City handing out free masks to businesses to help them reopen safely
As some local businesses, including dine-in restaurants and small retail, prepare to reopen, the City of Sacramento is distributing 800,000 masks provided by the California Department of Public Health to help provide a safe experience for staff and patrons while adhering to public health recommendations.
“It’s time to start reopening our economy so our small businesses and working people can get back to earning a living, supporting their families and helping our city thrive,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “At the same time, we need to make sure we reopen the right way so we don’t have a surge of infections that would force us to retreat. Providing protective equipment to our small businesses and their employees will allow them to go back to work with greater peace of mind.”
“The City of Sacramento is working to help our business community restart after the almost three-month closure of nearly every business in the state,” said Vice Mayor Jeff Harris. “Today, we are providing face masks for businesses to ensure employees and customers are safe.”
The City has partnered with local chambers of commerce, Property Business Improvement Districts (PBIDs) and neighborhood associations to distribute masks to their businesses. Businesses are asked to contact organizations they are a part of to coordinate mask pickup.
In addition, independent businesses not associated with a chamber or PBID can pick up masks at three Sacramento community centers by dropping by during curbside pickup hours or by calling 311 to find their nearest center. (311 operators will inform callers of the nearest community center and how to contact the center directly to schedule an appointment.)
The three community centers are:
Belle Cooledge Community Center (5699 South Land Park Drive)
Coloma Community Center (4623 T St.)
South Natomas Community Center (2921 Truxel Road)
Drop-by curbside pickup hours at these community centers are from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday (excluding Memorial Day). The community centers also are distributing masks via appointments from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Recipients will not need to exit their vehicles to receive their masks, and signage will direct them at each location.
Sacramento businesses can receive 10 free disposable masks per employee. All businesses will be given a one-time allocation. Businesses will be asked to provide a business name, address, business operating tax certificate number, a point of contact and the number of masks received. Masks are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
“I am proud of the hard work across several City departments and the partnership with our community organizations to get these face coverings distributed to businesses across the City,” said Daniel Bowers, Director of Emergency Management.
Distribution partners with the City include:
California Black Chamber of Commerce
East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce
Greater Sacramento Vietnamese Chamber
Natomas Chamber of Commerce
North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce
Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce
Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce
Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce
Slavic-American Chamber of Commerce
Capitol Area Development Authority
Capitol Area R St Association
Del Paso Property Business Improvement District
Downtown Sacramento Partnership
Florin Road Partnership
Folsom Blvd Alliance
Franklin Blvd Business District
Greater Broadway Partnership Business Improvement District
Mack Road Partnership
Metro Chamber
Midtown Association
Oak Park Business District
Old Sacramento Waterfront Association
Power Inn Alliance
R St Sacramento Partnership
Sac IEDC
Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce
Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sierra Health Foundation
Stockton Property Business Improvement District
The River District
Old Sacramento Business Association
Alhambra Property Improvement District
Watt Ave PBID
