Good afternoon,
As a leader in the business community, the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce is continuously monitoring the developments of COVID-19 locally, regionally, and nationally to prepare and protect our business community. As the situation continues to evolve, it is important for all employers to monitor the outbreak and implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring continuity of operations. On a conference call with Governor Ricketts this morning, he encouraged the following for Nebraska businesses:
- Create plans NOW with your leadership teams! Don't wait until the impact of the virus is at your front door.
- Over communicate with employees. Fear and panic are driving the uneasiness and employees need to know what is happening with their employer and what will happen if they are unable to come to work.
- Be flexible if possible. Can work be done from home? Can shifts be created to limit the amount of people coming in?
- Create a plan to handle a teammate becoming infected. What happens to other employees? Your operations? Protocols?
- Limit travel for employees. Continue to check with the CDC on countries/states with travel restrictions as well as your local public health office.
- Do not encourage employees who are sick to come to work. Our most important asset in Nebraska is our people - the workforce.
- Social distancing. As much as possible within your businesses practice keeping distances of 6ft or more. If in a close social situation, replace handshakes/hugs with elbow bumps or avoid touching.
- Refrain from holding/attending large gatherings with over 250 people.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has prepared downloaded guides, which are based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to learn more about how employers and employees can prepare for and address the impacts of the Coronavirus.
Additional resources from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
On a state level, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has published the attached document to assist businesses and employers.
On a local level, Regional West Medical Center (RWMC) is continuously working on plans to help safeguard staff, patients and visitors. To help control the spread of germs and the potential for COVID-19 to impact patients and staff, visitor restrictions may be implemented. RWMC recommends visiting the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website at
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
for the latest information about COVID-19.
As we look to the future with some uncertainty at this time, it's imperative that we continue to support our small businesses, local corporations, and non-profit organizations to prevent any drastic declines in our local economy. We would ask that all community members be mindful of the local economy and realize that any downturn in retail, service or non-profit efforts will cause a trickle-down effect that could impact our area for unknown lengths of time.
The Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting the local economy and providing additional resources as they become available.
