Thursday March 4, 2021
Updated Guidance for Vaccinated Travelers, Event Venues, Events and Gatherings   
Event, Arts and Entertainment
Beginning April 2, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. If all attendees present proof of negative test prior to entry, capacity can increase up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors. Social distancing and face coverings will be required by all attendees, as well as strict adherence to all applicable Department of Health guidance.

Vaccinated Domestic Travelers
Domestic travelers to New York State who have been vaccinated no longer have to quarantine or test out within 90 days of their full vaccination.  

Residential Gathering
Beginning March 22, residential gatherings of up to 25 people can be held outdoors. Indoor residential gatherings remain capped at 10 people to reduce the continued risk of spread.

Non-Residential Gatherings
Beginning March 22, Non-residential social gatherings of up to 100 people can occur indoors and up to 200 people can occur outdoors.
Adirondack Relocation Assessment Survey Results
New research conducted by Camoin 310 of Saratoga Springs for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) in Lake Placid and the Economic Development Corporation of Warren County (EDC) shows there is a strong interest for relocation to the Adirondacks across all income brackets in the Regional Market Area. This area includes New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.

A total of 6,733 responses were collected and analyzed by Camoin 310 from January 19, 2021 to January 29, 2021. More than 80% of respondents now live in the Northeast, but there were responses from as far away as Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, and Oregon, as well as international locations.

Key findings indicate that nearly 25% of respondents said they were either "very likely" or
"somewhat likely" to relocate here in the next five years. Some indicated they have already moved here. The majority of the respondents said living in the Adirondack communities with access to high-speed internet, health care, and dining and shopping opportunities is a priority.
Webinar Series: PPP Updates for Your Small Business
The Small Business Administration has some key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which will be available for a limited amount of time to ensure America’s smallest businesses get exclusive access. If you are a small business owner with fewer than 20 employees, or are self-employed; there is new information for you. 


Please join us for a series of webinars hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Public Private Strategies Institute, & other stakeholders to hear about:
  • What steps you can take now to take advantage of this special opportunity, which closes at 5:00 P.M. EST, Tuesday, March 9th, 2021.
  • Additional changes and recent policy announcements made by Biden-Harris Administration
  • Have your questions answered by SBA Leadership

Schedule:
Essential, Necessary Border Town Travel is OK, Vermont Says
Vermont residents who live within five miles of another state border may cross state lines into border towns on “essential and necessary” activity, Vermont government officials have announced in what it calls “common-sense relief.”

This "tweak" of COVID-19 regulations from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) reads as follows:
“Vermont’s travel policy recognizes that many Vermont border towns are culturally and economically inseparable from the neighboring state’s border towns, and provides common-sense relief from Vermont’s quarantine policy for essential and necessary travel between border towns that occurs in the same day. Those living in Vermont may travel five miles into adjacent states without quarantining upon return to Vermont. Those living in adjacent states within five miles of the Vermont border may travel five miles into Vermont without quarantining.

“Essential travel is defined as regular day-to-day travel that must occur for an individual’s health, safety, and economic security, including trips to the grocery store, the doctor, or work. Necessary travel includes travel to participate in an activity that you deem necessary to your physical or mental health – such as worship, going to a gym, getting a haircut, and participating in place-based outdoor recreation. This policy does not extend to cross-state travel for activities such as social gatherings, dining at a restaurant or bar, or going to a purely entertainment indoor venue such as a movie theater or bowling alley.

“Other states may not have safety protocols in place that are as stringent as Vermont’s pandemic safety rules. Residents availing themselves of cross-state travel under this policy may be putting themselves and their community at increased risk. When traveling, residents must follow Vermont’s COVID-19 related health and safety rules, including mandatory masking and strict 6′ physical distancing, when in Vermont or in a border community.”
An Update from Hudson Headwaters
New York State has directed federally qualified health centers like Hudson Headwaters to focus on vaccinating elderly patients. As a first step, and to make the most of our limited supply, we are working in partnership with local health departments and local branches of the Office of the Aging to target patients ages 80 or older. We are contacting these patients directly; there is no waiting list to join.

To date, Hudson Headwaters has given 11,348 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 18% of North Country residents have received at least a first dose, which far exceeds vaccination rates in most other counties across the State. But there’s clearly more work to be done and our health centers, staff and volunteers represent the necessary infrastructure and workforce needed to play a significant role in vaccinating as much of the population as possible once sufficient supplies are available.
**This is paid content sponsored by Livingston Energy**
To help the North Country reopen safely and meet the state and local mandates, The North Country Chamber of Commerce has created a comprehensive list of resources to navigate state and local requirements. Check out the home page for details. There is also a series of webinars available for businesses to help educate and provide answers to common questions.
Today's Dose is Generously Supported By:
QUICK LINKS:
  • NYS Vaccination Updates: Official Site for making an appointment to get the COVID-19 Vaccine.
  • Forward NY: Official State Website for opening procedures and guidelines.
  • NYS Travel Advisory: Stay up to date on the latest NYS Travel Advisory Updates.
  • Looking for Supplies: If your business is looking for hard to find protective products, we have created a list of businesses offering hand sanitizer, gloves, wipes, masks and other items.
  • SCORE: Small business owners are resilient and can power through this challenging time, with SCORE by their side.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000