Thread by @GovChrisSununu

THREAD: In just the last week, we've taken unprecedented action to combat against the spread of #COVID19, protect New Hampshire families, and provide relief for affected Granite Staters. Here's what you need to know about the steps we've taken:

⚠️On March 13, I declared a State of Emergency in New Hampshire and opened our Emergency Operations Center to ensure a level of consistency, coordination, and preparedness between the state, local emergency management officials, and our healthcare system.

For the good of all Granite Staters and our communities, we've acted quickly to #FlattenTheCurve. Here's the steps we've taken in just a few days:
➡️Emergency Order 1: Transitioned all public schools📚 to remote learning for a three week period

Thanks to the hard work of the Department of Education and @NHEdCommr, many districts across the state were ready to jump into remote learning right away. We've worked with those in need of additional support, and we'll continue to do so.
wmur.com/article/new-ha…

When making this decision, we considered all factors – including access to school nutrition for those on free and reduced lunch. Thanks to early action by the NH Dept of Education, NH was granted three waivers from the @USDA to support schools in providing meals to kids in need.

There are few moments in one’s life that are truly as transformational, and important, as one’s education, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that children across the Granite State can still receive the education they deserve.
seacoastonline.com/opinion/202003…

➡️Emergency Order 2: All restaurants and bars in NH are now serving customers via takeout, delivery, or drive-thru methods only. Scheduled public gatherings over 50 people are prohibited. This action will help slow the spread of #COVID19 in New Hampshire.

🍾Emergency Order 6 allows for closed container beer and wine to be served with your takeout and delivery orders from your favorite New Hampshire restaurants.

Temporarily suspending dine-in eating was not an easy decision to make, but as the @pressroomnh notes, "the sooner we all make these difficult decisions and coordinate preventive efforts, the sooner we will be on the other side of this crisis."
fosters.com/news/20200316/…

There's no denying that #COVID19 has had, and will have, a lasting impact on our economy. I've taken action to help ease the financial burden on affected individuals and Granite State families:

➡️Prohibited utilities from disconnecting or discontinuing services for non-payment for the duration of the State of Emergency
➡️Temporarily prohibited landlords from starting eviction proceedings for those unable to pay due to their financial situations
wmur.com/article/gov-su…

➡️Immediately increased access to unemployment benefits for those who are unable to work or who have reduced hours due to the #COVID19 pandemic.

We also opened up 📲nhes.nh.gov and ☎️603-271-7700 for folks to file new unemployment claims.
concordmonitor.com/New-Hampshire-…

New Hampshire was one of the earliest states in the country to be granted a @SBAgov disaster declaration - good news for our small businesses in need of capital to help weather the impact of the coronavirus. Learn more about that here: sba.gov/funding-progra…

I wrote to @SecAzar and @SeemaCMS requesting the creation of a special 60-90 day open enrollment period so that individuals, especially those most at-risk for #COVID19, can access affordable health coverage.

Read my full letter: governor.nh.gov/news-media/pre…

The State has taken action to increase our testing capacity. Thanks to our efforts, New Hampshire now has one of the highest testing rates per capita in the Nation.

https://twitter.com/natesilver538/status/1240652133986455559?s=21

To ensure that testing is available to all Granite Staters, I ordered NH insurance companies to cover the costs of testing for #COVID19.

This order will help more NH consumers feel confident they can access necessary services without cost barriers.
concordmonitor.com/covid-coronavi…

As this global health crisis develops, ensuring our hospitals remain open, and that individuals can still get the health care they need is paramount. An Emergency Order I issued creates a $50 million fund to help NH hospitals.
unionleader.com/news/health/co…

Ensuring Granite Staters can receive quality health care without having to increase their exposure to #COVID19 is important. That's why I issued an emergency order expanding access to 📞Telehealth Services, ensuring health care practices can continue.
publicnewsservice.org/2020-03-20/sen…

While DMV offices remain open for all transactions, NH DMV 20-day plates as well as NH authorized dealer 20-day plates, issued on or after 3/1/2020 will now be given an automatic extension through 4/30/2020.

Driver licenses & non-driver ID cards that are expired or set to expire between 3/1/2020 & 4/30/2020 will be eligible for a 6-month extension. Customers can call [phone] to complete the 6-month extension and do not need to visit a DMV location.

🚗Walk-in services at the @NH_DMV are now available by appointment only. Read more on the changes to service: wmur.com/article/dmv-ne…

Combating the spread of #COVID19 is a community effort - one that goes beyond any sort of party or ideological difference.

In times of crisis, Granite Staters come together to get the job done. That's why I'm working closely with @SenatorHassan, @SenatorShaheen, @RepAnnieKuster, and @RepChrisPappas to ensure coordination between the state and our federal partners.

concordmonitor.com/What-you-shoul…

While legislative activity is suspended, I remain in close contact with @DonnaSoucy and @NHSpeaker, along with @NHHouseGOP leadership, to address this outbreak and curb the health and economic impacts as much as possible.

unionleader.com/news/politics/…

New Hampshire will see this public health crisis through.

The resiliency and spirit of Granite Staters is unmatched. We work together as neighbors and friends. And when we work together as a community, we do it really, really well. #603Pride