Update from the Chamber on COVID-19

The Chamber wants to support your business or organization through the impacts of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and seeks your help in preventing spread in our community.

The pandemic has had a vast impact on our local economy. This page is intended to provide you with the best sources of information we’ve found, as well as suggestions to help continue to mitigate the impact of this virus on your business, organization, and family. While this message is geared towards business and workplace responses, if you’d like recommendations for home resources, please click here. If you are considering a visit to Tompkins County, we welcome you, and you can find more information on our tourism website, click here

Priority Information for the Business Community

• Tompkins County is in the Southern Tier region of NYS
• Tompkins County is now vaccinating for Phase 1a and Phase 1b as supply allows. Cayuga Health System and Tompkins County are distributing Coronavirus vaccines to eligible groups.It is estimated that the populations included in these phases in NYS could take up to 14 weeks to vaccinate; please remain patient but alert to clinic availability and registration opportunities.
• If you are an employer of people eligible in Phase 1A or 1B, please share this important information with your staff – and do what you can to support them being vaccinated when the next clinics/allocations are available.
• If your employees qualify for Phase 1a or 1b, please consider allowing them to leave work or schedule their appointment during working hours to facilitate maximum vaccination rates for our community, and ensure that our allocated doses go to the appropriate populations. Doing your part to support employees going whenever they can get an appointment will help ensure that your workforce and our broader community populations are protected as soon as possible.
• Widespread adoption and facilitation of vaccinations are one of the best ways for us to do our part to achieve that goal. Please also remain vigilant about masks, social distancing, workplace density reductions, and other methods to reduce exposure and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Still in need of Reopening Resources? MAKE SURE YOU…

1. Review Guidelines
2. Create your Safety Plan
3. Procure Supplies
4. Train Your Team
5. Submit Affirmation to NYS
6. Reopen!

CLICK HERE for our Business Resources page, to find all of the information and resources you need to support a successful reopening!

Important Considerations For Your Reopening Business:

• Be compliant with government-issued guidelines 
• Understand Your Employer Obligations: You are legally obligated to provide a safe workplace and to make accommodations for those with disabilities. Protecting your workplace and team from the spread of Coronavirus is no different.
  • Here is guidance from OSHA: Getting the Workplace Ready for COVID-19
  • Here is guidance from EEOC: Pandemic Preparedness and the ADA
• Strategic Planning for Reopening Operations: Prepare your business, employees, suppliers, and customers for resumed operations, considering changes in consumer behavior, supply chain issues, and above all the health and safety of your workplace. Assess your capabilities, barriers, and take action.
• Use Your Professional Associations for Support: Many professional networks and organizations are offering webinars and other resources for employers. Make use of these opportunities!
• Get Updates Regularly: Ensure you are checking back with numerous sources regularly for the most up to date guidance and information regarding the spread of this virus.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Tompkins County Health Department

It is our shared responsibility to stem the spread of this virus. Tompkins County Public Health officials are staying in close contact with New York State Department of Health, the CDC, and other area institutions to manage our community’s response to this threat.

To see the number of tests and confirmed cases in Tompkins County visit the Health Department website. Since it has a long incubation period, it could be over two weeks from initial exposure until symptoms appear, and even longer before people are tested and cases are confirmed.

Centers for Disease Control

The CDC has the most resources for all groups, but specifically speaks to how businesses should prepare for this outbreak. “All employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from COVID-19 while ensuring continuity of operations. During a COVID-19 outbreak, all sick employees should stay home and away from the workplace, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene should be encouraged, and routine cleaning of commonly touched surfaces should be performed regularly.”

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

US Chamber of Commerce

“All employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from the Coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations. Download these guides created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 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.”

https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/resilience-box 

Colleges Offer Guidance and Resources

Cornell University Updates

Ithaca College Updates

Tompkins Cortland Community College Updates

With questions call the Chamber at 607-273-7080, or email us at info@tompkinschamber.org.

* A brief reminder that we are not doctors or legal experts – just your friendly local Chamber doing our best to keep you informed.*