Yesterday Governor Whitmer announced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will put a number of new restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions begin this Wednesday, Nov. 18 and will remain in effect through December 8.
Given this recent announcement, I wanted to take a moment to update you on how these restrictions impact Forward Corp, our business operations, and our employees:
- The new restrictions prohibit in-person dining, which means our Subways will move to take-out and drive thru only. This is similar to how most locations operated in the spring, so I anticipate the transition will be straightforward with little to no changes.
- For the LumberJack, we plan on keeping the restaurant open for take-out. We will also pilot a delivery option available to our hotel guests and businesses in the area. This will represent a change from the spring mandate when the LumberJack was closed during similar dine-in restrictions. While we intend to keep staff on hand to support our take-out efforts, unfortunately some employees will be impacted. We will continue to evaluate the feasibility of operating take-out only and will provide updates as they are available.
Beyond that, all other operations will continue as normal or with slight modifications. These new restrictions are not a stay-at-home order and have a set end date, which provides more clarity than what we had in the spring. Still, we recognize the ever-changing nature of these times and will monitor all aspects of our business carefully in the days and weeks ahead.
In the meantime, you can do your part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by being diligent in following our health and safety protocols. This includes filling out your daily symptom checker, washing your hands, wearing a mask, and – above all else – contacting your manager BEFORE coming to work if you are feeling ill.
I know these new restrictions have left many feeling unsettled as we head towards more uncertainty. But in the week of our Give Thanks recognition program, I think it is important to remain thankful for each other and our resiliency. And please know that I remain forever thankful to all of you for what you do for Forward.
Stay safe and stay healthy.
Abby Moniz
President, Forward Corp.