With the news of COVID-19, the coronavirus, changing moment by moment, it’s hard to keep up. Sporting events are cancelled. So are concerts, and many other large gatherings. College students across the country are coming home, with extended spring breaks and not knowing if they will return to face-to-face classes this semester.  Spring break travel is being cancelled or delayed.  The list goes on and on.
 
Here in Minnesota, with nine cases now presumptively positive in the state, life is changing, too. Meetings have been cancelled, businesses have ramped up cleaning procedures, and all of us are taking precautions where we can.
 
Here at the Northfield Chamber, we’re making some of those changes, too, but our mission remains the same: serving our local businesses and the community.
 
We can’t panic, but we can prepare. And we can begin taking some commonsense steps toward keeping the community, and our employees, safe. 
 
All Chamber Meetings and Events are postponed/cancelled for the next 2 weeks (March 13- March 29) This includes:
 

• Northfield State of the City Address scheduled for March 16 is postponed until further notice.
• Next Tuesday’s Business After Hours at Northfield Golf Club is postponed until further notice.
• The Dundas State of the City Luncheon scheduled for March 18 is postponed until further notice.
• The Ambassador Committee Meeting on March 19 is cancelled.
• The Chamber Board of Directors Meeting on March 24 as well as Chamber Orientation on March 25 are both cancelled. 
• As of today, our plan is to watch the situation closely and work with our city and school officials on whether we should postpone or cancel our Home and Garden Show on April 4.  We will be making that decision closer to the event and we are working on a contingency plan should we have to cancel.

• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 resource page – Daily updates on the number and nature of Coronavirus cases in Minnesota and best practices for citizens to remain safe and healthy.

• U.S. Chamber guide to healthy habits – Background on COVID-19 and best practices to stay healthy and deal with employee diagnosis.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates – Ongoing updates on the disease, how it is spread, where it exists and testing.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 health updates – Detailed updates on risk factors, symptoms, treatment.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guide for workplaces – Specific to federal standards for preventing spread in workplaces.

• U.S. Chamber guide for employers – Outlines how to work with and communicate to employees, make a business continuity plan before and after employees become sick.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for business – Health and workplace details and suggestions for COVID-19 impacts on different types of businesses and employee activity.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) travel advisories – Ongoing updates on travel advisories within the United States and abroad.
• Minnesota Council – Society of Human Resource Management (MNSHRM) – Resources for HR professionals (login required).

• Quick take on Coronavirus’ economic impact – Summarizes how businesses have been impacted so far.
• U.S. Chamber Foundation guide to corporate aid – A list of corporate entities who donated or changed business practices to help fight COVID-19 around the world. 
• Wall St. Journal guide to economic impacts – Summarizes data points to watch that will define economic impacts.