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.