To our community of members, friends, and business partners
The business community has adopted a compassionate response to guests and employees when it comes to making decisions about day to day operations. Relying on the CDC, state and local government and corporate and small business policies to make short and long term decisions is the responsible approach. As we know this is a very fluid situation. Right now we are in a containment and mitigation phase with hopes that closing schools and events that would attract more than 50 attendees will support this phase. The state has identified 13 cases of COVID-19 with no deaths, which is heartening when compared to other states, however, this can change quickly. 

Individuals should know where to get local information, know the signs and symptoms and what to do, take steps for higher risk, protect yourself and family, make a household plan.

The Chamber suggests contacting a business directly for closures or hours of operations as the best source of up to the minute information and changes. Using your mobile device to google the business name and checking websites for information is prudent. The Chamber is open for the time being with employees who have children being encouraged to stay home due to day-care closures. If it is determined that the office will be closed all staff can work remotely and will check messages from home 4 times a day. Our plan is to allow staff to determine what they are comfortable with and make that decision for themselves. Unless forced to close at least one staff member will be at the office. Our information booths have been closed as they are staffed by older volunteers.

Call volume is at a minimum in the office, however, those calls we have received are confirming what is open for guests to participate in if they are here or planning on coming up in the near future. Because of our large second ownership base restaurants, services and retailers may see more business than one might expect under the circumstances. Reports from many businesses indicate brisk business over the weekend. All businesses are taking the time to discuss options with their employees and reviewing decisions based on an upcoming season that is generally slower than others normally.

We encourage making decisions based on your own concerns and where possible supporting our local businesses with take out, curbside service, gift certificate purchases and enjoying open shops, service businesses and restaurants at your discretion.

REI, Timberland, Levis, UnderArmour, Nike and Columbia have made the decision to close for at least the next two weeks. These are individual corporate decisions not an OVP Management decision.

CLICK HERE for a Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet that has been used to support the Governor’s declaration of a “State of Emergency”. We suggest that you use this to begin gathering the information you may need for any government aid that may be determined in the future.
Canada to Close Borders
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will be shutting the border to non-Canadian citizens, with the exception of, permanent residents, the immediate family members of Canadian citizens, diplomats, air crews, and U.S. citizens at this time. Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 will not be able to enter Canada. 
 

The Department of Business and Economic Affairs should have a website available by tomorrow listing all the resources available at the state level to deal with the many aspects of Covid 19. This should be AVAILABLE HERE via the Covid 19 information link.

The Office of Travel and Tourism will be re-purposing marketing programs designed to build Spring business to promoting a robust summer business. Social Media, PR and Web presence will continue throughout the season.

An industry Conference Call is being scheduled for sometime at the end of the week or next week. We will be sharing that phone number as soon as we get it.
President Trump has just announced a recommended gathering maximum of 10 people for the next 15 days at least. We are working on identifying an alternate date for our planned April 21 Expo and keep a close watch on the White Mountain Outdoor Festival planned for June 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Leadership MWV has canceled their Concord Trip for May 25 and 26. Our next class session is scheduled for April 8 . In light of the President’s recommendation we will keep you informed.

If you are aware of any possible connections or communication avenues you may have to connect high-school students, college students, teachers or other support workers who may be willing to offer babysitting services for essential workers in the health care field, etc. Please forward any contact information on people willing to provide this service so that I can share it with those in need.

ServiceMaster is qualified and equipped with the required protocols and processes should any pathogen outbreak occur within your facility. Feel free to reach out to them at
Aaron and Joshua Snell
ServiceMaster of Carroll & Coos Counties
P.O. Box 976 Conway, NH 03818
800-734-5031

Other cleaning companies may also qualify for this if needed.
Chalmers Insurance Group is available to serve you over the phone, digitally, and through standard mail during regular business hours M-F 8 AM-4:30 PM and with 24/7 claims reporting.
Please call their office for any service you require at 800-360-3000.
STAY HEALTHY, WASH YOUR HANDS, LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS AND CALL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS.