COVID-19 has dramatically impacted everyone’s lives.

Blue Ridge Communications understands how vital its role is to the public, and they embrace it.

Keeping its customers connected to news, information, entertainment, school and work is “life-sustaining.”

Over the past two weeks, Blue Ridge has made some changes to how it operates with one goal in mind: keeping everyone connected in the safest manner possible.

To protect you and its co-workers, Blue Ridge has:

• Closed all its retail centers to customer walk-in traffic. At this time, its tentative date to reopen has been adjusted to May 1.

• Implemented self install/trouble calls with its technicians - providing on-site support while maintaining a safe social distance.

• Launched Blue Ridge View to its workforce so it can provide technical support to customers via a video conference sent from them to your smartphone.

• Implemented work from home for the majority of its customer support, while practicing social distancing for those who continue to report to their work location.

• Emphasize the importance of good hygiene and proper hand washing throughout its workforce.

• Increased its paid time off policy to allow employees additional time if they are impacted by COVID-19 or need to care for a family member.

To help you stay connected, Blue Ridge has:

• Launched its Learn From Home Initiative to 47 school districts throughout its service areas, offering an affordable option for families with students at home who did not have access to internet.

• Suspended its data caps for all internet customers for 60 days.

• Suspended disconnects for customers who contact them to express that they have been impacted by COVID-19, in addition to offering flexible payment plans and waiving late fees for 60 days.

• Postponed the planned video rate increase from April 1 to June 1.

• Partnered with over 35 networks to provide additional content in the form of “free previews/trials” to its video customers who qualify. Channels offering “free previews/trials” include EPIX, Nat Geo Wild, Disney Jr., Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, Hallmark, Discovery Family, Showtime and TMC, just to name a few.

Blue Ridge recognizes this is a difficult time for everyone, and is aware how important your connection is. “Blue Ridge’s network and its people are strong and we’ll all get through this together,” the company release said.