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Thursday March 19, 2020
Hello Chamber Members and Partners,

Here are the latest updates and resources for businesses and employees including a spot for your questions on the new 25% staffing order, information on the Coronavirus Response Act, sign up links for tomorrow's webinar and tele-townhall and more!

Send us any questions or updates you may have, we are here to help provide information, connect the dots and assure those in the North Country that we will get through this together.

Onward and Upward!
ALERT:
50% ORDER GOING TO 25%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that yesterday's Executive Order that non-essential businesses have no more than 50% of their workforce on site at any one time has been revised. The Governor's Press Release can be read HERE .

The new order requires that non-essential businesses must now have no more than 25% on site at any time. 

The definitions of "essential" remain the same. Employers with questions or looking to confirm that they can be regarded as essential must submit their query via the below link to Empire State Development Corp.

NYS PAID LEAVE ACT
On Wednesday March 18th, New York State lawmakers approved paid sick-leave and quarantined worker protections. 

The legislation addresses the immediate need of employees affected by COVID-19 who are subject to mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation. Click below to read more on the legislation and what it will provide.
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS
RESPONSE ACT
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the  Families First Coronavirus Response Act . The President has since signed the bill into law, meaning the provisions in the Act will now go into effect in fifteen (15) days - beginning on April 2nd, 2020. This Act includes many provisions that apply to employers, such as paid sick leave for employees impacted by COVID-19 and those serving as caregivers for individuals with COVID-19.

While the Act also contains several provisions to increase funding for familiar benefit programs, like WIC and SNAP, a summary of the key benefit provisions of the Act which affect employers can be found by clicking the button below.
TOMORROW'S WEBINAR: EMPLOYMENT IN THE COVID CRISIS (Triage for Employers)
Companies are being bombarded with new rules, rumors and risks. Join Jacqueline Kelleher, Esq in a webinar on Friday March 20, 2020 from 11:00am-12:30pm to get up to the minute insight on what Employers need to do now in these unprecedented times. She will share recent developments and current guidance to help our business community make informed decisions.
NOTE: We will be using GoToWebinar for this. Please download and register for the FREE GoTo viewer on your mobile device (available for android and iphone in the app store) OR on your desktop. Your registration confirmation will contain a link that will lead you to the webinar on Friday morning. Talk to you then!
RESTAURANT INDUSTRY TO NY: DELAY TAX PAYMENTS

"As businesses across the state brace for at least two more weeks of closures, the New York State Restaurant Association is urging the state to delay sales tax payments due this Friday."

The North Country Chamber of Commerce has joined this request.
ADDITIONAL NEWS ITEMS
  • The Lake Champlain Ferries Charlotte to Essex Ferry Crossing will close as of today, March 19, 2020. All crossings have suspended walk on service until further notice.

  • Champlain Centre has closed all Interior portions of its facility. All stores with an exterior entrance will remain open until further notice.

  • The Clinton County DMV is no longer open to the general public. They are open to Clinton County residents by appointment only (518-565-4785).

  • The Adirondack Foundation has launched a local response fund to support our community in this time of great need.

  • AMTRAK has adjusted their schedule and will no longer be offering services North of Albany.

TOMORROW: Tele-Townhall
The  North Country Chamber of Commerce  is hosting a conversation with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, State Senator Betty Little, and Assemblyman Billy Jones this  Friday, March 20, 2020 from 5:30PM-6:30PM . Our elected officials will be updating us on our current environment and what the Federal and State Governments are doing to address the situation. 

In order to properly facilitate this discussion, please click the button below and enter any questions you may have for our elected officials. We will attempt to get through as many of these questions as possible and will  not  be taking questions on the call, as we anticipate many participants. Any unanswered questions will be referred to the appropriate offices for a follow-up.  

Date:  March 20, 2020
Time:  5:30PM-6:30PM
How to Access:

  • Join Online HERE (Meeting ID: 182 545 354)
  • Call in with 1-646-876-9923 (Meeting ID: 182545354)

Many thanks to Mark Shaw and the team at  StoredTech  for setting up the call!
The home page of the Chamber's website is now your go to resource for all things Coronavirus related. From information to help your business, health insurance, employee guidelines, restaurant offerings and CDC resources, northcountrychamber.com will hopefully make things a bit easier for you during this challenging time.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000
info@nothcountrychamber.com