This link will be updated as we receive info from government entities, the PA Chamber, US Chamber, White House, state and federal agencies and resources, as well as the community. Feel free to check back/refresh often for the latest info.
Links to Important Websites with COVID-19 Information:
Center for Disease Control (CDC) Resources
DCED offers working capital loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information will be posted to http://dced.pa.gov/resources as they become available.
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in addition to local funding partners, may also be a source of assistance for affected businesses.
SBA Guidance and Loan Resources
Unemployment Information Related to the Coronavirus
Resources for Non-Profit Organizations:
Faith Community Notices:
The Community Lenten Luncheons have been put on hold. Contact your local church for individual schedule modifications and online options. if any.
The weekly community meal has been severely impacted which jeopardizes low/fixed income and disadvantaged people (50-100 people per week). To-go meals are being planned. Some who provide meals (churches and businesses) have had to back out and therefore other volunteers have been asked to step up. Thank you to all who are helping those in need.
Churches are a source for prayer, help and encouragement in difficult times, but are also affected by social distancing since they rely on weekly offerings for support. Be advised your church may have donation options (online and other) during this crisis.
Backpack programs
School district backpack programs have been activated during the school closings. Donations may be needed, depending on the length of the closings. Consult school district websites for updates.
PA Closures (As of March 17, 2020)
State Park & Forest Facilities closed for 14 days, effective 3/17/2020. (The public still has access to trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking and cycling. Gathering in large groups is not advised and all scheduled group events are canceled.)
All PennDOT Driver License Centers and Photo License Centers in Pennsylvania will be closed for two weeks effective close of business on Monday, March 16. Expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations, and safety and emission inspections will also be extended. Learn more about PennDOT info.
Latest Federal Guidelines for Businesses during the COVID-19 crisis period:
Latest Federal Guidance (6pm 3/16/2020) – for at least the next 15 days:
- Practice good hygiene – disinfect used items, cough into elbow, wash hands thoroughly, use anti-bacterial products.
- Avoid social visits, driving trips and groups of more than 10 people – work from home whenever possible.
- When working, practice social distancing – i.e. stay at least an arm’s length apart
- If you are sick STAY HOME. Advocate for workers to stay home if ill.
- Consult medical advice via phone and online/virtual/video sources
- Older citizens should self-isolate, along with people with underlying medical conditions.
- Younger people should know they will feel like they have only a cold, but could expose older and other vulnerable people to the virus at a much more significant risk.
- It is ill-advised to visit long-term care, assisted living and other senior environments.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES (Cleaning/Disinfecting Guidelines and more) – CLICK Here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Career Link Office Closing March 17-31
Effective tomorrow, 3/17, the Bedford County PA CareerLink® will temporarily be closed to the public through 3/31, reopening on April 1st. PLEASE NOTE: Bedford County PA CareerLink® staff will still be on call to answer questions and provide many services via phone, live-chat and virtual web meetings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chamber Events Update:
In keeping with PA and CDC guidelines, the Chamber is canceling or postponing all events planned in -person within the next 8 weeks; we will work to offer programming/information/”events” using technology whenever possible. Please check our website, social media and your email for updates.
We are working to reschedule the Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show and will announce a new date as soon as possible. Events scheduled beyond the 8-week timeline will be reviewed as we work through this crisis.
Meetings involving school-related programs and events will be canceled until school resumes. Committee meetings that can still be held will take place via conference call when possible. If you have any questions please let us know.
The Chamber staff will be working from home to some degree with limited office hours. If you need immediate assistance and find no answer at the Chamber office, please call Kellie Goodman Shaffer (cell) at 814-937-8049 or email.
Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we, like our business community, try to navigate these uncharted waters. If there is anything we can do to help you, please let us know.