How to Keep Open Communication with Your Community as Stay-at-Home Orders Are Lifted

As communication professionals and leaders in our community, it’s our job to stay up to date on the news on a federal, state, county, and local level. In our state of North Carolina, stay-at-home orders are starting to be lifted in phases beginning on Friday, May 8^th from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We’ve been working with our community clients to create signage and written communication sharing the intricacies of the three-phase opening to avoid confusion… and chaos.

Below, we’ve compiled some important tips to keep in mind as stay-at-home orders in your state are lifted.

Share Press Releases Directly from Your Governor’s Website

Each state governor has a website with a page dedicated to press releases. This is written, digestible content that links out to the official orders associated with it. By sharing directly from the source, you avoid any misinformation.

Monitor Social Media Comments More Frequently

Your community will inevitably have questions related to restrictions lifting. Try to answer them as best as you can. Consider compiling these questions and answers on an FAQ page on your community website where you can direct traffic. The lifting of restrictions is also creating some strong division in communities. Monitor comments and “hide” those that contain inappropriate language like curse words or hate speech.

Create Temporary Signage with Guidelines

If you haven’t already, consider creating signage to place around frequently visited areas in your community, or areas where large groups tend to congregate. Include information about social distancing and other best practices for continuing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As stay-at-home orders are lifted and spaces begin to re-open, having this in place will communicate preparedness and prioritize public safety.

Keep Safety at the Forefront with COVID-19 Restrictions

This might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s crucial to keep language about health and safety at the forefront of communication about COVID-19 restrictions and plans for re-opening. It is possible to both support small businesses re-opening and care for the health and safety of your community. It’s crucial to include factual information in your communication, but don’t forget to speak from the heart. Your community needs genuine human connection now more than ever.

If you’re overwhelmed as we approach this important transition in our communities, please contact us today. We’re here to provide hourly graphics, copywriting, and strategy to support you during this time.