March 30, 2020 E-blast #2
Dear MNLGA Members:
This e-mail is distributed to key contacts; please feel free to share with others in your office.
Following up on my e-blast from earlier this morning. Below is information received from MDA, in italics. As of right now, there has been no change in the definition of what are essential businesses or not. As of last week, the spectrum of Green Industry businesses in Maryland were deemed essential.
Reached out to the governor's office for some guidance. Moving into this new phase of action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, all businesses should make an honest determination if their operation is essential to public health and safety. Businesses that are not directly linked to public health and safety should scale back their operations, if they have not done so already. Specifically, most retail businesses should immediately move to eliminate foot traffic, end curbside pick-up options and move to delivery only.
Please execute common sense and strict COVID-19 precautions in whatever endeavors you take. A couple of members have asked me if there is guidance on how many workers can be in the cab of a truck. No, there is no specific guidance on this other than the 6-foot rule. This is not the time to send out employees shoulder-to-shoulder in a truck. Homeowners will report infractions of social distance and now there will be fines for violations in Maryland. If you have workers out and about, they must take the strictest of COVID-19 precautions, for everyone's sake.
Essential business travel authorization letter
linked here is a template of a letter to give to employees who are engaged in essential work. They can hold on to this letter and use it as authority that the business in which they are engaged is considered essential by Governor Hogan. The Governor did indicate that enforcement of staying home will take place. Your essential employees should keep a copy of this letter, or similar one drafted by you, in his/her vehicle.
Link to guidance on interstate travel, to and from MD and NY. There is quarantine advice within; please read. (Non-essential travel outside of Maryland is prohibited as of this morning's press conference.)
Summary of Governor Hogan’s press conference this morning:
Keep checking the
MNLGA website
for many COVID-19 resources; I update often.
Blood banks across the area are in need. If you are able to give blood, please consider visiting the Red Cross. I think it would be wise to make an appointment rather than arrive unexpectedly. Visit
Greater Chesapeake Region Red Cross
to find a donation center near you.
Please keep me informed of what is going on with your business. If I know what is going on, I may be a better resource to you and to other members as we navigate together this uncharted territory. Feel free to email me at
Vanessa @mnlga.org
.
Vanessa A. Finney
Executive Director, MNLGA
410-823-8684
