Hello Chamber Members and Partners,
Here are the latest updates and resources for businesses and employees during this uncertain time.
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 Be Well!
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CORONAVIRUS FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
Information on Direct Relief for Agricultural Producers Who have Suffered Losses Due to COVID-19
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- Date: Tuesday, June 23rd
- Time: 7:00pm
Topics to be covered include:
- Presentation/Overview of the Program
- Eligible Applicants/Commodities
- How to apply and more!
*In consultation with the USDA, the time for the webinar (7pm) was selected to best accommodate the schedules of our hard working agricultural producers. Hope you can join us!
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*Webinar login information will be sent to you by email.
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Cuomo: New York Hospitals, Group Homes Can Accept Visitors this Week
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New York hospitals and group homes can again begin accepting visitors as early as this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday. With the number of coronavirus cases and deaths still slowing in the state, Cuomo announced that hospitals will be allowed to accept visitors at their discretion beginning Tuesday.
All group homes certified by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, meanwhile, can begin visitations on Friday, as long as they notify the state and follow state guidelines, the governor said.
Visitors to both hospitals and group homes must wear masks and will be subject to Covid-19 symptom and temperature checks.
Cuomo said the state is yet not including nursing homes in the new visitation policy.
“We’re still studying it,” he said at an Albany news conference. “There’s still a high risk and when the health department advises me that it’s safe we’ll do it. I understand the demand, I understand the desire. But the department doesn’t think the reward justifies the risk at this point.”
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Secretary to the Governor Derosa Issues Report Outlining COVID-19 Domestic Violence Task Force's Initial Recommendations
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Secretary to the Governor DeRosa issued a report to Governor Cuomo outlining the COVID-19 Domestic Violence Task Force's initial recommendations to reimagine New York's approach to services for domestic violence survivors. Governor Cuomo has accepted these recommendations in full and is directing the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, along with other sister agencies of the Office of Children and Family Services, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Office of Victim Services, the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Health, to use these recommendations to update and improve domestic violence services in New York State.
The recommendations identified by the Task Force recognize that the needs of domestic violence survivors vary greatly and there are different tools needed to allow each survivor maximum control over their situation including: mobile advocacy, flexible funding and housing choice. The recommendations offered by the Task Force are ready to be quickly implemented, cutting red tape and prioritizing cultural competency to better meet survivors where they are, give them what they need and set a foundation for continued innovation.
The Task Force's full report is available
here
.
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Webinar: How to Utilize NYS Shared Work Program
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Many manufacturing sectors have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 Crisis. Aerospace, Oil & Gas, and Automotive sectors have been some of the hardest hit. Many WNY Manufacturers are not operating at capacity and as they expend their PPP funds, many are facing layoffs in the 3rd quarter.
A possible solution is New York States
Shared Work Program
. The Shared Work program is designed to help employers manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments while helping to spare their workers the hardships of full unemployment. The program allows employers to keep trained employees and avoid layoffs by allowing staff members to receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. The Shared Work Program helps keep trained, productive employees on the job during temporary business downturns, meaning New York businesses can gear up quickly when conditions improve, and New York workers get to stay on the job. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.
The Webinar will be presented by NYS DOL: Stephen Ryan, Director, Career Center Operations and Business Engagement; Alcott HR: Emily Buerger; and Ring Precision: Dale Gier, CEO. Mr. Gier has been utilizing the program for years and will provide significant insight as an employer.
- Date: Friday, June 19th
- Time: 11:00AM
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United Airlines Will Require Passengers to Affirm They are Healthy
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United Airlines
became the first major U.S. airline to ask all passengers to complete a health self-assessment during the check-in process amid the coronavirus pandemic, which they are calling their "Ready to Fly" Guidelines.
To reassure the public it's safe to fly, airlines are stepping up their cleaning and disinfection procedures. Most carriers are requiring employees and passengers to wear masks and now United is going a step further by asking travelers to confirm they are healthy.
Whether checking in online, at a kiosk or in person at the airport, passengers need to accept United's "Ready-to-Fly" checklist that includes confirmation that you:
- will wear a face mask
- haven't been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 21 days
- haven't had symptoms or been in close contact with someone who tested positive in the past 14 days
- haven't been denied boarding by another airline for medical reasons
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To help the North Country reopen safely and meet the state and local mandates,
T
he 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.
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- 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.
- How to Help: If you are looking for a way to help the North Country, we have created an ever growing list of needs in our community. And if you are a non-profit, health care organization or a business helping those in need, email us with your needs, contact information and we will be happy to add you to our growing list.
- SCORE: Visit Scores Coronavirus page for webinars and useful articles for small businesses.
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Have Questions? We're here to help!
North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000
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