The St. Lawrence County Chamer of Commerce is offering a number of recommendations and resources to help businesses reopen safely amid the coronavirus pandemic as restrictions are reduced.

If you are an essential business that has been open or are included in Phase One, you will need to:

1) Create a Business Safety Plan, share it with your employees and keep it on file at your business. You do not need to submit it.

Several industry specific plans are available online.

NYS has provided templates for the Phase 1 Businesses that you can use as reference, such as for retail operations. All Phase 1 here.

The US Chamber of Commerce has links by sector to guidelines that can be put into a plan. Such as restaurants and others.

St. Lawrence County Public Health has created a Reopening Rubric Checklist.

The SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center is also available to help create your plans with no-cost counseling. Make a virtual appointment here.

2) Utilize the NY Forward website to:

View Guidelines for your industry

Read and Affirm your compliance through the online form.

3) Prepare your workplace:

Print and post flyers for customers and employees that are helpful to your business (CDC posters)

Utilize a daily sign in to track symptoms and help stop the spread: Download template from St. Lawrence Public Health here.

Stock up on necessary supplies.

4) Communicate with customers, suppliers and employees so that they know what the new processes, procedures, hours, etc are. Utilize your website, social media, online listings, email and phone calls to let people know you are open!

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