Covington Electric Cooperative continues to closely monitoring events concerning COVID-19. As previously reported, CEC is conducting its board elections this year through a mail-in balloting process being handled by an independent tabulator. Members should be receiving their voting packets any day now, if they haven’t already. Please be sure to following the voting instructions in the packets. Do NOT submit your ballot at any CEC office.
Regarding the coronavirus, it is important for everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of this virus. While taking protective measures may not prevent people from getting the virus, it can help reduce the number of patients our health care system must treat in a short period of time.
With that in mind, CEC is taking the following steps, in accordance with CDC guidelines, to protect both its employees and its members:
- CEC employees who feel sick are being instructed to stay home.
- CEC is directing employees to cancel any work-related flights, to reschedule any work trips and out of state vacations.
- Employees who work directly with members should avoid shaking hands or making any physical contact.
- CEC is providing additional disinfectant products to employees in the office and posting additional reminders for employees to wash their hands often.
- All employees are asked to take proper precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them.
As more people are being advised to stay home, CEC reminds members to utilize its online payment systems that include the CEC website and app, and the automated phone services where members can pay their bill and conduct other utility business. In addition, CEC encourages all members to take similar steps to protect themselves and their families:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people where possible.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough using the inside of your elbow.
- If you are sick, wear a face mask around other people. If you are not sick or caring for someone who is, you do not need a face mask, and they should be saved for caregivers.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, phones and keyboards daily.
Helping with Economic Hardship
For many industries, the impact of COVID-19 will be felt immediately. Many CEC members may see their incomes impacted as they are told to stay home from work. As a service provider invested in its communities, we are committed to helping CEC members get through these uncertain times. That’s why, CEC suspended all service disconnect orders for non-pay through April 30. This applies to all accounts, post-pay and pre-pay. The co-op is also waiving fees related to arrangements and late payments during this time period. Payments for electric service are still due by the members’ due dates and CEC encourages all members who are not directly impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, to pay their bills on time. This will help avoid larger bills during the next billing cycle that could potentially include two months or more of service.
CEC is still working to determine the date that service disconnects and normal fees will resume. This information will be shared with the CEC members as soon as it is available.
Committed to providing reliable electric service
CEC is very mindful that it operates a critical infrastructure that provides essential electric service to its members. This is a responsibility the co-op takes very seriously and that is why it is taking important measures like those previously listed to help ensure the reliable electric service CEC provides is not be compromised. CEC will continue to update its members regarding possible changes in office procedures, events, etc., through its website and its social media channels.