It has been an unprecedented couple of weeks, with the world reacting with uncertainty to the Coronavirus and market news.

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and our affiliate organizations have been closely monitoring the outbreak and its impact on our members and communities. Our commitment lies with serving you and our region in any capacity we can during this difficult time.

Listed below is an update on how the Chamber of Commerce is currently responding.

Please note: This may change as new information arises.

Chamber events, operations

It is important that our members and future members remain safe and secure from any potential exposure to the Coronavirus.

In the best interest of our members and staff, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, the Chamber office will be CLOSED until further notice.

Chamber staff will be teleworking, responding to emails and voicemail messages.

In addition, all events and committee meetings have been canceled or postponed.

We will be closely monitoring the situation and provide updates as they are received.

Please check our Facebook page or visit salisburyarea.com for the most up to date information.

Business resources for nusinesses

The Chamber encourages everyone to understand the facts about Covid-19 in order to make rational decisions. To that end, we encourage you to regularly check the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website for the latest information on Covid-19 at cdc.gov.

Visit businessexpress.maryland.gov for up-to-date information on recovery programs for businesses affected adversely by the coronavirus through Federal and State programs.

Additionally, the Small Business Administration will work directly with state governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus.

For more information, visit sba.gov.

The Chamber will continue to update business resources on our website, through social media and weekly e-blasts as it is received.

The Chamber is receiving hundreds of business and organizational changes to operating hours, staffing and other service interruptions.

While we realize the importance of this information, it will be difficult for Chamber staff to share the continuous updates which we are receiving.

We kindly ask affected businesses to use their social media, website and email to get the word out promptly.

Please continue to forward other business-related news for posting on SBYbiz.org.

Assisting partners

Until further notice, restaurants in Maryland can no longer offer dine-in service for their patrons.  Hotels and smaller retail businesses are also feeling the effects of this pandemic.

We encourage everyone to visit the Facebook group DELMARVA EATS for information on restaurant hours, menus and daily specials.

Please continue to support local small businesses by ordering delivery, carry-out service or buy gift cards to support our local restaurants, hotels, and retailers, for use NOW or in the future.

We are all in this together, and we will all come out of these challenging times stronger and wiser.

Please do not hesitate to call on your Chamber for assistance or advice at 410-749-0144 or by emailing sacc@salisburyarea.com.

Bill Chambers is President and CEO of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce.