NH State Representative Steven Smith

Update for June 13 – Renters and Businesses

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

Summary

There is a lot of information for how to transition from stay at home. This includes the lifting of eviction moratoriums, business opening dates, and more. ~ Steve

New case count keeps declining but number of deaths keeps rising

https://www.concordmonitor.com/covid-coronavirus-nh-new-hampshire-34735856

New Hampshire to go from stay-at-home to ‘safer’ at home

“Gov. Chris Sununu is allowing New Hampshire’s stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic to expire on Monday, June 15, and transition to a “safer at home” advisory with no social gathering limitations or distinctions between essential and nonessential businesses.

“We feel very confident in taking some additional steps forward,” Sununu said at a news conference Thursday.”

https://apnews.com/6f8fc55e1c57595a48e0af4459b6ed59

Stay-at-home order to expire next week; gyms, pools, bowling alleys set to reopen

“Gov. Chris Sununu is lifting the state’s stay-at-home order and allowing most businesses to reopen with restrictions by the end of the month, while still urging Granite Staters to wear masks and maintain social distancing during what he called New Hampshire’s new normal.”

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-coronavirus-update-june-11-2020/32837341

All NH businesses now have date to reopen

“As Gov. Chris Sununu ended the ban on gatherings of more than 10, he also announced his stay-at-home order will expire Monday, meaning all employers can now require anyone to return to work.

Sununu said Thursday he studied setting a new limit on gathering sizes, but decided any other number would be “arbitrary” as long as people are heeding the state’s advice to wear a mask while in public and to maintain social distance.”

https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/coronavirus/all-nh-businesses-now-have-date-to-reopen/article_558bfac2-5c67-5163-9fa3-7d7fcb426d9f.html?block_id=853108

7 new deaths attributed to COVID-19 in NH; 34 cases announced

“Seven new deaths in New Hampshire attributed to COVID-19, the diseased caused by the novel coronavirus, were announced on Thursday afternoon.

Lori Shibinette, the commissioner of the state Department of Health and Human Services, announced that all seven deaths were connected to long-term care facilities.”

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-coronavirus-data-update-june-11-2020/32842411

Fund to aid NH renters launched as eviction, foreclosure moratorium is lifted

“Gov. Chris Sununu on Thursday yesterday announced that the moratorium on initiating eviction and foreclosure proceedings will be lifted July 1, and at the same time he allocated $35 million in federal CARES Act funding to help households suffering from foregone revenue or increased expenses to pay past-due rent.”

https://www.nhbr.com/fund-to-aid-nh-renters-launched-as-eviction-foreclosure-moratorium-is-lifted/

New Hampshire Nonprofit Grants

The New Hampshire Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund was established by Governor Chris Sununu through the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR). The State of New Hampshire will award grants from the allocated $60 million to help nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, have partnered to administer this program.

To learn more, there is a webinar available on Monday – https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7882796190594518284

Click to access covid-19-update-06122020.pdf

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Update for June 12

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

Many things reopening with new rules

There are a lot of different rules for various businesses and venues, and an even greater number of internet rumors about the conditions for them. You can always just check for yourself at https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov ~ Steve

What election process may look like in NH

https://www.concordmonitor.com/Granite-State-News-Collaborative-34719487

America’s Meatpacking Facilities Operating More Than 95% of Capacity Compared to 2019

Facilities Practicing Safe Reopening to Ensure a Stable Food Supply

(Washington, D.C., June 9, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the safe reopening of critical infrastructure meatpacking facilities across the United States. As of this morning, across the cattle, swine, and broiler sectors, processing facilities are operating more than 95% of their average capacity compared to this time last year. In fact, beef facilities are operating at 98%, pork facilities are operating at 95%, and poultry facilities are operating at 98% of their capacity compared to the same time last year. America’s meatpacking facilities are safely resuming operations following President Trump’s Executive Order directing the facilities to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines specifically created for the meat and poultry sector response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conjunction with the CDC, OSHA, and state and local health officials have been working around the clock to ensure a safe and stable supply of protein is available for American consumers all while keeping employees safe.

