The Greater Omaha Chamber developed an economic recovery plan to help area businesses navigate the decisions and activities needed to safely resume commerce. While the goal is a more robust level of economic activity, we must not risk pushing public health back into a crisis. Such a relapse would only result in elongating the broader economic recovery and damaging consumer confidence.
The Recovery Plan includes:
- Key Indicators for When Can Commerce Begin Again
- Core Preparedness Responsibilities of State and Local Governments
- Three Stages of Reopening
- Thrive 2020 Task Force
- How Wearing a Mask Helps Keep Others Safe
- Safe Workplace Practices for COVID-19 Response
- Essential Businesses, Operations and Services
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
To learn more, download the We Rise Economic Recovery Plan.
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Stages of Recovery
CAUTION
Businesses closed or operating at reduced capacity. Not open to the public and working remotely where possible.
STAGE ONE
Businesses reopen when able to follow safety and social distancing guidelines. Non-essential travel restricted.
STAGE TWO
Further easing of restrictions. Businesses continue to monitor the health data to stay below crisis levels.
STAGE THREE
A treatment or vaccine is widely adopted, and businesses can now operate without restrictions.
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Omaha Chamber
Current Status
Wear a Mask
Preparing to Reopen
Knowing when to reopen is just as critical as understanding how to reopen safely. We’ve identified key health data indicators to inform the “When” and resources for each business to formulate their “How.” You can find it all in the We Rise Economic Recovery Plan.
1. Follow the Health Data
We’ve identified target benchmarks that are going to inform our decision making and level of business activity. These benchmarks utilize the Pandemic Recovery Acceleration Model (PRAM) Index, published by the Global Center for Health Security at UNMC.
The PRAM index is updated daily and published as part of a larger dashboard. Business and community leaders can use this data to make informed decisions about reopening facilities and bringing employees back to work.
Pandemic Recovery Acceleration Model (PRAM)
The PRAM Index gives both statewide and health care region measurements across six different indexes focusing on disease progression and medical resource availability.
Of the six indices, there are two key measures in the PRAM Index that business owners should pay particular attention to. These two measures are the PRAM TODAY METRIC value for the Confirmed Case Index and the % Positive Test Index.
Before we can safely reopen, the PRAM TODAY METRIC for these two measures must reach and maintain the target benchmarks.
Target Benchmarks
CONFIRMED CASE INDEX
8.6 new cases/day
% POSITIVE TEST INDEX
1%
In the sample dashboard above, the two key indicators are identified by the red arrows. See today’s data and the latest dashboard.
2. Plan and Prepare
To return to work, your employees will need guidance, supplies and confidence that they will be safe. The We Rise Economic Recovery Plan provides a framework to help you prepare your place of business, gather your supplies and train your team for what returning to work will look like.
To keep Omaha businesses informed of the latest government regulations, the Chamber continually updates our COVID-19 Resource Page.
The 3 Stages of Reopening
STAGE ONE
Avoid groups of 10 or more and practice social distancing even while in small groups. Remote work is strongly encouraged. Non-essential travel should be minimized. Each company should review its ability to maintain appropriate physical distance between employees, customers and other stakeholders. Individuals are encouraged to wear masks.
STAGE TWO
Non-essential travel can resume, but remote work and social distancing is still recommended between employees, customers and other stakeholders. Individuals are encouraged to wear masks.
It is important to note that if there is a rebound of the disease, businesses can choose to hold in place or may have to move back to STAGE ONE restrictions.
STAGE THREE
A treatment or vaccine is widely available, and we can now return to the Good Life unrestricted. Remote work and social distancing are no longer required.
Once again, it is important to note that if there is a rebound of the disease, businesses can choose to hold in place or may have to move back to STAGE TWO or STAGE ONE restrictions.
NOTE: And as always, inherent in all of the possible phases of recovery, there is an expectation that individuals and businesses will continue to adhere to federal, state and local guidance regarding hygiene and social distancing.
Recovery
After STAGE THREE, the real work of economic recovery will begin. To develop that plan, the Greater Omaha Chamber has convened a task force of business and community leaders. The THRIVE 2020 Task Force will develop recommendations regarding talent, regulations, finance, public policy, entrepreneurship, economic development, infrastructure and community that will move the region toward the goals established in Omaha 2040.
Thrive 2020 Task Force
Mission: To quickly engage business and community leaders to develop, fund and implement initiatives that will speed the progress toward a thriving regional economy.
