Californians have been staying home since the start of our statewide stay-at-home order issued on March 19, 2020. Westlake Village is laying the groundwork for a safe recovery and reopening of businesses. Below you will find the information and tools necessary to effectively reopen your local business.
The State and County Reopening Framework
Governor’s Plan for Reopening
STATE REOPENING JUNE 15, 2021
California is moving Beyond the Blueprint and safely, fully reopening the economy on June 15 – no more physical distancing, no more capacity limits on businesses, no more county tiers, and relaxed mask guidance.
As of June 15, 2021, the Governor is terminating the executive orders that put into place the Stay Home Order and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. He is also phasing out the vast majority of executive actions put in place since March 2020 as part of the pandemic response, leaving in place a subset of provisions that facilitate the ongoing recovery.
Read the Governor’s new orders: N-07-21PDF, N-08-21PDF.
The public health officer has issued a new public health order effective June 15, superseding all prior health orders. The new order has limited restrictions, only related to masking and mega-events, as well as settings serving children and youth pending an expected update to the K-12 schools guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The public health officer has also issued new guidance on masks that is effective on June 15, and he will end the Travel Advisory
L.A. County’s Roadmap to Recovery
The City of Westlake Village is located 38 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and falls within the purview of the Los Angeles County health orders. Los Angeles County is moving toward new standards for a swift and safe reopening in alignment with the State of California guidelines. The Public Health protocols for reopening change at every tier.
As we prepare to gradually reopen, we will apply many elements of the Governor’s Guidance, including, disinfecting, including facilities, vehicles and equipment and physical distancing.
Each business in the City of Westlake Village must review the information provided by the State of California and the County of Los Angeles, which has provided all currently available industry guidance by stage of reopening in accordance with the State’s Resiliency Roadmap. The goal is a create a safe, clean environment for workers and customers.
Businesses owners in the City are encouraged to review the guidance that is relevant to their workplace, prepare a plan based on the guidance for their industry, and put it into action.
County of Los Angeles: A Safer Return Together at Work and in the Community
As of June 15, 2021, and in connection with the State, LA County will also be terminating the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and entering into a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. LA County will remove local capacity limits on businesses and other sectors and local physical distancing requirements. Businesses are no longer required to prepare and post protocols or in most instances submit plans or modifications of events to the LA County Department of Public Health.
LA County has aligned with the State Public Health Officer Order which was issued June 11, 2021 and continues to place certain safety requirements in some settings consistent with federal and state rules.
City of Westlake Village Reopening Protocols
City of Westlake Village Reopening Plan
The City of Westlake Village has created a working plan document and will regularly update it as new orders come into effect. Click to view and download the plan document.
Alcoholic Beverage Control Notice of Regulatory Relief
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has provided temporary relief measures which remain in place during the COVID-19 emergency.
Relief has been issued to enable licensees with on-sale privileges to reopen their businesses for on-site consumption that is consistent with the Governor’s declarations and orders, as well as other State and local health and safety guidelines:
- Expansion of Licensed Footprint
- Extension of Regulatory Relief for Club Licenses: Type 50, 51, 52
The Notice of Regulatory Relief is designed to support the alcoholic beverage industry in its efforts to assist California in slowing the spread of the virus while assisting the industry in dealing with the economic challenges it is facing as a result. Details can be found at the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s (ABC) website.
Additional Resources for Businesses
Los Angeles County has a dedicated call center for businesses as well as employees to help during the COVID-19 emergency.
Counselors are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to help business owners navigate loan applications and help individuals that were recently laid off due to this emergency.
Contact the Business & Worker Disaster Help Center:
- Call 1-833-238-4450
- Website: LACountyHelpCenter.org
- Email: DisasterHelpCenter@lacounty.gov
Financial Resources
- Disaster Relief Loans
The SBA offers low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital. For more information or to apply online, visit this website, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov
- Recovery Loans
The Small Business Recovery Loan Program provides small businesses (25 or fewer employees) with easy-to-access financial relief to stay afloat and keep employees. Loan proceeds may be used for working capital, including payroll or rent. E-mail questions to BizRecovery@lacda.org.
