As Kentucky responds to threats posed by COVID-19, The Lane Report, while taking appropriate measures to protect its staff, is continuing to provide you with up-to-date information about the steps commonwealth businesses and organizations are taking to combat spread of the coronavirus.
During these uncertain times, and to help stop its spread changing daily, Kentuckians can count on The Lane Report to provide accurate and up-to-date reports about the virus, its effects on the business community and individuals, the strategies for dealing with COVID-19 and the government’s directives. From our monthly magazine’s in-depth business solutions stories to our daily Faster Lane email newsletter, The Lane Report remains committed to being Kentucky’s No. 1 source for business news and events.
To share your company’s coronavirus response plan – or the unique ways your business is staying connected with the community during this crisis – email news releases to [email protected]. To make sure you never miss a coronavirus update – and tons of other interesting business news stories – sign up for our free Faster Lane email newsletter.
“The Lane Report embraces its role to provide timely coronavirus updates and share solutions and best practices for conducting business while keeping your staff and customers safe and helping combat the spread of the virus,” said Mark Green, executive editor of The Lane Report. “For many, the fear of the unknown is causing anxiety and unrest. Be sure to get your updates from credible news sources. The Lane Report is working hard to let you know what’s going on as it happens, and help you plan ahead, so you and your business can respond appropriately.”
View an ongoing list of closures and cancelations compiled by The Lane Report at https://www.lanereport.com/122806/2020/03/cancelations-postponements-due-to-covid-19/. Email [email protected] to have an event added to the list.
All businesses that can allow employees to work remotely have been encouraged to do so. Here are some tips on how to work safely and smarter during this crisis:
- Work remotely wherever possible.
- Be a team player. Emotions are running high, and everyone is dealing with challenges that have up-ended their routines and made normal workdays more stressful. Be gracious. Go easy on each other.
- Limit all corporate events and travel.
- Provide hand sanitizer in all offices and business areas.
- Conduct virtual meetings and conference calls instead of in-person meetings.
- Provide employees with best practices guidelines regarding the virus.
- Deep-clean office space and sanitize all surfaces every day.
For those working remotely, here are a few additional pointers:
- Get dressed for work and stick to your morning routine. Try to maintain your normal working hours.
- Having a dedicated workspace is crucial to remote-work success.
- Try to limit distractions, but go easy on yourself – and your loved ones – when life interrupts your new working situation.
- Eat healthy lunches and schedule more (virtual) check-ins with your coworkers.
Childcare centers to close Friday
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday announced that all childcare centers will be closing Friday, and bars and restaurants are now closed to in-person dining. These announcements are just the latest in a long list of steps the state has taken, and recommendations officials have made, to stop the spread of the virus and attempt to “flatten the curve.”
The childcare center closure policy will be forthcoming, according to a release from the governor’s office. It will include an exception for health care workers, and there will be some on-site employer exceptions.
“I know it’s going to be hard, but it’s all necessary. I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe that we had to do it,” Beshear said. “But we will make it.”
The Centers for Disease Control is now recommending that for the next eight weeks, organizers of events should cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 of more people.
Anxiety is running high, but Beshear encouraged Kentuckians to remain calm and be “good teammates.”
“We’re going to be dealing with this for some time. I cannot tell you how long, but I need everybody to be a good citizen – to remember that this is Team Kentucky. This is us against the coronavirus,” said Gov. Beshear. “At this point, it is all hands on deck. Every single one of us is important in this fight. I hope it gives you a sense of purpose and patriotic duty: to your country, to this commonwealth. What we do is we protect one another. Let’s defeat this. Let’s defeat it on our first try.”
A recap of some of Kentucky’s steps to contain the spread of COVID-19
- The governor has recommended that all Kentuckians adopt social distancing practices, staying at least 6 feet away from others while in public.
- Beshear recommended that businesses utilize telecommuting and allow employees to work from home if possible.
- The May Primary Election has been postponed until June 23, according to a release from the governor’s office.
- In-person classes at Kentucky public schools have been canceled for the next few weeks, and the governor has warned families to be prepared for schools to be out for many weeks.
- Most Kentucky colleges and universities have ceased in-person classes.
- All restaurants and bars have been closed to in-person dining as of Monday, March 16. Beshear’s order specifies that establishments offering carry-out, delivery and drive-thru orders must make sure that patrons and employees engage in appropriate social distancing.
- Government offices around the state will be closed to in-person services as of 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 17.
- The Kentucky Public Service Commission has ordered all utilities under its jurisdiction to suspend all disconnections for non-payment, as well as late payment fees, to provide relief to customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To help those who might have a driver’s licenses expiring in the coming weeks, a three-month extension on driver’s licenses has been offered.
- The state is taking steps to waive the waiting period for unemployment for those who are losing their jobs because of COVID-19. Kentuckians who temporarily lose their jobs or are quarantined because of the coronavirus will be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, and the seven-day waiting period will be waived.
- Visits to senior care and long-term care facilities have been limited. Beshear recommended the temporary closure of senior centers to limit the spread of the virus.
- All state prisons are closed to visitors.
- The governor has advised that all community gatherings be canceled.
- Beshear has asked hospitals to cease elective surgical procedures by Wednesday, March 18.
Add Comment