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An essential service, the Port of Redwood City is continuing usual shipping operations during the regional shelter-in-place order prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, but with extra precaution, according to Port officials.

“Our operations team is working closely with the United States Coast Guard to monitor the shipments that come through the Port as a precautionary measure,” said Brandon Chapman, the Port operations manager.

While the administrative office at the Port remains in operation, the building is closed to the general public. Public facilities such as restrooms along the waterfront have also been closed.

Currently, the Port’s FEMA federal staging area remains on standby for the movement of supplies and emergency responders. The Port does not facilitate cruise operations, therefore, no cruise ships are docked in Redwood City.

Last fiscal year, the Port handled 2.65 million metric tons of cargo, generating $9.3 million in operating revenue, including materials for the building and construction industries.

For more information and updates, visit the Port website here.

Photo credit: Rafael Lima

While Hillsdale Shopping Center has been closed since Tuesday and will remain closed until at least April 7, businesses considered “essential services” remain open, including specific restaurants (listed below), banks and grocery operator Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s is open daily 9 a.m. to 7 a.m. Meanwhile, eateries at the shopping center have shifted to takeout and delivery. The newly opened farm-to-table restaurant Belcampo is taking orders by phone and through its Belcampo App for delivery and pickup. The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen are also offering both takeout and delivery. Shake Shack is offering takeout.

Need to do banking? The Hillsdale Wells Fargo is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, the Citibank is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the Chase is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Hillsdale’s closure is part of the region-wide shelter-in-place order aiming to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. All open businesses are employing social distancing measures and all other emerging standards for optimal health and safety, the shopping center said.

For more information, visit www.hillsdale.com.

What’s open? Despite the coronavirus pandemic prompting the Bay Area to shelter in place, many local restaurants are still offering takeout and delivery options.

With the aim of supporting local businesses during this difficult time, the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber has been assembling an evolving list of eateries in Redwood City (nearly 40, currently) that offer either takeout, delivery or both (the list is posted below and also at this link). Included on the list, which could be printed and posted on a fridge wall for future reference, are Milagros Latin Kitchen, which is doing takeout only; Sancho’s Taqueria (delivery only) and Harry’s Hofbra (takeout only). Two that aren’t yet on the list are Pronto Wood Fired Pizzeria and Rotisserie (takeout, delivery) and Little Madfish (takeout only).

The Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo is closed but restaurants on the property are still operating. That includes the new Belcampo Meat Co., (take-out and delivery); The Cheesecake Factory (takeout only); California Pizza Kitchen, (takeout and delivery) and Shake Shack, (takeout only).

On Laurel Street in San Carlos, there’s Spasso, (delivery only); West Park Bistro, (delivery only), Town, (delivery only); and Pranzi (delivery only). In addition, CreoLa Bistro, at 344 El Camino Real is offering take-out.

In Belmont, one can do both takeout and delivery from Toto’s Pizzeria & Restaurant. There’s also Falafelle (delivery only), Godfather’s Burger Lounge (takeout and delivery), Vivace Ristorante (takeout and delivery), and Divino Ristorante (take-out only).

Let us know which eateries we’ve missed in the comments!

Also, for all local businesses in need of assistance, make certain to click this important resources link here, assembled by the San Mateo County Economic Development Corporation.

Reader suggestions: Taqueria Apatzingan, Woodside Road, (take-out orders only via phone).

Dehoff’s Key Market in Redwood City today announced Wednesday it is now offering early access for senior shoppers and customers with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

From 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily, the store at 1063 Upton St. will be reserved for customers ages 65 and over and those with disabilities.

The store will be open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The store hours are reduced temporarily. Limits are placed on purchases of some high-demand items to ensure other shoppers can get what they need.

In addition, the store has increased its cleaning practices and afterhour janitorial services, including scrubbing all touchable surfaces with coronavirus-approved products. Baskets are cleaned, rinsed and sanitized regularly, and shopping carts are being pressure-cleaned.  Clerks and cashiers are being vigilant about preventative health and hygiene practices and all employees are practicing social distancing, the company said.

“We will remain open and ready to serve you and do not expect any forced closures on grocery stores in the future,” Chris Dehoff said on his company’s website.

For updates, visit Dehoff’s Key Market’s website and Facebook page.

Photo credit: Dehoff’s Key Market.

