Capitol Center, Tupelo, Others Try To Ease NH COVID-19 Concerns

CONCORD, NH — In an effort to be transparent, create some normalcy, and also present precautions to their customers in New Hampshire, local, regional, and national businesses began offering communications this week about the new coronavirus. Some are explaining everything they are doing to preserve hygiene and stem the spread of COVID-19 — which hasn't been as bad in the state as it has in other places. Others are attempting to mix in a bit of lightheartedness while also emphasizing the seriousness of the current health conditions.

Nicolette Clarke, the executive director of the Capitol Center for the Arts and the Bank of NH Stage in Concord, informed patrons Wednesday that they were increasing cleaning and disinfecting protocols at both venues and installing hand sanitizing stations in multiple locations. Anti-bacterial wipes will also be available for patrons to use on surfaces such as chairs and tables. Customers will also be asked to "slip your own ticket under the scanner rather than handing it to an usher" in order to limit contact between employees and customers.

"These and other social distance protocols are being implemented across our operations," she said. "We continue to educate our staff and volunteers on the healthy hygiene practices and ask you to do the same."

Clarke said the Capitol Center and other venues were communicating and sharing information, "closely monitoring" recommendations issued by public health authorities and government agencies.

"As of now, our confirmed performances will go on as scheduled," Clarke said. "We are anticipating there may be some tours that will be moving their CCA/BNHS dates to the fall. And of course, we cannot rule out some cancellations."

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Scott Hayward, the owner of the Tupelo Music Hall in Derry, informed customers Thursday that common areas of the facility like restrooms, handrails, door handles, and other surfaces will be "thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before each show and periodically during each show." Servers will be disinfecting iPads after every transaction and the venue is also installing hand sanitizing stations this week, too.

"Our staff has been asked to observe New Hampshire state-recommended personal health protocols and to remain at home if they are feeling ill, or if they may have been exposed to COVID-19," Hayward said. "We ask any patron who may have been exposed to COVID-19, or who is exhibiting symptoms, to please stay home. These symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath."

For regular patrons, "you might get a 'knuckle bump' rather than a handshake when you see familiar staff," he said, adding they remained committed to continuing to bring great bands and music to the state.

Planet Fitness, which has nearly 1,800 locations across the United States and is headquartered in Hampton, informed customers that their hundreds of employees in the state "conduct regular and thorough cleaning of all equipment, surfaces, and areas of the club and gym floor using disinfectant cleaning supplies," and also perform "overnight deep cleaning" on their facilities.

But while the company is doing its part to keep its facilities clean and safe, CEO Chris Rondeau said it was important for customers, too, to help in that effort. Beyond adhering to all of the advice already being shared by official sources, like staying home and not working out if you're sick, wiping down equipment before and after each use with the company's cleaning spray needed to be done by all customers.

Best Buy is also been discussing the coronavirus with its regional and local employees in an effort to keep both customers and employees safe, too.

"We have ramped up cleaning services at our stores and are adding hand sanitizer at the front entrances and at all cash registers," a company email stated. "Sanitizing wipes are near workstations and counters so that employees can keep them continuously cleaned."

Southwest Airlines is the busiest airline at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Londonderry and the company wants its customers to know that while it already performs extensive aircraft cleaning, it was enhancing its cleaning procedures so that customers would "feel confident when traveling" on the company's jets.

Normally, the company spends between six and seven hours each evening cleaning every plane, using EPA-approved, hospital-grade disinfectant in the lavatories and interior cabins. As of last week, the company is using the hospital-grade disinfectant throughout each plane. Each plane also has high efficiency particulate air filters on each plane to remove airborne particles.

Ryan Green, the senior vice president and chief marketing officer, reminded customers that the company has some of the most flexible booking policies in the industry allowing travelers to postpone flights, re-book flights, and use credits for future flights, without penalties or fees, so long as they are canceled within 10 minutes of departure.

"These policies have always been in place at Southwest Airlines and provide our customers peace of mind every day," he said. "We never charge customers a fee to change or cancel (though fare differences might apply) their flights."

What You Can Do

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms. Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing).
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.

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