East Bay business owners report huge revenue losses, major layoffs; elderly care centers turn to wearables for contact tracing.

Survey: 37 percent of businesses in the area have chopped jobs

OAKLAND >> East Bay business owners have reported huge revenue losses and major layoffs amid government-imposed business shutdowns that are gradually easing this week in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a survey released Tuesday shows.

About 37 percent of East Bay businesses have undertaken layoffs of their workers, according to an East Bay Economic Development Alliance survey of about 2,000 businesses in Alameda County and Contra Costa County.

The unsettling results provide fresh evidence that sketches out how the coronavirus has bludgeoned the once-thriving Bay Area economy.

“Business impacts were severe and immediate” in the wake of shutdowns imposed by state and local government agencies, according to the survey, which was conducted from April 13 through May 5.

About one-fourth of East Bay businesses have laid off 75 percent to 100 percent of their workforce, the survey found. Another 9 percent have not undertaken any layoffs. However, 53 percent didn’t respond to that question in the survey.

“Small businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and many will not survive,” the East Bay Economic Development Alliance said as part of its report on the survey.

An estimated 34 percent of East Bay businesses anticipate they will lose 81 percent to 100

percent of their revenue, according to the survey.

Another 32 percent expect a loss of 41 percent to 80 percent of their revenue.

“We are probably doing

less than 30 percent of our normal business,” said Rolla Ghaben, principal owner of Broderick Roadhouse, a restaurant in Walnut Creek.

The survey arrives as a growing number of businesses, large and small, have become restless and anxious about being able toopen.

Pleasanton-based Specialty’s Cafe & Bakery said Sunday that it would shut its doors due to a disastrous collapse of its business amid the coronavirus.

“Businesses that are trying to reopen need clear and expeditious guidelines to fulfill health and safety requirements,” the East Bay

Economic Development Alliance said in its report. “Employing innovative solutions, such as allowing for more flexible use of space, can help businesses trying to recapture customers and income.”