Screenshot 2021-03-16 114615.png
More details on state and federal resources available to business can be found at https://recoverysbc.org/resources-for-businesses/

Businesses needing assistance with the application process should contact Economic Development Corporation for free business advisory assistance. Phone. 805.409.9159 (ENGLISH) or 805.309.5874 (SPANISH).