With blood donation organizations locally and nationally enduring a critical shortage due to the coronavirus pandemic, centers are encouraging organizations to continue organizing blood drives and individuals to continue donating blood when possible.

A shelter in place order issued for six Bay Area counties, including San Mateo County, is keeping potential blood donors home and canceling donation events. However, blood donation is exempt from the order, as it provides an essential medical service.

Blood drives at schools, churches, community groups and religious institutions represent over 60 percent of the nation’s supply. Their cancellation could jeopardize patient care, according to Vitalant, the nation’s second largest blood provider which operates Peninsula Donation Center in San Mateo.

“We need people to donate blood today, while following guidance from the CDC and other agencies,” said Dr. Ralph Vassallo, Vitalant’s chief medical and scientific officer.

Added Harpreet Sandhu, executive director of Menlo Park-based Stanford Blood Center, the shelter in place won’t stop car accidents or the necessity for organ transplants, babies born in critical condition and chemotherapy.

“In short, there will still be lives that need saving,”  Sandhu said.

Currently, all blood types are needed, with a significant need for platelets and Type O blood donations, according to Vitalant.

It is safe to donate blood, said Jenn Wagner, communications manager for the Stanford Blood Center.

“Every potential donor is given a mini-physical exam when they first arrive, and we take a medical history,” Wagner said. “We have also made social distancing part of our practice wherever possible and take every preventive measure to keep our donors safe.”

Vitalant said its staff follows “rigorous safety and disinfection protocols on our bloodmobiles and in our donation centers,” adding that “giving blood has no impact on the donor’s immune system.”

Individuals should not donate blood if they have visited mainland China, South Korea, Iran and Italy within 28 days, have had a COVID-19 infection, or been exposed to someone suspected of having been infected, according to Vitalant.

“According to the CDC, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is currently low,” Vassallo said. “Furthermore, due to the nature of the virus, it is highly unlikely that it can be transmitted through blood transfusions.”

Potential donors can visit Vitalant, the American Red Cross, and Stanford Blood Center to book an appointment and find out future dates for donation events.

Photo credit: Federal Drug Administration

Starting today, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will service customers who are 60 and older one hour before opening to the general public, a response to high-demand at stores due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Only that age group will be able to shop from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at both the Redwood City store at 1250 Jefferson Ave. and the San Mateo store at 1010 Park Place. Both stores open to the general public at 9 a.m.

“We are setting aside this time to help these customers, who national health authorities have identified as among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, feel more comfortable shopping our stores and helping to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment,” according to a statement by Whole Foods Market.

Also, Whole Foods Market stores will close up to two hours early to allow employees time to restock shelves, sanitize stores and rest. Pickup at stores will still be offered and Prime delivery orders will continue to be fulfilled to “ensure that people who need to remain at home can still get their groceries in a timely manner,” the company said.

Photo credit: Whole Foods Market

Financial relief is available for workers impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

For workers who qualify for benefits, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) is providing a variety of support services.

Here’s more from the EDD:

Workers who have had their hours reduced—or whose employer is currently not operating due to COVID-19, can file an unemployment insurance claim. Per the EDD on its website, unemployment insurance “provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own.” Workers waylaid due to the impact of COVID-19 don’t have to seek work during this period, but they do have to “remain able, available and ready to work” and meet eligibility criteria while claiming benefits. Typical benefits received range from $40 to $450 per week, per the EDD. Independent workers can learn more about their options here.

Parents who miss work due to their child’s school being closed might also be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. “Eligibility considerations include if you have no other care options and if you are unable to continue working your normal hours remotely,” according to the EDD. Apply via the previous unemployment insurance claim link.

California workers who can’t work and who are medically certified to either have COVID-19 themselves or to have been exposed to it can file a disability insurance claim. This option provides workers with short-term benefit payments “to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy,” per the EDD. Benefit amounts typically are about 60 to 70 percent of a worker’s wages (depending on income) and range from $50 to $1,300 a week.

Those workers unable to work due to caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19—that can be verified by a medical professional—can file a paid family leave claim. This benefit “provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child,” per the EDD. Benefit amounts are about the same as those filing a disability claim.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order has waived the typical one-week waiting period for benefits; this means that workers can receive benefits the first week they are out of work. EDD processing typically kicks in within a few weeks of receiving a claim.

To learn more about your benefit options while impacted by COVID-19, visit the EDD’s website.

Photo credit: California Employment Development Dept.