Pasadena Chamber Joins Call for Safe, Predictable, Long-Term Business Reopening Plan

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has joined a growing chorus of voices from business organizations around the state in calling for California to adopt a simple and straightforward plan for long-term reopening of restaurants and other businesses that have been forced by the state to close, or drastically alter business practices, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three-dozen business organizations, primarily municipal chambers of commerce, are demanding state officials to put in place a series of measures meant to help businesses reopen and stay open safely and in an organized and predictable manner, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce said in a written statement.

“The Coalition emerged over the last few months through unprecedented dialogue among local businesses, organizations and chambers throughout California, and their members, who, while understanding the necessity of closure orders in March, are frustrated with the lack of coordination of re-openings and the haphazard recent closure orders,” the statement said. “The Coalition urges local and county governments to support the effort to promote safe, organized, methodical and long-term reopening schedules.”

The group said its members recognized the seriousness of the pandemic, but called on leaders to recognize the dire situation faced by many business owners, as well.

“We all appreciate and understand that health concerns have to take a priority, but our businesses, especially our restaurants, need stability to operate,” according to Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President Paul Little.

“Being allowed to reopen only to be told a few weeks later they must close immediately, which took significant investment on the part of people to create a safe environment for patrons and staff, only for it to be flushed down the toilet,” Little said. “How can we expect anyone to invest in reopening when they could be ordered closed less than two weeks later? We need to see a coherent, long-term plan for reopening. One that we can be confident will remain in place.”

The group of organizations, which includes neighboring communities such as the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, has put forth three primary goals that members wish to see realized.

They called for the state to use emergency funds to supplement the cost of local health departments to oversee adherence to reopening regulations, according to the statement. “That would include authorizing counties to grant immediate reopening for all restaurants and bars that demonstrate compliance with that county’s reopening regulations, in accordance with state regulations.”

The business coalition also called for the state to create a COVID-19 “Emergency Business Interruption Fund” to make grants available to cover expenses incurred as a result of closures and reopening policies, as well as possible unanticipated future shutdowns.

And the coalition demanded the creation of a state task force, “which would work directly with state and local officials in the implementation of Mandatory Testing and creation of Recovery Centers as the dual alternative to shutting down segments of the economy,” the statement said.

Culver City Chamber of Commerce President Colin Diaz said the irresponsible behavior of a small number of businesses should not be used to set policy for all businesses in the state.

“We understand that there are bad actors in the business, as there are with some individuals,” he said. “These businesses should be held responsible for their actions and neglect. But, this sweeping policy that punishes the responsible business owners, many of whom have spent small fortunes bringing their businesses up to an extremely safe environment, further creates hardship and will continue to have drastic consequences beyond what we have already seen. We will lose a great deal of our small businesses with every round of closures that our government imposes on the business community.”

The restrictions recently imposed on 19 states by Gov. Gavin Newsom are too broad and fail to account for the diverse communities of California, coalition members said.

West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Chairman Nick Rimedio encouraged city leaders to join with businesses in demanding action.

“We’re asking our cities and counties to publicly join their small businesses in the call for a return to common sense that protects communities from well-intentioned, but economically devastating public policy,” he said.