Santa Cruz County Launches Program To Endorse Safe Businesses

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County launched a voluntary program this week to endorse businesses with top-notch health and safety practices during the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses that have been endorsed will receive signage featuring a blue check mark and the text "COVID-19 SAFER" to denote that the county has identified the business as having safer health and safety practices, the county said Monday in a news release. The Blue Check Program seeks to verify the business enforces face coverings and physical distancing, limits the number of people in the store, frequently cleans shared equipment and more.

All businesses are eligible and can learn how to apply here.

“Local businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and customers want reassurances that business owners are looking out for them before returning to the marketplace," said Economic Development Director Andy Constable in the news release. "This program helps provide that comfort by assuring businesses follow the best medical advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Blue Check Program standards were previously required in the county, but the requirements are no longer in place.

The public may complain here if they observe a Blue Check Program business not following the rules.

The project is a collaboration between the county Office for Economic Development and Public Health Division.