Monday August 31, 2020
Here are the latest updates and resources for businesses and employees during this uncertain time. - Onward and Be Well!
New York State Insurance Fund Offers PPE Credit
The New York State Insurance Fund announced the plan this week, which offers policyholders of workers compensation a five percent credit of their annual premium for the purchase of PPE supplies. The maximum reimbursement is $500.
Governor Cuomo Kicks Off 2020 Virtual Great New York State Fair Special Events and Activities
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a full slate of virtual Great New York State Fair special events and activities allowing New Yorkers to safely enjoy the Fair until its return in 2021. Fair fans can enjoy the Fair food drive-thru on fairgrounds, virtual visits to farms to witness live dairy cow births and live stream the Fair's annual Butter Sculpture reveal. Activities include online contests and virtual celebrations to mark some of the Fair's traditions. The Great New York State Fair is the nation's first and oldest state fair and the largest state fair in the East.  

"The Great New York State Fair is a cherished tradition for which many New Yorkers build their summer vacations and travel plans around," Governor Cuomo said. "Though COVID-19 has postponed our great Fair, New Yorkers have found a way to put a new spin on this 178-year long tradition to continue to virtually enjoy the Fair during these challenging times." 
Governor Cuomo Announces Lower-Risk School Sports in All Regions May Begin September 21
Governor Cuomo announced last week lower-risk, school-sponsored sports in all regions may begin to practice and play beginning September 21st. However, travel for practice or play will be prohibited outside of the school's region or contiguous regions or counties until October 19th. For the fall sports season, lower- and moderate-risk sports include tennis, soccer, cross country, field hockey and swimming.

Higher-risk sports, including those with full physical contact, may begin to practice on September 21st but cannot play until a later date or December 31st. In accordance with the Department of Health's guidance for sports and recreation during the COVID-19 public health emergency, practices for higher-risk sports are limited to individual or group, no- to low-contact training. Higher-risk sports include football, wrestling, rugby, hockey and volleyball.

"The State has done a lot of research on how we can safely have our students participate in school sports and get the exercise they need, and the guidance we developed will allow lower-risk sports to begin practicing and playing next month," Governor Cuomo said. "We are approaching youth sports as we have approached everything else in our phased reopening - teams are not allowed to compete outside a school's region or contiguous region for the time being until we can gauge the effects."

Schools must follow the Department's guidance for the conduct of their school sports. Schools will have to limit capacity of indoor facilities to no more than 50 percent occupancy and limit spectators to no more than two spectators per player, in addition to implementing social distancing and face coverings.
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe lifts curfew in U.S., expands travel radius in Canada
The small number of active cases of COVID-19 in Akwesasne and surrounding areas has led the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe to remove its curfew in the southern portion of the community and expand the area in which people may travel without self-quarantining on their return home.

“The decision to remove the curfew and expand the travel radius is due to the low number of active cases being reported by public health agencies throughout the region,” the EOC said in announcing the changes. “Montreal however, continues to report the highest number of confirmed cases in Canada and travel is discouraged.”
Calling all Artists! Great opportunity for everyone
The Strand Center for the Arts is hosting an Artisan Market to showcase the wonderful talents of area artists. Works for sale will include pottery, paintings, woodwork, fiber arts, jewelry and much more!
 
During the COVID pandemic many artists have lost their traditional avenues for selling their goods. As many local Artisan shows have been cancelled throughout the Upstate and Adirondack region. We are so happy to facilitate this event for our community and include a raffle fundraiser to benefit The Strand Center for the Arts.
QUICK LINKS:

  • Forward NY: Official State Website for opening procedures and guidelines.

  • Looking for Supplies: If your business is looking for hard to find protective products, we have created a list of businesses offering hand sanitizer, gloves, wipes, masks and other items.


  • Now Hiring: Whether you are hiring or looking for work, we have a page dedicated to helping pair potential employees with employers.

  • Webinars: Did you miss one of our webinars, you can find them all here.

  • SCORE: Visit Scores Coronavirus page for webinars and useful articles for small businesses.
To help the North Country reopen safely and meet the state and local mandates, The North Country Chamber of Commerce has created a comprehensive list of resources to navigate state and local requirements. Check out the home page for details. There is also a series of webinars available for businesses to help educate and provide answers to common questions.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000