Coronavirus

RS Fiber Enacts Protocols to Protect Customers and Employees During Coronavirus Outbreak

March 17, 2020 By Dave Dicke •

RS Fiber Cooperative is committed to the health and well-being of our customers and employees during the Coronoavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In order to adhere to new social distancing guidelines, RS Fiber will be implementing the following protocols:

Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020, RS Fiber offices will be closed to walk-in traffic. An appointment will be required for customers to drop off, pick up or exchange equipment. Customers may contact RS Fiber by calling (800) 628-1754 to make an appointment.

When scheduling equipment related or installation appointments, Customer Care Representatives will be asking a series of health screening questions to assess when an appointment can be made. If anyone in the household has been ill, traveled on an airplane or has traveled outside the country, an appointment will be delayed for a minimum of 14 days per CDC quarantine guidelines.

RS Fiber is committed to providing the highest possible level of service during these difficult times. Our offices will remain staffed and customers will still have access to 24/7 technical support.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate through this crisis together.

RS Fiber to Offer Free Broadband Internet to Eligible Families with Students Amid Coronavirus School Closures

March 17, 2020 By Dave Dicke •

For Immediate Release (03/15/2020)

Gaylord, MN – RS Fiber Cooperative (RS Fiber) will provide two months of free broadband service to eligible low-income households, as a number of Minnesota schools announce closures amid concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Manager of the RS Fiber Network, Winona-based Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc. (HBC) made the announcement Monday morning. HBC President Dan Pecarina said that RS Fiber is taking measures to provide free Internet access to eligible low-income families, who are new customers, and for free community Wi-Fi hotspots.

“RS Fiber will be working with local school districts to accelerate the school system’s referrals of local low-income families to ensure every student has access to vital communications services through the RS Fiber Internet Assistance Program,” Pecarina said. “Families who live in RS Fiber member communities and townships can sign up for the program through the school system.”

“RS Fiber is a strong supporter of K-12 education,” said Pecarina. “It is important to all families, schools, and communities that every child is provided the access to on-line learning offered by local school districts.”

RS Fiber is prepared to move quickly to install broadband service to new subscriber families to ensure students aren’t left behind as schools suspend classes and move to on-line learning amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Free Community WiFi Hot Spots will be located in Gaylord at Gaylord Park and in Winthrop at Winthrop Park to provide additional Internet access for the general public.

RS Fiber COVID-19 Preparedness

March 12, 2020 By Sondra Howard •

To our customers,

With the increase in the number of Coronavirus cases, we want to ensure you we are taking steps to protect our employees and customers. We continue to monitor closely the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, named “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19). At this time, no one knows how severe this outbreak will be. Given this uncertainty, and the fact that the seasonal influenza (flu) virus is also widespread, we are taking proactive steps to limit the spread of illness.

Staff are following RS Fiber guidelines for:

Hand sanitizers
Clorox wipes for disinfecting work surfaces & electronic devices (mobile phone, laptops)
Other protections such as disposable rubber gloves and face masks when needed
Self-imposed work from home as a precaution for employees who have traveled by air or cruise ship or who have a known exposure

We are following CDC recommendations such as requiring employees to:

Stay at home if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms, fever, and other flu-like symptoms
Wash hands frequently with soap and water and make use of alcohol-based sanitizers
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as telephones, keyboards, and tools

You may notice employees such as installers, in-home repair technicians, and front lobby personnel wearing gloves and/or masks as they perform their day-to-day activities. In addition, service technicians who enter homes are also equipped with disposable boot covers.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation. Protecting the health of our customers, employees, visitors to our facility, and others is our utmost priority. Together, we can limit the risk of spreading illness in the workplace and community.

Thank you,

The RS Fiber Team

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