Dear Members, We are working hard to gather the most up to date and informative information to you regarding COVID-19. Below you will find several websites, press releases and other resources that we wanted to share with you. Please take a moment to review this information and also keep this as a resource as we move forward. As we receive new information, we will pass it along to all of you. As of today, we are proceeding with business as usual for our events and networking opportunities. We are taking each day one at a time with the information we receive. The Chamber Welcome Center remains open as well with additional precautions in place for cleaning and sanitizing throughout the day. We are available for each and every one of you, so please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. Thank you all and be well! Donna Email Includes... • A Link to the Floridadisaster.biz which includes business resources and a link to a business assessment survey • A Memorandum from Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce • ACCE Coronavirus Resource Guide -Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives • Information from VISIT FLORIDA regarding Private Sector Partner and Tourism Weekly Calls • Comprehensive FAQs For Employers On The COVID-19 Coronavirus from Fisher Phillips Important Resource Links Lee.FloridaHealth.Gov www.FloridaHealth.Gov http://cdc.gov/ - Corona Virus Information Page http://floridadisaster.biz/ - Take The Business Assessment Survey Please Follow Facts, Not Fear Memorandum From Mark Wilson, President & CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce To: Florida Chamber Members Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Re: Please Follow Facts, Not Fear - Visit the Florida Chamber Coronavirus Resource Page The Florida Chamber of Commerce urges Floridians and visitors to follow the facts, be cautious but not fearful when it comes to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Florida Chamber is the official state chapter of the National Safety Council, and we are committed to helping keep Floridians safe. The safety of our collective employees is paramount and they deserve the facts. At times like these, it’s important to remember this is a global situation and misinformation and overreacting is causing a secondary impact on our economy. As I’ve said for years, Florida’s economy may be creating one-in-10 new U.S. jobs but our economy is a fragile balance of innovation, trade, tourism and economic diversification. Our Chief Economist is closely monitoring the situation and I’ll be back in touch on that later. For now, let’s focus on safety and the facts. Florida is open for business, for travel and for spring break and we are in 24/7 contact with Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, state public health agencies, VISIT FLORIDA, the CDC and other important partners. If the CDC changes their recommendations, we will let Florida Chamber members know immediately. In the meantime, the Florida Chamber is still traveling and performing business as normal AND I KNOW MOST OF YOU ARE DOING THE SAME. In fact, I’m typing this memo from Miami during our national meeting of the top 100 chambers of commerce in America. I would like to thank all our members who have called to share your stories, concerns and best practices. This is one of those times when we’re all in this together and the infodemic that is happening as a result of the health concerns is having significant secondary impacts on our economy. Days before President Trump addressed the nation, our Chief Economist, Dr. Jerry Parrish, said, "...don’t panic, be smart." He may have been the first to say it, but it was true then and it’s true now. To help Florida Chamber members follow the facts of the Coronavirus, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today released our Florida Chamber Coronavirus resource webpage with information business leaders can use to prepare, both internally and externally, for potential impacts from the Coronavirus. This webpage includes important links from Governor DeSantis’ office, the Emergency Operations Center, Centers for Disease Control, Florida Department of Health and our partners at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and it will be updated regularly. Share this link with your executive leadership, local business partners, employees and friends. For speed, and for your convenience, I have appointed Greg Blosé as our point of contact for information regarding Florida’s COVID-19 information. Greg is a veteran of the Florida Emergency Operations Center as he has staffed many hurricanes and served as our point of contact during the Zika virus as well. Should you have any best practices, suggestions or questions, please contact Greg Blosé at gblose@flchamber.com or call 850-521-1243. Again, we’re in this together and we will be in touch regularly. ACCE Coronavirus Resource Guide Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives ACCE has compiled resources for chambers and their members on Coronavirus pandemic response, as well as chamber crisis management plans. We just added templates that chambers can use as a starting point for communicating with members, staff, event registrants and more. https://resources.acce.org/crisismanagement VISIT FLORIDA Private Sector Partner and Tourism Weekly Calls VISIT FLORIDA is coordinating weekly calls with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on responding to COVID-19. In support of the Florida Department of Health in response to COVID-19 in Florida, weekly conference calls began today for Florida's Private Sector and Tourism partners. Please join future calls using the call-in information below. Also see the attached file for additional details. Florida JIC Private Sector and Tourism Conference Call Every Wednesday 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM Call-In Information Call-In Number: 888-585-9008 Private Sector Partner and Tourism Call Information - Hosted by the Florida Department of Health Comprehensive FAQs For Employers On ' The COVID-19 Coronavirus Fisher Phillips has assembled a cross-disciplinary taskforce of attorneys across the country to address the many employment-related issues facing employers in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The COVID-19 Taskforce has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which has been continually updated since first published on March 3 and will continue to be updated as events warrant. It now includes sections on Remote Work Policies and Workers’ Compensation, added on March 9. https://www.fisherphillips.com/resources-alerts-comprehensive-faqs-for-employers-on-the-covid Additional Questions Can Be Directed To: Elizabeth Hickman Business Development Manager Fisher & Phillips, LLP 450 East Las Olas Boulevard, Ste. 800 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 ehickman@fisherphillips.com (954) 847-4713
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