A Message from the Guilderland Chamber Regarding Coronavirus

by | Mar 12, 2020 | Important Information

Guilderland Chamber of Commerce – Plan of Action for Potential Impact of Coronavirus:

To our Guilderland Chamber members, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) will most likely have an impact on our member businesses and on our business itself. We are closely monitoring information and updates provided by the CDC, NYS Health Departments, Albany County, and Town Officials, and make future decisions based on what health authorities are recommending.

It is also important in this time, as a consumer & community member to remember the importance of remaining calm and continuing to support our small & local businesses. Follow the recommendations from the CDC. We encourage you to get delivery/take-out from local restaurants, shop at local businesses’ online stores, and buy gift cards at our local members businesses to support them in this stressful time. Stay tuned for a resource guide for supporting local businesses during this time.

Below we have outlined what steps we at the chamber are taking to monitor this ever-changing situation and move forward.

  • Events & Meetings:
    • The Guilderland Chamber will be cancelling all events & groups until April 1, 2020. That includes:
      • March 14 – Census Application Event – Please note, Census Recruiting ends Mar. 30 (Will be rescheduled)
      • March 17 – Titan Tuesday’s Leads Group
      • March 19 – Business Advisor in Residence at the Guilderland Chamber Offices (Will be rescheduled)
      • March 23 – Kickstart Your Membership (Will be rescheduled)
      • March 27 – Fridays Leads Group
    • Please check our website or social media for information on upcoming events:
  • Guilderland Chamber Offices:
    • It is a strong possibility that the Guilderland Chamber offices will close and be working remotely. If this occurs, we will publish information regarding closures on our website and social media.
    • Contact information for the chamber staff can be found here:
  • Impact on Businesses:
    • For your business: Prepare for potentially negative economic impacts. Develop staffing plans for varying levels of customers and revenue (what does an 80% scenario plan look like?). Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and options.
    • For your customers: Make your place of business as hygienic as possible and communicate what you are doing to customers, so they feel comfortable visiting.
    • For your employees: Check, modify, and communicate HR policies regarding remote working, sick-leave, and compensation during health crisis. Try to ensure your policies are as flexible and non-punitive as possible. Sick employees should be encouraged to stay home.
    • For your workflow: Cross-train employees for key functions so that daily schedules can continue relatively uninterrupted by potential employee absences. Where relevant, consider staggering start and end times to reduce large numbers of people coming together at the same time; and create and test remote employee collaboration systems (consider apps such as Slack and Zoom).
  • Resource Guide:

Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. Remain calm and listen to the official information from the CDC. If need be, we will develop creative ways to continue to be a place of connection for our business community!

Sincerely,

Danielle Walsh, Executive Director, Guilderland Chamber