Background:

CDC and OSHA have issued guidance for plants to implement to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure employee safety while maintaining operations. USDA will continue to work with the CDC, OSHA, and state and local officials to keep these critical facilities open while maintaining worker safety.

State epidemiologist answers coronavirus questions

Governor, State Officials hold press conference

You can view the press conference with Governor Sununu and state officials at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjBViNaNRUg

NHBR: NH landlords, bankers voice concern over bill to aid tenants, homeowners

“New Hampshire landlords and mortgage holders came out against a bill that aims at keeping tenants and homeowners in their homes after the governor’s emergency order preventing evictions and foreclosures is lifted.

That stay, which was imposed on March 17, ends when the governor’s emergency order expires, and the concern is that a “rush of evictions and foreclosures” could follow and “destabilize the housing market,” testified Sen. Dan Feltes, D-Concord on Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee”

https://www.nhbr.com/nh-landlords-bankers-voice-concern-over-bill-to-aid-tenants-homeowners/

SNHU will not have on-campus classes this fall

Southern New Hampshire University has announced that it will stay with remote learning through the fall semester.

The school will reduce the cost of classes to the rates it uses for online courses. https://www.wmur.com/article/southern-new-hampshire-university-will-not-have-on-campus-classes-this-fall/32826255

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – June 11, 2020

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
On Thursday, June 11, 2020, DHHS announced 34 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 5,209 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there is one individual under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 68% being female and 32% being male.

The new cases reside in Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (10), Rockingham (7), Merrimack (3), Belknap (2), Cheshire (1), and Sullivan (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (9) and Nashua (1).

Four new hospitalized cases were identified for a total of 504 (10%) of 5,209 cases. One of the new cases had no identified risk factors. Community-based transmission continues to occur in the State and has been identified
in all counties. Most of the remaining cases have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or are associated with an outbreak setting.
DHHS has also announced 7 additional deaths related to COVID-19. We offer our sympathies to the family and friends.
• 2 male residents of Hillsborough County, 60 years of age and older
• 5 female residents of Hillsborough County, 60 years of age and older

Map of Cumulative Positive Cases

Click to access covid-19-update-06112020.pdf

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June 11 Update – New Rules for Monday

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

Thursday COVID update: Stay-at-home ends Monday; NH tops 300 deaths

“Most limits under the stay-at-home order will be lifted at the end of Monday, allowing businesses from museums and libraries to private gyms and amateur sports to open, although often with limits on capacity.

The end of the stay-at-home order means that only movie theaters, performing arts venues and amusement parks will have to stay shut as of Monday. Gov. Chris Sununu said they can open starting June 29, as more guidelines are drawn up.” – Read more at https://www.concordmonitor.com/covid-coronavirus-nh-new-hampshire-34716988

0611newcasesaverage

Guidelines

Concord, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu announced that New Hampshire’s Stay at Home Order will expire on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 11:59 PM, along with the cap on gatherings of 10 or less.

Effective Monday, June 15, 2020, the following industries may reopen under new guidance:

Additionally, Governor Sununu announced that Indoor Movie Theaters, Performing Arts, and Amusement Parks may begin reopening on Monday, June 29, 2020. Guidance for these industries will be released early next week.

Note: All released guidance documents may be found at covidguidance.nh.gov

GOFERR Meeting of the Legislative Advisory Board

Wednesday, June 17th at 1 pm.
Call-in: 800-356-8278
PIN: 389388

Anyone having difficulties connecting to the conference should call: 603-271-7840

Pursuant to RSA 91-A:2, this meeting is open to the public.

https://www.goferr.nh.gov/

CARES act Funding:

$35 M – for Housing and Rental Assistance
$50 M – for Broadband Expansion
$15 M – for Homeless Sheltering
$2 M – for Partnerships with Chambers of Commerce
$10 M – for Private Colleges and Universities (with endowments of less than $300,000, and in good financial health prior to COVID-19)
$30 M – additional to Hospital Fund for Long-Term Care Facilities

Click to access covid-19-update-06112020.pdf