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 HBC 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

In order to adhere to new social distancing guidelines, HBC is announcing several new protocols.

Effective today, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, RS Fiber offices are being 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 set an appointment.

When scheduling equipment related or installation appointments, Customer Care Representatives will be asking a series of health screening questions to access 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.

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.

With area schools closed and shifting to online learning platforms, RS Fiber is offering low-income families, who qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program, 60-days of free broadband service to ensure students have access to the Internet for online learning. Other low-income individuals who qualify for the national Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) can also take advantage of the 60-day free broadband offer. To find out if you qualify, visit rsfiber.coop.

RS Fiber has also made its Community WiFi networks, at both the Gaylord and Winthrop city parks, free for everyone.

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