COVID-19 Update

TO: All TGS Employees and Customers
FROM: The TGS Management Team
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Update
DATE: March 22, 2020, 1:00 PM EST

As things continue to evolve, we will continue to update everyone on our operations.

First, several counties in Tennessee have implemented fourteen (14) day stay at home programs. There is a press article noting that a number of physicians are petitioning the governor to implement a similar restriction for the entire state, possibly starting as early as this evening.

DASMA (Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association) has published this technical bulletin on the COVID -19 issue. https://www.dasma.com/PDF/Publications/TechDataSheets/SpecialBulletin/DASMA_Special_Bulletin_COVID-19.pdf

All manufacturers and dealers are publishing similar bulletins. The garage door industry is considered essential because of the public safety concerns. Whether it is a broken spring at a fire department, a broken receiving door at a grocery store or a home owner with a broken spring who would be unable to leave their home, garage door companies have been included on every state’s list of essential services to date, including California and Pennsylvania.

As we have openly discussed previously, this is an intensely personal decision. There are two major risk factors: the health risk and the economic risk. If any of our employees want to make the decision to stay at home, we support that decision. All that we ask is that you communicate your decision to us. Your job will be here when this crisis eventually subsides.

There are some of you with compromised immune systems an issue for you or your spouse, and some of you with elderly people living with you. We urge you to err on the side of caution. Additionally, if you or anyone in your family has concerning symptoms, stay home and call us. We all need to err on the side of caution.

The economic impact on individuals, businesses and our country will likely be unprecedented. Congress is still working on a package for employees and businesses, but at this point a final package has not been approved. When it is, we will all have at least some clarity on the stimulus package.

For our customers, when reviewing the various guidelines, almost all of our work can be done while following the recommended six foot spacing. A significant world-wide challenge will be serving customers as an essential service provider, and continuing to take advantage of the opportunity to earn an income to provide for our families and communities. If we are working and can share our income with restaurants and other people who are suffering, we can help make the situation better.

We are making one company protocol adjustment, and that is going immediately to a “No Touch Policy.” No paperwork, credit cards, etc. will be touched by both the customer and our employee. We believe this change will provide additional protection to our customers and our employees. We will be continuing to have our doors locked and will ask walk-in customers to call us with parts requests or payment requests. Our intent is to try to continue to serve customers, if we can do so in a safe manner.
We will continue to provide updates as the situation continues to evolve, and at this point, plan to have all four locations open Monday morning, March 23, 2020. In Nashville and Knoxville, we will likely stagger starting times to decrease our group sizes.