- SBA Deferments
You may be eligible for SBA automatic deferments through December 31, 2020 if you’re still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters.
- Need help with a loan?
The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) offers one-on-one consultation for non-traditional loans for impacted businesses, capital and tax incentives, and cost containment strategies to maintain operations and avoid layoffs. Email LAEDC at COVID19Response@LAEDC.org.
- Review your insurance policy
The California Dept of Insurance recommends businesses review their business interruption insurance policies and contact their insurance companies to determine what their policies cover with regard to loss of business income due to recent orders suspending business operations. If your commercial insurance claim was denied, request an investigation at Insurance.CA.gov/01-Consumers/101-help.
- Help for employees
California’s Work Sharing Program provides an alternative to layoffs for businesses with reduced work or production. Visit EDD.ca.gov/Unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program.htm
Chamber of Commerce Resources
- The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce also has many resources available for area businesses. Visit their website at https://www.conejochamber.org/.
- The Conejo Valley Small Business Relief Fund was established by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation in partnership with the cities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. The fund will provide much needed grants to local small businesses as they navigate the financial impacts of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Prevention Resources (Infographics, Flyers and Visual Guides)
- Reopening Signage for your Business (click to download PDF)
- COVID-19 Quick Reference Guide
- Proper Hand Washing Steps
- How to Disinfect your Workspace
- Actions You Can Take to Prevent the Spread of Illness (CDC)
- Travelers’ Health (CDC)
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- LA County Guidelines
Restaurants: Requirements to Apply for Temporary Outdoor Dining Area Expansion
Westlake Village Leadership is Advocating for a Safe and Swift Reopening
Westlake Village Community Focus
What is Open in the City of Westlake Village
- The following businesses, facilities or locations are open across Los Angeles County, including the City of Westlake Village: CLICK HERE FOR LISTING
- Parks: The City of Westlake Village will begin reopening certain non-contact amenities and park areas. Westlake Village has modified its operations to reopen these amenities with strict health guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Safety guidelines are required based on the type of amenity, in accordance with the health officer order.
What is the City of Westlake Village Doing to Help the Community?
The City Council and staff are working to help the community reopen quickly while continuing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through the practice of reasonable infection control precautions. Local business recovery consists of:
- Creating a local reopening plan with info graphics and guidelines
- Active participant in Small Business Task Force – Chamber Lead
- Website resources updated regularly at www.readywlv.org
- Evaluating City code modifications to allow for outdoor eating beyond footprint of CUP
- Supporting Conejo Valley Small Business Relief Fund for Westlake Village businesses
- Advertising in the Acorn, City’s Website and Social Media account
- Stay Local, Shop Local campaign
- Promoting Takeout Tuesday
Westlake Village COVID-19 Community Health Impact
While public health is always the paramount of concern for Los Angeles County, our region has performed much better than our neighbors in more densely populated regions of the County. Please see the chart below that illustrates that Conejo and Las Virgenes areas have not seen the same propensity of new cases and deaths as the rest of the county. Even when accounting for the smaller population, the cases and death per capita do not compare to the rates seen in Los Angeles County.
| Metric | Los Angeles County | Conejo/ Las Virgenes* |
| Total Cases | 1,162,148 | 2,355 |
| Total Deaths | 22,218 | 51 |
* Conejo / Las Virgenes is the combined data for the cities of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Calabasas.
| Metric | Westlake Village | Agoura Hills | Calabasas |
| Total Cases | 111 | 1,019 | 1,225 |
| Total Deaths | 1 | 18 | 32 |
Access to Adequate Health Care Capacity
In addition to the hospitals within Los Angeles County, our region is served by the Los Robles Health System in nearby Thousand Oaks.
Stay Local, Shop Local!
Businesses are an important part of the fabric of our Westlake Village community and we need your cooperation and partnership to get through this public health emergency. You can help the small businesses you love stay in business by buying their products and services. In fact, many small businesses are operating now. And buying local means you’re not only supporting our community’s businesses, but you will get your products faster than if you ordered them from an online megastore. So shop with them today! For a listing of Westlake Village restaurants that are open for takeout and delivery, click here.