Dear Ruppert Team,
Thank you for continuing to work hard and persevere during this challenging time. We hope you and your families are safe and healthy and that you are keeping your spirits up.
With the number of reported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) increasing, there is a constant flood of updates from governing bodies and guidelines from health organizations aimed at reducing the spread of the virus. We recognize that every new announcement by our state and federal government can cause confusion. Here’s an update on where we stand today:
At this point, most states are mandating social distancing, and some have limited social gathering places such as schools, restaurants, malls, bars and gyms. In addition to these directives, the governors of several states have ordered the closure of non-essential businesses in order to reduce the spread of the virus. Of the states where we either have branches or large constructions project underway, only Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania have placed operating restrictions on businesses. We have reviewed these states’ interpretive guidance for essential businesses in critical infrastructure sectors, which includes all commercial and residential construction companies and building and property maintenance companies, including landscapers. Like many similar commercial service providers like plumbers, electricians, HVAC service companies, roofers, environmental services companies and janitorial services (to name a few) we are expected to continue operating. Our customers and employees are relying on us and we are continuing to provide service while practicing increased social distancing and sanitizing measures as outlined in previous communications.
In other states where we have branches and/or do business like Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma (ongoing construction projects in these states), we have not seen these business restrictions.
We are consulting with professional advisors, industry leaders, and those of you on the front lines on a daily basis to gather information that will help us make informed decisions. As an essential service, we are expected to continue operating and we are doing so with the safety of our employees, customers and nation top of mind. It’s a great time to think outside the box and we’re encouraging each of you to share any innovative ideas you may have that will help us keep our employees safe, enable us to provide new or enhanced service solutions for our customers and help our company remain viable and part of the solution both now and in the coming months. Along these lines, we are assembling a small group in the maintenance division who will be spraying and disinfecting some outside areas for some of our DC customers. We will perform this service for the first time soon and we will keep you posted on the outcome.
We will continue to keep you up to date on federal and state directives as well as how it’s effecting our company. If you have any questions, concerns or innovative ideas you’d like to share, please reach out to your supervisor or branch manager. We thank you for the hard work and sensible decisions you are making both at home and in the field. We have every confidence that together we can handle the health and economic challenges that are facing us. Please keep a positive attitude and know that we appreciate your efforts during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Craig and Phil