NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FASTEST GROWING ONLINE NEWSPAPER

Sununu order prohibits utility shutoffs, evictions; city offices closed to public

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Editor's note: The Rochester Voice will continue to run a COVID-19 roundup in this space until the pandemic eases and the State of Emergency is lifted.

New Hampshire's governor enacted a series of sweeping emergency orders on Tuesday that give residents suffering financial hardships due to business layoffs and shutdowns some breathing room as they scramble to make ends meet on a day to day basis.

Meanwhile in Rochester this will be the first day that government offices will be closed to the public.

While city employees will still go to work, all interaction with the public is expected to take place by fax, over the phone or online.

During a morning press conference on Tuesday New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu outlines several steps that should reassure residents that the state of New Hampshire is doing what it can to calm jittery residents facing financial stress.

First all providers of electric, gas, water, telephone, cable, VOIP, internet service, and deliverable fuel services will be prohibited from disconnecting or discontinuing service for non-payments for the duration of the State of Emergency.

Secondly landlords will not be allowed to start eviction proceedings for those unable to pay due to their financial situations. To do so would be against the law. All judicial and non-judicial foreclosure actions will also be prohibited during the state of emergency.

Finally and most important, those who are unable to work or who have reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have immediate access to unemployment benefits.

Anyone in the following situations will now be eligible for state unemployment:

If your employer temporarily closes due to COVID-19;

Individuals that need to self-quarantine or are directed to quarantine at the instruction of a health care provider, employer or government official;

Individuals that need to care for a family member that has COVID-19 or is under quarantine;

Individuals that need to care for a dependent because of school closures, child care facility closures or other similar types of care programs;

Self-employed individuals that are temporarily unable to operate their business because of any of the above listed situations will also be eligible.

Gov. Sununu stressed that those seeking to collect unemployment benefits go to the website www.nhes.nh.gov or call 271-7700 to get started. He said unemployment funds will be sent directly to a residents' bank account as swiftly as possible once the paperwork - which can all be done online - is completed.

The governor also said that those who have a temporary license plate after purchasing a car will now have until April 20 to register it permanently.

The governor also directed small business owners to reach out the Small Business Administration for low-interest loans.

Meanwhile, Frisbie Memorial Hospital is vigorously preparing for any uptick in coronavirus cases and making sure they have all the necessary supplies for any eventuality.

"Frisbie Memorial Hospital routinely evaluates and monitors supply levels, Landry said on Tuesday. "We are in close collaboration with our supply chain organization who is monitoring industry information and working with our vendor partners to assess availability, and to ensure we have the necessary supplies to serve our patients and our caregivers."

Landry said that included all types of personal protective equipment.

In other COVID-19 news, Dover and Somersworth have agreed to partner with Rochester in monitoring and coordinating their strategies to cope with the pandemic.

One of their initial efforts is to urge residents to support local restaurants who are continuing to serve the public with takeout orders after dining on site was prohibited.

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