CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) -- A survey of Chula Vista residents and businesses show the economic toll the pandemic has taken on the city.
The results of the July survey were recently released. It polled 576 businesses and nearly 800 residents.
It showed nearly all businesses have seen a decline in revenue during the pandemic. As of the end of July, only half of businesses surveyed were fully open. About half of the businesses in the report also decrease their workforce. It also said 60 percent of unemployment in the city is due to COVID-19 and many have struggled to find new job opportunities.
60 percent of businesses surveyed said given current projections, they anticipate closing within six months.
Alita Fernandez is the director of Play City in Eastlake, an indoor playground for children. She said her workplace has been closed since March.
“On the business side, it’s been very tough, but also on the personal side,” Fernandez said.
She is not surprised by the grim numbers reported in the survey.
“There are expenses that need to be covered… money comes in, the same thing goes out,” Fernandez said. Except now, there is no money coming in for many businesses.
Fernandez and 15 other employees have lost their jobs until the planned reopening in January 2021. She’s looking forward to the day they can reopen Play City safely.
“It’s sad because we miss them all. It’s sad because I miss my job,” Fernandez said.
Click here to see the full presentation.
